Deadlines approach for local scholarships

Mat-Su Schools Foundation is offering two academic scholarships this year, a new $2,500 Dr. Kenneth Burnley Memorial Scholarship and, for the third year, a $1,000 Dr. Curtis D. Menard Memorial Scholarship.

Dr. Kenneth Burnley Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley devoted his adult life to education. During his distinguished career, Dr. Burnley served as a teacher, assistant principal, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Improvements in student achievement were a hallmark of his career, and he led many school districts through some of the most difficult challenges in their histories, including the areas of curriculum and instruction, management and finance. In 2010, Dr. Burnley relocated his family to Alaska to serve as superintendent of schools for the Mat-Su Borough School District.

Thanks to a donation from Eileen Burnley, Dr. Burnely’s wife, the Mat-Su Schools Foundation will offer a $2,500 academic scholarship in his memory.

Eileen Burnley has requested the scholarship it be directed to a student planning to further his or her academic studies beyond high school here in Alaska. She would also like the student to outline how he or she intends to give back to Alaska upon completion of studies. Payment of the scholarship will be made directly to the educational institution.

To apply for this scholarship, submit a one-page, 250-word essay by the April 15 deadline that addresses all of the following questions:

• Who are you?

• At what school do you want to further your education in Alaska?

• What subject or area of interest do you wish to pursue at this school?

• How does this school provide for study in this subject?

• What do you want to do in general with your Alaska education?

• How do you plan to return to our state some of what you learn in your studies?

The scholarship committee will interview finalists in April and announce the award during graduation. Applications can be emailed to: BurnleyScholarship@matsuschoolsfoundation.org, or mailed with postmark dated prior to April 15 to: Linda Conover, Mat-Su School Foundation, 7362 W. Parks Hwy. No. 782, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Curtis D. Menard Memorial Scholarship

The Dr. Curtis D. Menard Memorial Scholarship is designed to encourage individuals who are first-time college students or enrolling in a vocational program, or students pursuing professional development that leads to a degree or certification.

Sen. Curtis Menard and his wife Sen. Linda Menard both volunteered endless hours in the Mat-Su schools while raising their five children. Curtis also served as a Mat-Su Borough School District School Board member.

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Mat-Su Borough School District senior. The scholarship committee will interview finalists in April and announce the award during graduation. Applications are due April 15.

Applications can be emailed to MenardScholarship@matsuschoolsfoundation.org or mailed with postmark dated prior to April 15 to: Linda Conover, Mat-Su School Foundation, 7362 W. Parks Hwy. No. 782, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Scholarship applications are available online and at local high schools. The application weighs each applicant’s scholastic achievement, community service, letters of reference and financial plan. Although the scholarships aren’t based on need, students complete a financial plan, estimating their projected income and college or trade school expenses.

Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship

Alaska high school graduates who will be the first in their immediate families to attend college or university can apply for tuition assistance from the Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship offered by The Alaska Community Foundation.

To be eligible, applicants must be graduates of an Alaska high school or equivalent, and be the first in their immediate family to attend a college or university. Applicants must attend, or plan to attend, an eligible college or university.

The scholarship awards $7,500 to the successful applicant’s university to cover the student’s education expenses. The scholarship may be renewed for up to five years for students in good standing who maintain a 2.5 grade point average. Students may submit applications until May 31 on the scholarship page of the foundation’s website, alaskacf.org. Final awards will be announced by August.

The scholarship was created to honor Thorpe, a trustee and executive director of the Murdock Charitable Trust. A humble and quiet man, Thorpe had a dry sense of humor, keen wit and a hearty and infectious laugh. He is remembered as a person with strong faith, personal integrity and a deep love for his family.