NC alumna hopes others set up scholarships

Sometimes, an unexpected bounty can touch lives far beyond its original purpose.

Consider North Central High School’s class of 1940. Along with the class of ‘41, class members met for a 50-year reunion. Before the meeting, a planning committee had sent invitations and requests for donations to cover the cost of the three-day event.

Helen Kirk Eldenburg, one of the planners, recently looked back at that special weekend.

“It lasted three full days, starting with an open house on Friday,” she said. “On Saturday, we had a catered breakfast at the Looff Carrousel, then a golf tournament, then a formal banquet on Saturday night. Sunday, we had a brunch, then an ice-cream social by the pool.”

The approximately 500 who attended – including spouses and a few teachers – came from across the country.

After all expenses had been tallied, a surprising discovery was made: A substantial amount of money was left over from the donations for the reunion.

Suggestions flowed for how to use the cash. After donating $2,000 for landscaping at the school, there still was money left over. Classmates decided to use the money to start a scholarship for North Central graduates.

Janie Umphrey, career specialist at NC, has administered the fund from the beginning.

“They started with a $500 scholarship in 1992,” she recalled.

Umphrey said money has been awarded to deserving students every year since then, with some recent beneficiaries receiving as much as $1,000.

“This is a great scholarship for students who may not qualify for any others,” she said.

The classes of ‘40 and ‘41 do not require prospective recipients to write essays or fill out detailed applications. But, Umphrey said, they do expect applicants to show financial need, academic strength, involvement in school and community and a desire to further their education.

This year’s recipients fulfill those requirements. Both are from single-parent homes, and both have goals beyond high school.

Makaya Cavanagh received $1,000 at North Central’s June 6 awards ceremony and plans to attend the University of Montana.

Natasha Nelson received $600 and plans to attend Orlando Culinary Academy in Florida.

Choosing scholarship recipients has become Umphrey’s responsibility. She helps students assess career possibilities and reach their potential, guiding them toward scholarships and career choices.

“Janie really knows these kids,” Eldenburg says of Umphrey. “It’s been wonderful working with her.”

But when this year’s scholarships from the classes of ‘40 and ‘41 were awarded, it marked a bittersweet milestone for class members, who are in their mid-80s.

“Our money has run out,” said Eldenburg.

Even though they kept the fund alive with donations from their 60-year reunion, the classes won’t be able to provide another scholarship after this year.

So, Umphrey encourages other classes from North Central and throughout the area to start their own scholarship funds.

Eldenburg agrees, suggesting that class members make donations during their reunions. She emphasized the benefits for the recipients – and for the donors.

“It’s a feel-good type of thing for us,” she said. “We like doing something for somebody else.”