The Hamilton Community Foundation is awarding $1 Million in scholarships this spring to graduating high school seniors in the greater Hamilton area.

The largest single allocation of Hamilton Community Foundation funds is for scholarships to area students. Since 1951, scholarships totaling more than $12 million have been granted to college-bound students.

One of the 180 scholarships being awarded this spring is the Dana H. and Martha M. Mehl Scholarship. Mehl Scholarship recipient, Margaret (Maggie) Jones is graduating from Ross High School and is headed to Miami University to study Engineering.

”I am very honored to win this scholarship and it feels really encouraging,” says Maggie. “It means a lot to me and it was a really good experience to meet the Mehls.” Maggie is the youngest of three and the first to attend college.

“This experience exceeded our expectations,” said Dana. He and his wife Martha fund the scholarship and this year, it was given for the first time.

Dana says that after the scholarship selection committee chose the recipient, the couple received written information about Maggie. They learned she has a 4.1 GPA and is graduating 4^th in her class of 221, participates in swimming and track and field, and is an active and passionate volunteer. They became increasingly excited to meet her in person at the Foundation’s recent Scholarship Awards Night. “She is just so sincere with her thanks,” he said. “She told us thank you many times. She’s full of energy and plans.”    

As the first in his family and extended family to attend college, Dana says he can relate to Maggie. “We do not have children of our own,” said Martha. “I do not think anything prepared us for how great this was going to feel. We are just two hard working people and we have given to other things before. The neat thing about this is the feeling of joy, pride and actually seeing the student.”

The Hamilton Community Foundation also offers scholarships to current college students and adults returning to pursue higher education. Guidelines for these scholarships are available on the Foundation’s website and online applications are due June 20, 2016.

The Hamilton Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving the quality of life for the greater Hamilton, Ohio community and its residents. Founded in 1951 with one $5,000 fund, the Foundation now manages more than 700 charitable funds.