From the shining decorations on the walls to the students seated in their chairs, the auditorium was filled with stars. On Sunday, May 4 students and their families gathered in the Lake Central auditorium to receive various scholarships awarded by Dollars for Scholars.

Dollars for Scholars president Mrs. Becky Plantinga began the ceremony by explaining the process of awarding scholarship money to graduating seniors. Seniors had to first apply for the scholarship. The applications were then judged and awarded points to make up the total.

“GPA is 50% of the points awarded,” Mrs. Plantinga said. “A 500-word essay can be worth up to 25, and activities, both in school and out of school, are worth 25 points.”

The selection process takes about four weeks long. The students were notified through the mail that they have been awarded a scholarship.

“We got letters in the mail,” senior Hannah Kimberly said. “When we got [to the ceremony] we found how much we had gotten for the scholarships.”

Scholarships ranged from $400 to $2500.

“Most scholarships are between $400 and $1250,” Mrs. Plantinga said.

In some cases, scholarships were awarded to students who met specific criteria. In order to be awarded the Donna K. Young scholarship, one had to be a former Peifer Elementary student, be employed during high school, be majoring in education and plan to attend Ball State University. Senior Collette Herald received the award.

Awards were presented to the students by adult members of Dollars for Scholars. When awarding the elementary and middle school Penny Wars amounts, students from their respective schools took over.

Kimberly is happy to have received a scholarship.

“I’m going to use the money to go to Purdue Lafayette,” Kimberly said. Kimberly plans to major in psychology, and is of yet undecided on a major.

Over $70,000 in scholarships were awarded

Over 80 students received scholarships

The scholarships ranged in size from $400 to $1250

Any senior can apply for an award