4District News

$1.83 Million Opens Doors For F-FHS Graduates

Graduates of the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District may now find it a little easier to afford a post-secondary education. In fact, recipients may even earn their associate degrees for free.

Thanks to a $1.83 million bequest by area residents W. Barent Wemple and Ashley Burton Wemple, this year’s class of 115 students will have a chance at over a dozen scholarships valued at $7000 each. $7000 is the cost of tuition and fees for two years at Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

“This is an exciting and incredible opportunity for the students of our district. We can now ensure that almost any capable student who wishes to earn a two-year degree can have the opportunity to do so, regardless of their financial situation. Students and their families can focus on college without fretting over finances,” said Fonda-Fultonville Superintendent of Schools Dr. James D. Hoffman.

Unlike many scholarships that award a set dollar amount, the Burton and Wemple Scholarship will change to reflect actual college costs. According to Dr. Hoffman, the trustees will adjust the award each year to reflect the cost of two years at FMCC, although it does not require that students attend FMCC. Tying the scholarship to the cost of education gives recipients the opportunity to complete their associate degrees with no financial burden.

Dr. Hoffman, HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Geoffrey Davis, and HFM BOCES District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Hohenforst will serve as trustees. They will review all applications and will make awards based upon criteria required by Mr. and Mrs. Wemple: equal distribution based upon gender and the student’s financial need, as well as the individual student’s academic record. Mary Ann Scheer, of the NBT Bank, will oversee the fund.

The fund will annually award a minimum of five percent of its value to FFCS graduates pursuing accredited education programs. The fund’s value and education costs at the time of the award will determine the number of recipients. The trustees anticipate that the fund will grow in value enabling it to continue its guarantee of a free two-year college education to recipients and to potentially increase the number of recipients.

The first scholarships will be presented to the Fonda-Fultonville High School Class of 2008 at graduation ceremonies in June.

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