Boy Scout Troop 270

Members of Boy Scout Troop 270 were honored recently by the Thurmont Lions Club for obtaining the Eagle Scout rank within Boy Scouts.

Scouts Andrew Phillips, Joel Portier, Garrett Miller, Jeremy Bailey, Christopher Vaughn and Robert Vaughn were each presented with a Certificate of Achievement from Lions Clubs International and a $100 savings bond from the local club for their accomplishment in attaining Eagle Scout.

This year, the Lions Club introduced the Ross Smith Sr. Scouting Award. The award is named after Ross Smith, Sr., the Scoutmaster of Troop 11 of Thurmont in 1931. Troop 11 eventually became Troop 270. This scouting award will annually recognize outstanding local scouts with a savings bond, a trophy and the award recipient’s name engraved on a permanent plaque in the Lions Club display window at Cozy restaurant in Thurmont. Jeremy Bailey became the first scout to receive the new Ross Smith Sr. Scouting Award.

Shown (L-R) is Bob and Jean Rosensteel, Betsy Day, Andy Carpel, Pat Larson, Allen Knott, Dan and Greg Reaver

At a recent dinner meeting, Betsy Day and Andy Carpel of the Community Foundation accepted donations to benefit several Community Foundation managed scholarship funds.

Bob and Jean Rosensteel of Rosensteel Studio donated $6,000 to the Tribute to a Friend scholarship fund which awards an annual $1,000 scholarship.

Pat Larson, president, and Allen Knott, treasurer, of the Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association (EBPA) present a $600 check from EBPA to initiate the new scholarship.

In addition, Dan and Greg Reaver of Emmitsburg Glass Company donated $5,000 to the EBPA scholarship fund.

Masonic Lodge Offers Scholarship

Thurmont’s Masonic Acacia Lodge #155, is offering one scholarship worth $4,000.00 for local graduates. This scholarship is available to all graduating high school level seniors from a Maryland State accredited public, private, and/or home-school program that reside within the Catoctin High School feeder district boundaries as per the Frederick County Public School district map. The scholarship is awarded $1,000.00 per year over four years of continued education with passing grades from an accredited college or university.

Applications will be judged upon the following criteria in order of importance: 1) Participation and leadership roles in community and/or school activities. 2) Content of a personal resume. 3) Academic record and/or special achievements. 4) Need for financial assistance. 5) Evaluation by school official and/or mentor. 6) Organization, appearance, and completeness of the application.

Scholarship application forms are available at the Catoctin High School Guidance Office and the Thurmont Public Library. Interested students must complete an application and return it to the location where it was obtained, on or before April 30, 2007.

The successful applicant and their family will be invited to the Lodge’s annual Strawberry Festival in June, for the presentation of the Scholarship.

Questions regarding the application should be directed to the Acacia Lodge #155 via email at acacia155lodge@verizon.net.

Thurmont Lions Club Announces Scholarships

The Thurmont Lions Club (TLC) has a long history of enabling local students to attend college through its scholarship program.

Each year the TLC awards three $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Catoctin High School, one of which is called the "Lion Vic" scholarship and is renewable each year for four years.

Funds to support the scholarship program are raised by the yearly sale of the Lions Community Birthday Calendar. The community support of the calendar program has assisted numerous students in their pursuit of career goals through higher education.

It is the belief of the "Lion" that giving back to the community in this manner has long term benefits for the young men and women who receive the scholarships, as well as the community.

In order to compete for the scholarships, students must complete an application which includes career objectives, school activities, leadership roles, awards, work experience and community activities. Letters of reference and official transcripts are also required.

Scholarships are awarded after the Lions Scholarship Committee reviews all applications. Students and their parents are invited to a special awards dinner program at a regular Lions Club meeting held in May.

Scholarship applications may be obtained from the Guidance Office at the Catoctin high School. All completed applications must be returned by April 20, 2007.

For information concerning the TLC Community Birthday Calendar, please contact Lion Mike Irons, 301-271-7012. To obtain an application for this scholarship, please visit your high school guidance counselor.

Community Foundation Accepting Music Instruction Scholarship Applications

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is now accepting scholarship applications through May 1st from students ages 5 to 22 interested in pursuing vocal or instrumental music instruction. The scholarship funding is made possible through The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Eleanor Harper Music Scholarship Fund, two of over 600 funds held by the Community Foundation.

The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to Frederick County residents in kindergarten through 11th grade for training in vocal or instrumental music performance. The fund honors the memory of Sperry L. Storm, a well-known Frederick County musician who taught music privately for nearly 50 years and worked as a public school music educator for 35 years. Scholarships are for private instruction only.

The Eleanor Harper Music Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to elementary, middle and high school students demonstrating talent in and commitment to pursuing vocal or instrumental music performance, as well as 18 to 22 year olds taking private lessons to enhance career opportunities in these fields. The fund remembers Eleanor Harper, who dedicated her life to performing and teaching music.

Only one application is needed to apply for both The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship and The Eleanor Harper Music Scholarship. Completed scholarship applications must be delivered, not postmarked, to the Community Foundation’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2007. Application guidelines may be downloaded from the home page of the Community Foundation’s web site at www.cffredco.org or obtained at the Community Foundation’s office at 312 East Church Street in Frederick.

To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.cffredco.org or call 301.695.7660.

Community Grant Applications Available through May 15th

Applications are now being accepted for Joel’s Kids grants from the Community Foundation’s Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund. Grants from the fund are awarded each year to nonprofit organizations providing direct services to Frederick County youth and young adults 18 to 22 years old, or religious organizations in need of funding for non-sectarian activities benefiting youth activities.

Grant awards may be used for one-time purchases, capital expenditures, start-up costs for programs in existence less than six months at the time of application, purchases related to the provision of physical and/or mental healthcare for youth and young adults, or the fulfillment of wishes of youth and young adults facing catastrophic circumstances.

Completed grant applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the Community Foundation’s office, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Grant application/guidelines may be downloaded from the home page of the Community Foundation’s web site at www.cffredco.org or may be obtained directly by stopping by the Community Foundation’s office.

The Frederick Keys turned to the Community Foundation in creating The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund to honor the memory of Joel Stephens, a minor league outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles who succumbed to colon cancer in 1998 at the age of 22. While undergoing treatment, Joel attempted a return to baseball by playing with the Frederick Keys at Harry Grove Stadium. Joel’s love for children, particularly those with health-related issues, disabilities, difficult home situations, or suffering a loss, inspired the creation of the memorial fund. Grant awardees designate two youth beneficiaries as "Joel’s Kids," who will participate in special events with the Frederick Keys.

Grant applications will be considered from any organization providing direct services to Frederick County youth or young adults. Past grants from The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund have been awarded to Window to the World, Inc. to publish the student manners handbook Best Foot Forward for residents of the Maryland Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, The Arc of Frederick County’s training series Take Charge: Life Leadership, Challenger Little League, Thurmont Little League, and Myersville Junior Baseball League.

For more information about the Community Foundation, including The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund, visit www.cffredco.org or call 301.695.7660. Additional information is also available at www.joelskids.org.