We’re kicking off the new year with one of our favorite things: awarding scholarships! This month, the SR Education Group Scholarship Committee has selected winners for two of our scholarship programs, the Graduate Programs Scholarship and the Scholarship for Minority Students. Over 1,000 students applied, but continue reading and you’ll see why our winners stood out.
SR Education Group Scholarship for Minority Students: Marie Mellick and Dreson Russell
Dreson Russell and Marie Mellick have each been awarded $5,000 as the winners of our Scholarship for Minority Students.
Marie is studying Natural Resources with an emphasis in land and livestock at the University of Idaho. After she graduates, she would like to work with her home tribe’s natural resources department and start a program focused on creating healthier diets with native foods and domestic meat sources. We were impressed with Marie’s drive to overcome financial obstacles, complete her education, and start working in her community.
Upon hearing she had been selected as one of our winners, Marie said, “It means so much to be given the opportunity to study Natural Resources and pass this opportunity to others in the future!”
Dreson is studying biomedical sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and would like to attend medical school in order to become a surgeon. His post-graduation plans also include volunteering with the African Impact Team, helping them bring essential healthcare to rural parts of Africa. Derson has excelled academically despite significant personal hardships, and we were especially inspired by his proven motivation to work hard towards his goals while contributing to the health and wellbeing of others.
“Receiving this scholarship will help reduce my financial burdens and provide assistance for me as I continue pursuing my education,” Dreson said after hearing he had been selected, “Thank you again for your thoughtful and generous gift.”
Graduate Programs Scholarship Contest: Kristin Heersche
Kristin Heersche has been selected as the winner of our $2,500 Graduate Programs Scholarship Contest. She’s in the criminal justice master’s program at Northeastern State University and is working two jobs to help pay for her degree. “...This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies and worry less about how I’m going to pay for my education,” Kristin said after hearing she’d won the Graduate Programs scholarship.
We’re so proud of all three of you, and wish you the best as you continue working to further your education. Students who may have missed the deadlines or weren’t selected this time around, we encourage you to apply to our next round of scholarships! Our scholarship committee is currently accepting applications for the $2,500 Community College Scholarship and the $5,000 Military Scholarship. Check out our website for details and apply today!