Insight - Colonel Owens Endorses St. Francis' Philosophy: True Receiving Comes Through Giving
Dixie Heights High School Alumni Scholarship to End After Ten Years
In a heartwarming and inspiring ten-year journey, a group of alumni from Dixie Heights High School have been awarding scholarships to deserving students. The scholarship, which has been presented at the school's Honors Night for several years, has been a labour of love for these alumni, with a total of 11 students receiving financial aid.
The scholarship project was initiated during a reunion ten years ago, when the idea of establishing a scholarship in their Class's name was proposed. One of the key figures in this project has been Colonel Owens, a retired legal aid attorney and law professor, who has been involved from the outset and is responsible for sending out emails soliciting contributions.
The scholarship amount is competitive, and sometimes difficult choices have to be made among numerous outstanding applicants. Over the past ten years, the Class has awarded $2000 annually to a deserving student, but this year, they were able to collect and award a $2500 scholarship. The application process involves an examination of the student's academic record, letters of recommendation, and an essay about their plans.
Unfortunately, due to dwindling numbers and health limitations, the Class has decided that this is their last year for the scholarship project. They remain hopeful, however, that one or more other classes might take up their project. The Class's hope is that other classes might pick up on their project, but so far, none have.
Colonel Owens, a longtime Democratic Party activist, believes that the project has been a blessing and that his experience aligns with St. Francis's belief that giving leads to receiving. He is also the author of Bending the Arc Toward Justice and a member of the Boards of Directors of Kentucky Voices for Health and the Kentucky Board of Elections.
Despite the project coming to an end, Colonel Owens emphasises that the impact of the scholarship on the recipients has been immeasurable. He graduated from Dixie Heights High School in 1965 and has been proud to give back to his alma mater in this way. Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding which high school graduate initiated and led the scholarship project.
The total amount collected over ten years for the scholarship is $22,000, a testament to the generosity of the Class members. The Class is growing older, but they leave behind a legacy of giving and a hope that the scholarship will continue to help deserving students in the years to come.
