January 28, 2014 (Woodstock, VA)
Central High School Graduates Join Together to Create New Scholarship
Central High School alumnus, Steve Shipp and his friends thought current graduates could use some help. So they started talking to their classmates from the Class of ’78 and they soon had teamed up with the Shenandoah Community Foundation to create the CHS Class of 1978 Memorial Fund, established by alumni of the class of ’78 and friends in memory of departed classmates.
The group’s motivation for creating the scholarship is summed up beautifully in a quote by Forest Whitcraft which they referenced in a letter to classmates requesting help:
One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much I had in my bank nor what my clothes looked like. … but the world may be… a little better because… I was important in the life of a child.
Central High School’s Principal, Melissa Hensley is delighted and grateful. “As the cost of higher education continues to rise our students are now, more than ever, in need of financial assistance to provide them the opportunity to pursue their educational and career goals,” according Hensley.
Mark Getz who graduated from Central in 1978 and coordinated with the Foundation on creating the scholarship, is hoping that this won’t be the only new scholarship created for Central. “We’d love to encourage other classes to follow suit,” said Getz.
The Central High School Class of ’78 intends to work to grow this scholarship quickly. Fund raising efforts are in early stages but the first scholarship award will be made this this year and every year thereafter. As more money is donated, the award amount will grow.
“It’s wonderful to think that these generous contributions will still be having a positive effect on students long after the donors are gone. That is the power of this kind of giving,” said SCF Program Coordinator, Jeanne Russell.
Those wishing to contribute can send checks directly to: Shenandoah Community Foundation ATTN: CHS Class of ’78 Memorial Fund P.O. Box 31 Woodstock, VA 22824 For more information about the Shenandoah Community Foundation, visit: www.ShenandoahCF.org or call (540) 459-7737.