Troy, Libby students receive FSPW scholarships
Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Northwest Montana Outreach Coordinator Brooke Bolin and Hanna Benson, a Troy High School graduate, shake hands at a recent awards ceremony. (Photo courtesy Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness)
Two Troy High School graduates and one Libby High School graduate recently received scholarships from the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
Every year, the organization puts on a scholarship contest for local high schools. It gives $250 to a student from each school who writes an outstanding essay about their experience in wilderness.
“I never would have thought that Montana’s wilderness would bring me joy like no other,” wrote Hanna Benson of Troy High School. “It is to the mountains, the trees, and the skies of Montana that I give thanks for allowing me to create some of my best memories.“
This year FSPW received many well-written, exciting essays, and it was difficult to pick just one from each school — in fact, there were a few ties this year.
These teenagers showed passion for wilderness and the outdoors, and we enjoyed reading through each one.
“Just when I was at the point of being too tired to continue any further, we heard it; the refreshing and tell-tale chirp, that a cow elk makes,” wrote Jessica Lotze of Sandpoint High School about her wilderness adventure.
The full list of winners this year include Jessica Lotze of Sandpoint High School; Adeline Roesler-Begalke and Hanna Benson of Troy High School; Sam Barnett, Caiya Yanick and Taylor Staley of Clark Fork High School; Taryn Thompson of Libby High School; Shane Gamber of Priest River Lamanna High School; Ryan Bucher of Thompson Falls High School and Vanessa Horner of Noxon High School.
FSPW staff thanked the students and schools who participated this year and wished the graduating seniors well as they continue their educational careers.