2008 WAMS Jon and Lucille Sams
Memorial Scholarship Fund Awards

CONGRATULATIONS!

• Victoria Standley
• Sierra Hurtado
• Russell Hurtado

Sumitted by Ted Johnson

The 1st annual, educational assistance award recipients, of the Jon and Lucille Sams Scholarship Program, were announced at the May 1st, General Meeting.

Victoria Standley submitted an application for assistance to attend "Young Rockhounds" Camp at Hancock Field Station offered by the Science Camps and Adventures Program, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Sierra and Russell Hurtado both submitted applications for assistance to attend "Beach"-ology, a Marine geosciences class offered by the Saturday Academy program at Oregon State University.

Each of these programs are one week long. One is in June and the other in August.  Partial funding was offered to all three awardees, with Board concurrence and all three accepted.  The Scholarship Committee had $338.00 to award and by partial funding, was able to assist all three applicants to attend the activities they selected.

Your purchase of raffle tickets at the general meeting each month and participation in other events that may be scheduled in support of the Scholarship fund, through the remainder of this year, December 31, 2008, will determine the amount available to award next May, 2009.  Another way to be a part of the financial growth of this program would be to make a, tax deductible cash donation to the Scholarship Fund.

As the Jon and Lucille Sams Scholarship Program evolves and matures, the committee expects to make changes to the application and award processes and decisions, always with the goal of assisting individuals (juniors at this time) to attend quality courses, activities, and programs, which further the knowledge and interest in rocks, minerals, fossils, geology and earth sciences.

The Scholarship Committee encourages each of you to give us your ideas regarding activities and events that can be used to raise money for the scholarship fund.  Get your ideas to any of the Scholarship Committee members, Members at Large, or the Board Members, who will pass it along to the Scholarship Committee, and we will give it consideration.  If you are willing, please include your name, in case the committee has questions regarding your idea.

The Scholarship Committee will continue to meet throughout the year to improve and fine tune the process for this portion of the Club’s Educational Program.