Woodland scholarships increased to $2,500

Woodland — Woodland Public Schools introduced a new scholarship fund, the 50-for-20 Scholarship Awards, which will give away $2,500 to 20 graduating seniors annually. The scholarships will go to students looking to further education after graduating from universities, community colleges, vocational schools and trade schools. This year’s applicants thought they were applying for $250 awards from the Woodland High School Scholarship Trust Fund, the same amount as prior years. The district’s board approved the plan to change the scholarship program, and the trust fund decided to increase the scholarship amount. “A $250 gift simply doesn’t provide as much assistance in today’s economy as it did when the trust was established more than 30 years ago,” Steve Madsen, board member from District 5, said in a release. “However, a $2,500 gift can pay for two full-time quarters of tuition at a community college or substantially reduce the cost of a vocational program, truly providing recipients with the opportunity to pursue higher education following high school.” To continue providing for the annual fundraiser, the committee will have an ongoing fundraising campaign to encourage staff members, community members and local businesses to contribute the scholarship awards. This year, American Paper Converting Inc., a Woodland business, provided $10,000 to the scholarship fund.