Fairy Godmothers Party

by Connie Kent

The Fairy Godmothers Scholarship Committee has just selected its scholarship recipients for the 2022-23 academic year. All thirty-two applicants from ten Jackson County high schools had remarkable high school grades, took advanced courses, participated in extracurricular activities and volunteer work, and also worked many hours for wages. In addition, many came from heartbreaking family backgrounds. From this group of outstanding candidates, ten young women were selected to receive $5000 per year for their first two years of college. These ten young women and their fairy godmother mentors met on June 1st among the brightly blooming flowers in the Penthouse garden.

Rooftop garden party

Twenty-five years ago, RVM resident Cornelia Tomes and a group of friends started a scholarship for deserving young women from Jackson County who wanted to go to college in Oregon. Since then the group has provided almost 400 scholarships. What started as financial support of a few hundred dollars has become $5000 per year for two years with a possibility of renewal for two more years.

A unique feature of the program is that each student gets a mentor, a Fairy Godmother. This supportive relationship is particularly significant for students who are first generation in their family to have the opportunity to attend college. The mentors provide helpful guidance and support the girls might need as they adjust to college life.

The girls and their mentors

Mentoring is also of great benefit to the mentors, providing them a purpose – a way to help the next generation – and a real sense of satisfaction.

During the academic year just ending, the program has helped twenty-eight girls attend various Oregon colleges and universities.

These young women’s interests include such varied fields as animal science, art, nursing, business, and electrical engineering. But they all need financial assistance to achieve their goals and fulfill their promise. Money for their scholarships comes entirely from donations to the Foundation specified for Fairy Godmothers. The RVM Foundation provides 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and direction for the group.

The 2022-23 year saw four scholarship winners graduate. Ten new scholarship winners will begin their college education in the fall, their mentors standing by to support them.