Jim Wiant, back row center, member of the national IOOF Scholarship Selection Committee, recently traveled to Jackson, Wyo., to go through applicants for scholarships. The applicants are narrowed down to 26 scholarship recipients.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and Rebekahs Educational Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee met to select students for scholarships May 29 through June 2.
The committee, including Saratogan Jim Wiant, and six members from other states, met in Jackson for three days to choose 26 scholarship recipients from across the country. Eight different types of scholarships, totaling to $92,500, were awarded to 26 applicants.
Wiant said there were 250 to 300 applicants to sort through, and that scholarship amounts were from $1,000 to $15,000.
"Applicants had to have completed their first year of college, and we looked at things like decent grades, clubs they belonged to, sports and other school activities, of if they were an Eagle Scout," he said. "The scholarship is really based on leadership, like if they were an officer or president in an organization. Some of the applicants really stand out, and we have had repeat applicants."
Wiant said there were three scholarships given to students working on their master's or doctorate in humanities. First place received $15,000, second place was given $6,000 and third place was honored with $4,000.
Wiant said the organization's executive director will send out letters of notification to those who were chosen for scholarships within the next week.
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