Scholarships Outside the GFPS Foundation

Audrey Wilbur Ewing Registered Nursing Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by: D.A. Davidson
Offered at: CMR and GFH

Audrey was a woman of many talents. She was a great gardener, exceptional cook, and a fantastic seamstress, but her greatest joy through the years was nursing. Audrey retired from a nursing career but she never quit nursing, she was always a nurse. Never having children, Audrey nursed birds and her pets. When she got sick with cancer, she knew how important it was to a patient to have a caring and well educated nurse helping with their care. She expected nothing more than how she would have treated any patient of hers.

Audrey was a surgical nurse for one of the best known doctors in Billings, Dr. Albino Marchello. Dr. Marchello expected the best treatment from his nurses and she gave that. Due to her love of nursing she wanted to set up a Scholarship that would help young, dedicated individuals reach their goal in the nursing field. Audrey wants to be remembered as a person who believed nursing was the greatest career choice of all.

Big Blue

Scholarship Sponsored by: Bison Boosters
Offered at: GFH

The Big Blue Scholarship, sponsored by Bison Boosters, is awarded annually to one senior boy and one senior girl who best exemplify what it means to be a Bison. Students who contribute in the classroom, participate in extra- and/or co-curricular activities, and share the belief in Pride and Tradition that means so much to our school are considered for this award. Students must carry at least a 3.0 GPA and be college bound. Winners join a long line of contributors to our school and community.

Cascade County Deputy Sheriff’s Association

Scholarship Sponsored by: Cascade County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Offered at: CMR, GFH, and PGEC

The Cascade County Deputy Sheriff's Association awards two $1,250.00 scholarships to graduating seniors in Cascade County who are vigorously dedicated to the betterment of their community. Winners are selected based on the evaluation of the student's letter of application, educational goals and accomplishments, and their strong commitment to building a better Cascade County.

AWARD: Two selected students will each receive a scholarship of $1,250.00.
INSTITUION: Any field of study, at any 2- or 4-year accredited institution or vocational training center.
ELIGIBILITY: Graduating high school seniors within Cascade County who are vigorously dedicated to the betterment of their community,
SELECTION PROCESS: Selection by various members of the CCDSA based on the evaluation of the student's letter of application, educational goals and accomplishments, and their strong commitment to building a better Cascade County.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit a letter of application describing the student's personal background, their educational accomplishments and goals for higher education, and their pursuits and dedication to better their community through public service; a copy of their school transcript, and two letters of endorsement from school or community members.

Cascade County DUI Task Force Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: Cascade County DUI Task Force
Offered at: CMR, GFH, and PGEC

The Cascade County DUI Task Force awards two $1,000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors in Cascade County who have had involvement with substance abuse, either personally, within their immediate family or through organizations promoting a substance-free lifestyle. Scholarship winners are picked based on the student’s letter of request, experience, educational accomplishments, interest and desire to further their education.

CCFB Women's Leadership

Scholarship Sponsored by: American Farm Bureau

More than a third of American farmers and ranchers today are women, with a growing number becoming powerful advocates for modern agriculture. The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership program provides women with opportunities for growth and development to sharpen their skills and strengthen their ability to inspire change.

Class Of '68 Monte Dolack Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: GFH Class of ‘68
Offered at: GFH

At the Class of 1968's 30th reunion, Monte Dolack, member of the Class of 1968, was asked to do a painting of a buffalo in the Great Falls High School building. This painting, named "Montana History Lesson," was then given to Great Falls High School as a class gift. Prints of the painting were sold and proceeds from that sale fund a scholarship for a GFHS senior who excels in fine arts: sketching, drawing, painting, creative arts, ceramics, sculpture, stagecraft or drama. The $500 scholarship must be used at a Montana university or college.

CMR Class of 1982-1983 Most Outstanding Senior

Scholarship Sponsored by: GFPS District
Offered at: CMR High School

Each year, administrators select five (5) names to put on a ballot for most outstanding senior. The senior class then votes for one of those five students as their class’ MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR. The student would be selected for qualities such as: citizenship, scholarship, honor, and community and high school involvement.

CMR Partners

Scholarship Sponsored by: CMR Partners
Offered at: CMR High School

CMR Partners membership includes parents, alumni, grandparents, neighbors, teachers, staff, administrators and community partners. Through various fundraising activities, Partners provides funds for classroom grants, sports and club grants, senior scholarships and other projects that may need support during the year.

Derek John Dowson Memorial Scholar/Athlete Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by: Dowson Family
Offered at: GFH

The Derek John Dowson Fund was established by the family of Derek Dowson to honor his memory. Derek was taken in a farm accident in the summer after his sophomore year. The life of Derek Dowson was too short, but the accomplishments in those years were that of a long life.

Derek’s passions in life were Family, Friends, School, and Sports. He was a 4.0 student through Jr. High and High School. He was very talented in sports. His sophomore year he started outside linebacker and tight end positions on the Varsity Football Team and received Academic All-State and Honorable Mention Awards. In Basketball, he was sixth man on the Varsity team. He received the Jeff Wiggins Memorial Most Improved Player Award. In Track his freshman and sophomore years, he ran the 400m run and the 4x1600m relay and received All-State Awards in the 4x1600m relay both years.

The life of Derek Dowson was marked by his amazing ability to get the best out of everything he did whether it was being a friend, playing sports or in school. He did everything 110% and was living proof if you give life that 110%, anything can be accomplished.

Fred and Marie Barnard Scholarship Trust

Scholarship Sponsored by: US Bank
Offered at: CMR and GFH

The Fred and Marie Barnard Scholarship was established in 1976. The funds comprising this scholarship award came in part from the sale of the Barnard’s Drug Store, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Barnard located on 904 Central Avenue West. Annual awards for this scholarship are based on the net income available for distribution to be used each year, in which the amount and number is determined by U. S. Bank, N.A. Trustee. The scholarships are provided for worthy graduating seniors from accredited high schools in Great Falls, Montana, who are interested in attending an institution of higher learning, and who would do so with a modest amount of help. Scholarship winners are chosen for this award based on GPA with consideration for class load and difficulty of subjects taken, need, and volunteerism.

Gene Ghekiere Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: Family
Offered at: GFH

The Gene Ghekiere Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a graduating GFHS senior who has a 3.0 GPA, is involved in high school sports for at least 3 years, and is involved in community service . The recipient receives a scholarship in the amount of $500 to be used at any accredited four-year college in the United States. Preference is given to female applicants.

Gladys G. Gerrity Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: US Bank
Offered at: CMR and GFH

Gladys G. Gerrity, a wonderful lady who was passionate about education, passed away in May 2013. During her life, she was an educator and corporate executive. She traveled the world learning the culture and meeting the people of whatever country she visited. In her later years she tutored local school children and participated in school reading programs. The purpose of this award is to provide funds for graduating seniors from CMR, GFHS and GF Central High School who have a financial need and have not received another major scholarship. It can be renewed based on the student meeting certain performance requirements. Recipients are selected by a scholarship committee and school principal based on economic need, maintenance of at least a "C" average freshman through senior year of high school, good moral character. Student must also maintain a “C” average or better while attending college and carry enough credits to receive a bachelor’s degree upon the completion of four years of college.

Recipients will be selected by a scholarship committee and school principal based on:
• Economic need
• Recipient shall not have received or be receiving any other substantial scholarship grants
• Maintenance of at least a "C" average freshman through senior year of high school.
• Recipient must be of good moral character

Eligibility requirements for years 2, 3, and 4:
• Student has maintained not less than a C average while attending college or university
• Student has carried sufficient credits to graduate and receive a bachelor’s degree upon the completion of four years of college or university attendance
• Recipient must be financially in need of assistance as measured by the State of Montana Financial Aid Office
• Student has been attending a college or university for consecutive years without a lapse in attendance for any intervening school year or years.

Hampton Collins Memorial Foundation Scholarships-Citizenship

Scholarship Sponsored by: GFPS District
Offered at: CMR and GFH

Each high school awards two good citizen scholarships each year. One male and one female student are selected by the school principal to receive this award. Students are chosen based on need, no record of drugs or drinking, honesty, dependability, respect for fellow men, women and country and a GPA of C or better.

There are to be four (4) good citizen college scholarships. Two (2) such scholarships shall go to seniors at Great Falls High School and two (2) such scholarships shall go to seniors at C.M. Russell High School. Each school shall award a scholarship to one (1) senior boy and one (1) senior girl. The recipients shall be selected by the school dean. The money shall be used for college.

The dean or his designee shall use the following criteria in selecting recipients, to-wit:
• Need
• No record of drugs or drinking
• Honesty
• Dependability
• Respect for his fellow men, women and country
• Grade level of no lower than C.

For the establishment of four (4) music scholarships. Two (2) such scholarships shall go to seniors at Great Falls High School and two (2) such scholarships shall go to seniors at C.M. Russell High School. Each school shall award one (1) scholarship to a student that excels in voice and one (1) to a student that excels in piano or stringed instrument. The recipients shall be selected by the head of the music department at each school. The student need only have a "C" average.

Hampton Collins Memorial Foundation Scholarship-Voice & Instrument

Each high school awards two good citizen scholarships each year. One male and one female student are selected by the school principal to receive this award. Students are chosen based on need, no record of drugs or drinking, honesty, dependability, respect for fellow men, women and country and a GPA of “C” or better.

K. Louise Bardwell Memorial Elementary Scholarship Award

Scholarship Sponsored by: D.A. Davidson
Offered at: CMR

K. Louise Bardwell was born in Great Falls. She was educated in Great Falls Public Schools starting with kindergarten in the Hawthorn (later Collins) in Black Eagle. After graduating from high school in 1930, the last class to graduate from the old high school now known as Paris Gibson Square, Louise went on to attend Elmira College in Elmira, NY graduating in 1934 with a BA degree Magna Cum Laude. In spite of having a Secondary Teaching Certificate she found she thoroughly enjoyed working with groups of young children. She enrolled in the Great Falls College of Education for a year's study in Elementary Education.

Her first teaching position was second grade in the old Lincoln School on the lower south side. She went on to teach remedial reading programs for the intermediate grades, a program in which she taught for three years before accepting the position of consultant for the primary grades, a position she held until her retirement in 1972 completing thirty four years with the Great Falls School System. Her wishes were to help someone have the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and continue to be an inspiration and role model for the youth.

Leroy Bleek Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: GFPS District
Offered at: CMR

Each year, outstanding world language students are chosen to receive $150 from the LeRoy Bleek Memorial Scholarship. These students are chosen, not only because of their scholastic ability in the world language classes, but also because of their attitude and character, willingness to learn and participate, as well as their intentions to continue the study of languages. LeRoy Bleek, who was a former German and Latin teacher at CMR, hoped that this award would be an inspiration for those students who loved the study of languages enough to continue, and perhaps pursue, a career where they would use this knowledge.

Mabel Wilson Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: Family
Offered at: GFH

Mabel Wilson came to Montana in the 1940's. She taught math at the old Paris Gibson Junior High School and became a counselor at East Junior High School in 1959, retiring in 1971. Mabel never had children of her own, but considered her students as her children. At the insistence of close friends and fellow educators Gene and Bev Townsend, Mabel established a scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for 4 years of college education. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is majoring or minoring in education, counseling or mathematics.

Malmstrom Spouses Club Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: Malmstrom Spouses’ Club

Every year, The Malmstrom Spouses’ Club (MSC) awards scholarships to outstanding dependents of the Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard Station located in Great Falls, MT. The number and amount, as well as the total number of scholarships offered, are based on funds raised through the MSC’s various fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Pearl Matteson Award

Scholarship Sponsored by: GFPS District
Offered at: CMR and GFH

The Pearl Matteson Award is given to a senior Advisement Center Office Aide who has proven to be a hard worker, plans to attend post-secondary school, and has been a positive member of the C.M.R. student body. The winner of this award is chosen by the Advisement Center Secretary and is in the amount of $225.00.

Ralph Haugse Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: US Bank
Offered at: CMR and GFH

On August 11, 2009, Alta Haugse passed away and with her passing the Ralph Haugse Memorial Trust was established. The funds comprising this scholarship award came in part from the sale of Ralph’s rental business (Leland Apartments), owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Haugse on four lots on 1st Avenue North and 7th Street. The purpose of this award is to provide funds for graduating seniors from any accredited high school located in Great Falls, Montana. Students are selected based on economic need, educational goals, and GPA. The recipient of the Ralph Haugse Memorial Scholarship must maintain a "C" average while in college and must carry at least 12 credits per semester.

Studio 706 Artist's Guild

Scholarship Sponsored by: Studio 706
Offered at: CMR, GFH, and PGEC

Local artists and supporters interested in promoting art through education offer a scholarship each year to Cascade County High School seniors based on their artistic merit and educational objectives and who are majoring in Art Studies. Studio 706 Artist’s Guild features applicant’s art work in a special section of their spring show during Great Falls Art Week.

Suhr Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by: US Bank
Offered at: CMR and GFH

Isadora Alvira Huff was born August 8, 1898, in Independence, Wisconsin. She graduated from Independence High School in 1916 and went on to attend LaCrosse State Teachers College, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She graduated in 1918 with a major in Physical Education. In 1928 she joined the Great Falls High School faculty where she became head of the Physical Education Department until she retired. On January 22, 1947, Isadora married Carl H. Suhr, the local owner of the Mayflower Moving Company in Great Falls. The Suhr family has established a scholarship to be awarded to CMR/GFH graduating seniors who are in need of financial assistance. The recipients will be eligible for a four year continuous scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year, contingent on funds and grades. Students are selected based on financial need, scholastic standing, citizenship, personality, leadership ability, perseverance and resourcefulness.

Purpose-For students attending accredited colleges, completing a four-year curriculum resulting in a Bachelor’s degree.

Provisions-Awards will be based on the recommendations of school principal and his scholarship committee. Recipients selected from graduating seniors primarily based on financial need and further considering scholastic standing, citizenship, personality, leadership ability, perseverance and resourcefulness.

Eligibility Requirements-Recipient must have completed freshman through senior years in not more than 4.5 school years. Recipients must have a 3.00 GPA average for all four years of high school. Recipients must be financially in need of assistance as demonstrated on applicant’s response of need for scholarship. A seventh semester transcript must be provided along with one letter of recommendation.

Award-This scholarship is renewable each year, up to four years. A 3.00 GPA average is required for each of the four years of college.

Scholarship Qualifications:
1. Applicant must be a CMR graduating senior.
2. Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
3. The applicant must demonstrated leadership and good citizenship.
4. The applicant must provide a current transcript posting 7th semester grades.
5. The applicant must submit one letter of recommendation.
6. The application needs to be returned to the Advisement Center.

Val Knight Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by: Val Knight Studio

Our Pottery business, Val Knight Studio, originated over fifty years ago when Val Knight, Kay’s mother, established her art studio. Val was a multimedia artist as a painter and as a “one of a kind” potter. It was her creation of the House Angel figurine that was the foundation of our pottery business and lead us to where we are today. We now make over twenty five pottery figurines, all in what Val referred to as “in the abstract and whimsical” theme. Many years ago Kay worked with her mother and learned the process of crafting pottery figurines on the potters wheel as well as mastering the skill of hand building specialized pottery figurines.

When Val decided to concentrate on painting rather than continuing with the pottery she gave her blessings to Kay to continue the pottery business. When Val passed away in 1990 we retained the Val Knight Studio name in her honor. Kay expanded the pottery business and upon marrying Reg the number of pottery figurines were expanded again. We enjoy working with clay and making and creating new pottery figurines and we hope whoever receives one of our figurines enjoys having it as much as we have enjoyed making it. It is a special keepsake that can be passed from generation to generation.

—Reg and Kay Wearley