We have been in business since 1995
The mission of Portage High School Dollars for Scholars in Portage, Ind., is to expand access to educational opportunities for Portage Township Schools students through scholarships and academic support.
Beginnings
An account from Barb White, former Portage High School Dollars for Scholars president:
"As I reflect over the past few years about the Dollars for Scholars Foundation, I am reminded of the night I sat on the stage at Awards Night to offer a scholarship from my company, Century 21 Viking Realty. Other local businesses were there as well.
"It soon became apparent that the handful of awards we were giving was totally inadequate. Six thousand dollars to be exact. We decided to do something about it.
"We formed a committee, elected officers, joined the National Dollars for Scholars program, set a goal of $250,000 and gave ourselves five years to get there. We stormed through this city like bulls in a china shop. We didn't have to look far. Not only did local businesses hop on board, but so did the entire community.
"NIPSCO offered a $25,000 matching grant. A five-year pledge program was established. Most of the schools held yearly fundraising events as well. All Portage Township School employees were given the opportunity to have money taken out of their paychecks. Most did and still do. Former teacher Bernita Adkins bequeathed a portion of her estate to the program. Her financial advisor Donna Harris offered her services free of charge to invest the money. She did an outstanding job and the program owes her a great debt of gratitude. The school board in its wisdom earmarked proceeds from the 'Kids First' license plates program. Portage Youth Basketball donated proceeds from their yearly fundraising events.
"In an effort to highlight and make the public aware of some new areas of the city, we held Duck Races in the new marina, a Ride- Walk- and Roll-A-Thon along the rails to trails and a Kiss A Pig contest at all the local schols, including Nativity. The winning principal kissed that little piggy at halftime of a high school basketball game.
"We felt that the children in the community should help raise money for the foundation because they are going to be the beneficiaries of future scholarships. They rose to the occasion in strong numbers.
"One of the unique features of our porgram is the varied type of scholarships available. Not only can the academically gifted apply, so can the student with special needs and students ina variety of technical (vocational) programs.
"I'm happy to report that we did reach the $250,000 goal during the five-year period."
Today
We continue to build upon the efforts of the founding members of our Dollars for Scholars board and have gone from awarding $5,000 in scholarships that first year to nearly $30,000 in scholarships this past year. As college costs continue to rise, our intent is to continue to increase the amount we award.
To that end, our board has partnered with the Porter County Community Foundation to manage the foundational funds established by the fund-raising drive that began in 1995. We believe that this relationship will provide stability and continued growth for our funds, ensuring that future Portage students will continue to reap the rewards of the efforts of Barb White and the original Dollars for Scholars Board.
This website represents the next step for our chapter, providing an online resource for students and their parents, along with access to many other scholarships available nationally.
To find out more about what Portage High School Dollars for Scholars can do for a college-bound student, please click on the Scholarships tab above.
