The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The 2022 Sisters Graduate Resource Organization (GRO) Scholarship application season is underway for seniors at Sisters High School (SHS). With six new scholarships, there is more opportunity for funds for post-high school education and training than ever.

The window for applications opened last week and remains open until Monday, February 28. Counselor Rick Kroytz urges all students to check out what is available, but to not wait until the last minute to get things done.

“Other than students accepted to the military or who know they have no financial need due to full scholarships or family funds, all students should be motivated to apply,” he said. “In addition, students expecting to get the Oregon Promise to attend community college need to understand that it doesn’t cover all their college costs.”

Kroytz encourages parents to get involved with the process by helping their student to get registered on the GRO site and to set a personal timeline for getting things done.

The application and all the information students need can be found at www.

sistersgro.org.

There are a total of 69 different scholarships — all funded locally — that are available through Sisters GRO, and some include multiple awards, according to Laura Kloss, program director for GRO. Last year GRO awarded over $180,000 in total. Since 2008, GRO has awarded over $1.2 million.

New scholarships this year include the Les and Lori Cooper, Myers Family, Bedouin, Julie Gravely, Bob Gould, Dream Cleanz Business/Leadership, and the Claire Kanzig Memorial Cross-Country scholarships.

Scholarships are sponsored by individuals, families, businesses, civic organizations, and family trusts, according to Kloss.

“We can’t thank our community donors enough for their continual generosity and support of Sisters High School graduates,” she said.

Kloss notes that the variety of scholarships means that there really is something for every post-high school plan.

“Anyone who is even considering continuing their education in any direction beyond Sisters High School should check out what GRO offers,” she said. “Scholarships through Sisters GRO are not just for two- and four-year institutions. There are scholarships that are designated specifically for trade or technical programs, and even certificate programs. The criteria for each scholarship varies as well.”

Kroytz added, “Sometimes students think they don’t have the GPA to apply, but criteria for scholarships range from a 2.0 average on up,” he said. “The seniors also need to understand that because we have so many scholarships to offer, the GRO board and the donors work hard to ‘spread the wealth.’”

Kroytz and Kloss, along with ASPIRE volunteers and members of GRO, are available to assist students in the application process, which is now done completely electronically.

To help students get focused on applying, a pizza night will be held Tuesday, February 8 in the lecture room at Sisters High School beginning at 6 p.m., with adults on hand to help out.

In addition, Kloss will be on hand during the school day at SHS on February 8, 24, and 28.

Scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Celebration, scheduled for Wednesday, May 18.