Radiothon raises nearly $60,000

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The Mitchell Community Scholarship Fund board surpassed its fundraising goal Monday during its 10th annual Radiothon.

The Radiothon was conducted on KMIT and KOOL 98 radio in Mitchell.

“At the end of (Monday), we were sitting at $58,590. Last year, we raised about $55,400, so this year we set a goal of $56,000,” said Julie Brookbank, director of marketing and public information at Mitchell Technical Institute.

“Obviously, we surpassed that.”

The funds raised will provide scholarships to any graduating senior from Mitchell Senior High School and Mitchell Christian High School who is going on to higher education. The students need only apply for the scholarship, Brookbank said.

In 2012, the board was able to give out scholarships of up to $550. With the funds raised through Monday, the fund should be able to sustain those amounts to those who apply. The committee will determine the exact amount by early March.

“Students have to complete one term of enrollment at their school of choice and then they’ll receive the funds for the start of the second term,” Brookbank said.

She said the scholarship, though it is smaller than most, can mean a lot to students who receive it.

“Where we’re at, $500 can be very helpful toward the cost of books, put a dent in tuition, can be applied toward room and board,” Brookbank said. “It has made a great deal of difference to those who have received no other scholarship funding.”

About 150 to 180 students apply for and receive the scholarship each year, she said. Students can be attending any higher education institution — college, university, trade or technical school, or beauty school. They have two years to claim their award. The fund was founded in 2001 and has awarded more than 1,400 scholarships totaling, through 2012, $535,000. The board also gave away a 50-inch plasma TV and HP laptop computer during its Radiothon Monday. Dave and Patti Brooks won the TV and Dave and Peggy Nolz won the laptop.

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