By Meg Wempe
Attention, high school seniors: If you need help funding your education, the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs offers scholarships that could help make your educational dreams a reality.
Each year, Rotary awards scholarships to deserving students, with funding to all winners typically exceeding $20,000 annually. Since the program’s inception, we’ve awarded an impressive $564,125 to 201 graduates… and we’re excited to continue this tradition in 2025.
These scholarships are not limited to Pagosa Springs High School students. They are available to seniors from GOAL Academy, San Juan Mountain School, home-schooled students and those who have earned or plan to earn their GED by spring.
Whether you’re heading to a four-year college, a university or a vocational school, there’s a scholarship opportunity for you. Separate applications are available for students pursuing traditional college paths and those focusing on vocational education.
Applications have been distributed to Pagosa Springs High School, San Juan Mountain School and GOAL Academy. For students not attending these schools, applications can be emailed upon request.
The submission deadline is 4pm on March 17, so start now on your application. Scholarship recipients are selected based on a range of criteria, including financial need, academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal interviews, letters of recommendation, a personal essay and the quality of their resume.
The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs, established in 1979, now boasts 83 dedicated members. Our scholarships are funded through generous contributions from businesses, individual sponsors and community fundraising events, including our flagship fundraiser, the annual Jewels and Jeans Barn Dance held in October.
Applications can be picked up at Pagosa Springs High School, San Juan Mountain School and GOAL Academy, or requested via email at megwempe@hotmail.com. Com- pleted applications can be submitted to your school or emailed to the same address with the subject line “Rotary Scholarship” to ensure proper handling.
We’re eager to review your applications and help support your educational journey. Don’t miss this opportunity — apply today.
Meg Wempe writes on behalf of Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs.