Batesville, In. — Batesville High School students may apply for four separate scholarships administered by the Batesville Community Education Foundation (BCEF) through one common application this year. In addition to the James A. Fritsch Memorial Scholarship, the Mary C. Horstman Scholarship, and the Hillenbrand and Batesville Casket Scholarship, a fourth scholarship has been added, thanks to a donation to BCEF from the family of BHS alumnus Sgt. Chad Keith.
“Sgt. Keith was a 2000 BHS graduate who was killed in Iraq in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Anne Wilson, BCEF executive director. “Through a donation from the fundraising efforts of his family, a new $500 scholarship has been established.”
The Sgt. Chad Keith Memorial Scholarship is available to either 2019 BHS graduates who will attend college or trade school or any BHS alumni who are currently attending college or a trade school.
“It was the wish of Sgt. Keith’s family that this scholarship also be made available to those already enrolled in college or trade school,” Wilson explained. “As a tribute to our armed forces, the essay for this scholarship involves interviewing a veteran and explaining how this person embodies patriotism.”
The James A. Fritsch Memorial Scholarship and the Mary C. Horstman Scholarship were established through the generosity of donors via estate planning. Three $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to recipients of the Fritsch Scholarship in 2019 and three $1,000 winners will be chosen for the Horstman. In its second year, the Hillenbrand and Batesville Casket Scholarship, funded through a targeted donation to BCEF from the companies, will award one $2500 scholarship to a student pursuing a career in a STEM field.
Scholarship money to be awarded to BHS graduates this year by BCEF will total $21,000.
The BCEF common application, instructions, and details regarding all four scholarships are online here. Scholarship applications are due to BCEF no later than 4:30 PM on March 1. Questions about the scholarships may be directed to Wilson at [email protected] or 812-934-2194.
