San Miguel Educational Fund Scholarship Award
Jennie Thomas, former SMEF Board Member, and Will Plantz, recipient of the 2018 San Miguel Educational Fund’s Scholarship.
PC: Melissa Plantz
San Miguel Educational Fund Scholarship Award FAQ
History of the Scholarship:
This scholarship was established and funded in 2018 by a recurring $1000 contribution from Robert Allen, AKA Bobalouie, which is matched by the San Miguel Educational Fund and distributed annually. The $2000 total can be awarded to one or more students. The first scholarship award was granted in June of 2018.
The SMEF Scholarship Committee will be responsible for reviewing scholarship applications, determining the recipient of the award with the help of the school's guidance office. The committee will report directly to the SMEF Board and will provide any information requested by the board as to the scholarship.
If additional money is collected via donations allocated specifically to the scholarship fund, the Scholarship Committee can review the funds available in the scholarship fund to determine if the scholarship should be amended (i.e. increased scholarship amount or providing a scholarship to multiple students in a single year.) Robert Allen will handle the administration side of any additional funds collected. The Scholarship Committee would bring any requests to modify the scholarship award to the SMEF Board of Directors for review.
Who is eligible for the scholarship?
Seniors graduating from any school within San Miguel County with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and with a sincere intention of continuing their education. Weight will be given to participation in Radio Club, intention to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, music, or a related field, and volunteer history with KOTO or other community non-profits. Ineligibility: Immediate family members of current SMEF board members and KOTO staff are ineligible.
Past recipients include:
2018- Will PLantz
2019- Maya Ordonez
2020- Jonah Jodlowski
2021- Rowen Warren
2022 - Ayla Kanow
2023- Fintan Cole
2024 - Aizy Luna Alvarez Lezcano
Application Process:
Applicants must complete a written application and submit it to SMEF Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1069, Telluride, CO 81435 by April 30. Applicants must also provide an unofficial transcript. Applications may be submitted through the school, or via email to julia@koto.org.
Scholarship Determination:
The recipient of the SMEF Scholarship will be chosen by the SMEF Scholarship Committee. That committee will be comprised of at least three members to include Robert Allen, one current SMEF board member, and one KOTO station employee. Application will be reviewed to determine if they meet all eligibility requirements. Award decision will be made by consensus of the SMEF Scholarship committee with weight given to participation in Radio Club, intention to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, music, or a related field, and volunteer history with KOTO or other community non-profits.
Recipient Obligation:
The student awarded the San Miguel Educational Fund Scholarship must submit a letter to the editor of the Daily Planet Newspaper within two weeks of receiving the scholarship thanking San Miguel Educational Fund and KOTO Radio.
Application deadline is April 23. An unofficial school transcript must be attached to this application. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application: