Venture Scholars Starts Its Third Year

(From the December 2006 Newsletter)

The Venture Scholars scholarship program is designed to honor talented high school students who plan to complete a career-focused program in a community college or training institute. The scholarship provides qualified students up to $4,000 to spend on tuition, books, and related educational expenses.

The third year of the Venture Scholars program is under way. The first year was devoted to establishing a scholarship program in the Portland area on the model of Grove Scholars, with the first group of award winners named in the spring of 2005. The second year was devoted to developing the systems needed to track and communicate with the students, along with recruiting a second group of winners. This year we will continue working with staff at Benson and Roosevelt high schools to recruit a strong 2007 class of Venture Scholars, and we will continue to work on improving the program.

In 2005, 11 students were selected for scholarships (seven from Benson, four from Roosevelt). One of the students has already completed his training and is preparing for the real estate license exam. Several other students are on track to finish their training in 2007 or, in the case of the nursing students, in 2008. A few of other students are either on leave for personal reasons or struggling academically. We are working with these students to help them reach their goals.

In 2006, 13 students were selected (nine from Benson, four from Roosevelt). Several of the students have impressed us with their diligence and follow-through. We have high hopes that this class will do well. Ten students have begun their studies this fall; the remaining three will begin in the winter term.

Venture Scholars is an unusual and valuable scholarship program, targeting students who are deserving but mostly overlooked for scholarship awards. Establishing the program has been both challenging and enjoyable. This year we plan to continue developing our methods of recruiting the students most likely to succeed with their plans, and also our understanding of what kinds of help they need to succeed.

Venture Scholars is a program funded by private individuals and administered by SVPP. If you are interested in learning more about this program please visit the Venture Scholars site, or contact Joe Barthmaier or Deborah Lockwood.