Haines High School students and alumni are eligible for
a new pot of scholarship money, $9,000 this year, from a Texas businessman who spent
summers in Haines 25 years ago.
The money will go for between one and three college scholarships.
Awards will be based, in part, on responses to a question asking how the money will help
the applicant make a difference in addressing challenges in their communities.
"Scholarships are awarded to students who best demonstrate their
potential for making a difference in the world based on character, personal merit and
commitment," according to the application.
Mike Saint John, a summer visitor to Haines, lived here seasonally as a
college student living and working for Alaska Indian Arts in 1980-81. He declined an
interview but wrote a short e-mail about why he was providing the scholarships.
"In addition to the Heinmillers, and other folks at Alaska Indian
Arts like Greg Horner, many people helped me in Haines … when I didn’t have two
nickels to rub together, people like Duck Hess, Kate and Stan Boor, Charlie Jimmy and Bart
Henderson. I’ve always wanted to do something for the people of Haines and the
scholarship program seemed like a natural.
"In many ways, my two summers in Haines as a college kid changed
my life, and I hope in some small way the Chilkat Valley Scholarship Fund can positively
impact the lives of kids from Haines the same way," Saint John wrote.
Saint John said he hoped to continue the scholarships on an annual
basis into the future. He said he also hoped to attend graduation personally in some
future year.
School counselor Carol Flegel said she was excited by the gift. A high
percentage of students in this year’s senior class are college bound, she said.
"This is pretty cool. It came out of nowhere."
