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In The Spotlight
Gala Auction Donors and Buyers Gave From The Heart
Event nets just over $80,000
By Barbara Baker
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Kelsie McEndeffer (in white leather gown) holds a copy of a first edition book “Random Recollections” donated by Bob McKenzie as auctioneer John Korrey (white hat) reads an excerpt to Cal West (seated at left) during the NJC Hope Scholarship Western Elegance gala auction. West didn’t buy the book, but he did purchase a beautiful one-of-a-kind white turquoise necklace and earring set for $2,500. (Courtesy Photo) |
The individuals who purchased items at the Hope Gala opened up their hearts and their checkbooks. As the last expenses are being deducted from the income, the college cleared just north of $80,000 in profit at the one-night fundraiser. Proceeds from the Western Elegance event go directly to the Hope Scholarship Fund which will be used to fund tuition scholarships for high school graduates from throughout the five county area served by NJC. Since the Hope Scholarship was started in 2007, monies raised have helped in excess of 100 students attend NJC.
Members of the NJC Foundation Board of Directors and other friends of NJC have been singing the praises of Butch and Tammy Graves, Alan and Cindy Hoal and Scott and Vivian Hadley for nearly two weeks now. These were the high bidders on the top items of the evening. Graves purchased the 700 Diesel Arctic Cat 4-wheeler which was donated by Kurtzer’s of Haxtun. The Hoals purchased the “Rain upon the Prairie” bronze sculpture which was a small version of the beautiful one that now graces the northwest corner of the Logan County courthouse square. Both bronzes were created by Shalah Perkins and the table-top version was donated by Shalah and her husband Jess of Campo. The Hadleys purchased one week in a five –bedroom vacation house in Cabo San Lucas which was donated by Chris and Joy Dinsdale. These three items alone generated more than $18,000 in dollars for scholars.
Others who spent money buying items at the live auction were Kent Bamford, Cal West, Russ and Cindy Johnson, Joy Dinsdale, Michael McDougall, Randy Carruthers, Joe Patterson, Mike Werner, Larry Anderson, Sterling Ethanol, Alan Stromberg, Tom and Jean Gilley, Dave and Vicki Tennant , Brent Erickson, Darryl and Annette Bowin, Brad and Kelly Anderson, Rick and Diane Unrein, Dale Stahla, Bill Bornholf, Jason Timmerman and John Hickert.
Items sold at the auction, in addition to the three top sellers included: A foursome of golf donated by Balleyneal Golf Club in Holyoke, a top of the line office chair from Colorado Correctional Industries in Canon City, 200 small square wheat hay bales donated by Ted and Judy Giacomini, a child’s John Deere Wagon with sideboards donated by MV Equipment and a rainbow trout sculpture and metal “model T” planter created by Sterling Correctional Facility inmates, donated by Jim Lueck and Alma McArthur. Greeley Hatworks donated a custom-made hat and local quilter Chris Burton contributed an exquisite hand-made quilt. NJC alum and past Associated Student Government president Quentin Smith of Silt donated a five day guided bow and arrow elk hunt. Andy and Theda Anderson donated a one week stay in a Vail condominium. Rounding out the sale items were four planters of flowers donated by Country Gardens, a first edition book “Random Recollections” donated by Bob McKenzie. Hunter’s Creek Silver donated a beautiful white turquoise necklace and earring set. Two mystery boots, one for a woman and one for a man included items donated by Elm Street Liquors, Oak Tree (Holyoke and Fort Morgan), Fiber Space, Nagle-Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast (Cheyenne), Wisdom Industries (Merino) , Mr. D’s Hardware, KC’s Tapes and CD’s and Dewey’s Bar and Grill (Stoneham).
The Hope Scholarship operates on a very basic philosophy. Any high school senior, entering NJC directly after graduation, who can document a 2.5 grade point average anytime during his or her senior year, qualifies for the Hope Scholarship. This scholarship pays after the award of federal and state grants. Middle income families who are rarely eligible for grant assistance stand to benefit the most from the Hope Scholarship. This scholarship pays up to half of a student’s tuition for the first two years of college at NJC as long as the student remains academically eligible. Eligibility hinges on maintaining a 3.0 grade point average while at NJC or spending at least 50 hours in the tutoring center on campus. Students losing the scholarship for a semester can earn it back by bringing their grades up to the required level or by investing requisite time in the tutoring center. A student can keep the Hope Scholarship for up to six semesters so, if it takes three years to finish a degree, Hope can still help.
Why would a college be this generous with a scholarship you ask? “We’ve long said that our goal is to see students succeed,” says Dr. Lance Bolton, president of the college. “We know that having more residents in this area who have a college degree is tied directly to this area’s economic well-being. What we invest in helping our local students get a college degree comes back to us several fold when they choose to stay in this part of the state, and many of them do. Some of them go on and get four year degrees and then come back.”
Bolton notes that there are numerous scholarships for academically outstanding students—those who have a 3.5 or higher gpa coming out of high school. “But there has been very little out there for the able students who really need someone to encourage them to come on to college and then offers them financial help as well.” Bolton observes that there are a number of highly successful business people in the northeastern Colorado community who remember that they were not top academic students in high school, but they didn’t let that stop them from following a dream and going on to do very well in their endeavors. So often, he says, we see students who find their way when they discover a passion for learning at NJC because they find a career direction that excites them.
The Hope Scholarship offers something for top students from our area as well as any student willing to take advantage of the opportunities NJC offers for success. “NJC is enjoying dramatic growth in enrollment, and the Hope Scholarship has played a big part in that accomplishment,” Bolton said.