Prior to graduation week in Calvert County, a group of seniors, parents and guardians, plus other guests gathered at historic Linden for a check presentation ceremony. Instead of the cheesy big check of most such ceremonies, this one involved more than one check—a whole lot more than one. It took almost an hour for every check to be presented and that’s only because not all of the recipients were able to attend.

While the work of educators definitely plays a significant role in making the young students scholarship-worthy, guiding them to the available funds might make a huge difference in deciding whether they can afford higher education.

“It’s been my life’s work,” said Sonia K. Wagner, the founder of the Southern Maryland College Access Network. The late May event at Linden provided an opportunity to offer recognition to the students earning grants through the Calvert Local Scholarships Clearinghouse, which was initiated in 2010.

“With these awards comes responsibility—responsibility to make the most of the opportunity,” said Wagner.

The application form makes it simpler for students to apply for scholarships and gives the scholarship providers a competitive list of worthy students to choose from.

“I knew I needed help,” said recent Calvert High School graduate Dominique Barnes, who explained she started looking for available scholarships when she was a freshman. She was able to obtain some funding to help her enroll this fall at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to major in criminal justice.

Below, a listing of the scholarships, through the local clearinghouse, that participants have awarded to date, the grant amounts, the students receiving them and their high schools.

Alpha Beta Chapter, Delta Gamma Kappa Scholarship, $2,000, Hannah Murphy, Northern

American Legion Post 206, Austin H. Stanley Scholarship, $1,000 Carolyn Winston, Patuxent

American Legion Post 206, Austin H. Stanley Scholarship, $1,000 Marcus Reid, Huntingtown

American Legion Post 206, Auxiliary General Scholarship, $3,000, Christopher Noyes, Northern

Patsy Keyser Memorial Nursing Scholarship / American Legion Auxiliary Post 206 Past

President Parley, $1,000, Alyse Cockrell, Calvert

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