For almost three decades, graduating high school parishioners from St. Peter the Fisherman Church have been recognized, honored and presented with scholarships during Mass the Sunday preceding commencement.
The seniors are called up to the front, most in their caps and gowns of varied colors, depending on which high school they are graduating from. Awards are handed out for many parish activities as well as diocesan recognitions. On top of that, if they meet certain requirements, they are awarded St. Peter Religious Education scholarships of up to $3,000 paid over the first six semesters of college.
This year, St. Peter awarded 12 scholarships and a Council of Catholic Women scholarship to students who will be going to colleges and universities throughout the state and country.
“St. Peter’s began the St. Peter’s PRE Scholarship Program in 1982, 27 years ago,” Christine Langley, director of religious education for seventh through 12th grade, told the parishioners at Mass May 17. “Since that date, St. Peter’s has given 174 scholarships to high school graduating seniors. As of this date, St. Peter’s has awarded $382,400 in scholarships.”
The only requirement for the parish scholarship is that students maintain a 2.5 grade point average, that they have attended parish religious education classes through 12th grade, attending at least 75 percent of the classes, and have received the sacrament of confirmation, Langley said. In addition, they have to perform between 18 and 20 hours of service each year in the church or community.
Once in college, the student must continue to maintain the 2.5 GPA, be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 hours and reapply every semester, submitting a copy of a transcript.
There is no limit on the number of scholarships awarded, as long as they meet the requirements, Langley added.
“If 10 apply one year and all qualify, we give all 10 scholarships,” she said. “The parish does not want to limit the number of students supported. We support all the youth and do not try to make it a competition.”
When the scholarship was first started, the value of the scholarship was $200 and has grown over the years. The amount is allotted within the parish budget every year. It is a commitment the parish decided to make many years ago, Langley said. Once, when the parish was in the process of building a new parish center, there was some talk about discontinuing the scholarship, but there was overwhelming support in the parish to continue the program, she said.
Scholarship recipients must be active in the parish, she added. Through the years, the students have been altar servers, ushers and members of the choir. Others attend summer Catholic work camps or do babysitting at the Christian Clinic.
“Last year, a student mowed grass for an elderly neighbor,” Langley said. “He did not take money for it, he got hours for that.”
Brendan Shay graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1999 and was a recipient of one of those scholarships. He attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.
“It was very important,” Shay said of the scholarship. “Tuition was high at the schools I went to and every little bit helped, especially the first couple of semesters, to pay for books, art supplies. When I was at Savannah, art supplies would be over $1,000 sometimes.”
Having to accomplish the goals for the scholarship made him a better Catholic.
“It gives you something to strive for,” he said. As a young kid, community service does not really attract you. But when you do it, you definitely get a feeling of service, of helping your fellow man. Definitely, being able to give back to the Church is a huge thing.”
