STE. GENEVIEVE – Thirteen students from Valle and Ste Genevieve High Schools gathered with their counselors to receive awards from the Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve at the May 11th meeting held at the VFW Hall, and catered by Rozier’s Country Mart. The Club offers a variety of competitions each year that advance the educational opportunities of local students.
Several scholarship awards are made available to students at both local high schools each year. The first is for graduating seniors: The Helen Smith Scholarship provides $500 and the Young Woman’s Scholarship provides $500 towards the cost of higher education for the successful applicants at each high school. This year the Young Woman’s Scholarship was made in memory of lifelong learner and GFWC Booster Club member Bob Gustafson. Statewide scholarships, the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership and the Sophomore Pilgrimage, are awarded to students for programs that promote good citizenship and leadership.
The Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) was held in June at the University of Central Missouri campus. The Seminar seeks to give student government leaders, academic achievers, athletes, and others the opportunity to learn about topics that impact their lives today and in the future. The approximate cost is $300 per student.
The Sophomore Pilgrimage includes a visit to Jefferson City and the State Legislature. Students met local Representative Bryant Wolfin. Local student Luther Sellers led the opening prayer at the luncheon meeting where the Secretary of State and other state officials spoke.
Each year, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve also sponsors a Youth Writing Contest. The local winning entries were forwarded to the GFWC State Writing Chairman for judging results at the April 17-19 State Convention in Cape Girardeau. The finalists at both the local and state level were invited to the Club’s meeting where they received their award certificates and lunch. Writings by First Place Poetry, Gabriel Bley and First Place Short Story, Ella Ritter were sent on to GFWC International for judging in the International Contest.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve is proud to provide these significant opportunities to local students each year.
Scholarship Winners: Front Row: Kennedy Bowen SGH HOBY Leadership Scholarship, Eleanor McKlin SGH Helen Smith Scholarship, Cecilia Mooney SGH Young Woman’s Scholarship, MacKenzie Buchheit VHS Helen Smith Scholarship, Back Row: Alexander Brantner SG Middle School MAFA Summer Music Camp Scholarship, Luther Sellers, Jr., VHS Sophomore Pilgrimage, Finn McClard SGH Sophomore Pilgrimage, and Lydia Brown VHS Young Woman’s Scholarship.
Writing Contest Winners: Front Row: Lydia Brown VHS 2nd Short Story (state) 1st Short Story (local), Emily Merrifield SGH 3rd Poetry (state) 1st Poetry (local), Ella Ritter 1st Short Story (state and local), Back Row: Gabriel Bley SGH 1st Poetry (state and local), Tristan Keith 2nd Short Story (state and local), and Josephine Guilford 3rd Short Story (state) 2nd Short Story (local). Not pictured, Agustin Enriquez SGH 3rd Short Story (local)