Desert Messenger

16 www.DesertMessenger.com March 6, 2019 Need some money? Scholarship Part III Over 100 Gourmet Sodas! Two Quartzsite SOUVENIR PENNY MACHINES with 7 designs www.tysonwells.com 928-927-6365 Gifts, Greeting Cards, Puzzles, & Bingo Dabbers Free WiFi Laundry 133 Sites Pets Welcome Live Music Card Night Monthly Rates Club House Monthly Rates By Jackie Deal Need some money? Who doesn't? If you're thinking of higher educa- tion (beyond High School) you need money, right? And if you're the Scholarship Committee of the Road Runners Rock, Gem and Mineral Club and the Quartzsite Improve- ment Association you need more money too. Let's deal with the students fi rst. Why go on to higher education? Aren't 12 years enough? At one time 8 years of school was plenty but now 12 years is NOT enough. If you want to get ahead in life, have an enjoy- able future...sorry, you need a cou- ple more years of schooling or train- ing. And that requires more money. Sometimes a lot more money. Speaking of money, let's do a com- parison of what you can earn after just two years of advanced school- ing. McDonald's (sorry for picking on them) starting wage in Arizona, according to Google, is $8.58 to $11.58. After two years of Physi- cal Therapy Assistant training the starting wage is $11.79 up to $35.13, with an average wage of $23.22 (again according to Google.) Do you get the picture? Mark Orgeron, of Ed Options High School says there's a big, wide, won- derful world out there but, "If you love Quartzsite, go out and learn a trade and then bring it back here." He said don't let worries that you're not smart enough hold you back and don't think college is only for the rich. Money is available!! It's called scholarships, grants, loans; it's out there. Sure the local scholar- ship might not pay your full bill but when you apply to a college or trade school, you'll fi nd there's more money to be had. Students & parents: you've got to ap- ply for it! Start with the local schol- arships. Then contact the school you want to go to and school counselors will help you jump through the hoops to get the funds you need. Ask your school counselors for scholarship applications and call Roger Nielsen at the Quartzsite Gem & Mineral Club, 928-927-4010. Collect all the information the ap- plication asks for. Letters of recom- mendation impress the local schol- arship committee. Be prepared for a personal interview by the com- mittee. Anticipate questions such as: "Why should we accept you over someone else?" (That's an in- side hint!) If you're accepted, you and your school will be notifi ed. When you enroll at a college or trade school the money will be sent to the insti- tution. (Sorry you don't get to play around with it!) Applications to col- lege should be in by November 1 of your senior year. Contacting them earlier with questions sure wouldn't hurt! Don't wait till the last min- ute. Some "early bird" might get the scholarship YOU could have had! Now, let's talk about local scholar- ship funds: More are needed! Do you belong to a club or organiza- tion that might organize a fund rais- ing benefi t? Bug them! Head it up! Challenge other groups to match what you raise. Every little bit helps. If that doesn't appeal to you, donate to the Rock Club/QIA scholarship funds. Did you know that some of your accumulated "stuff" might raise money for them? At their benefi t functions there will be items for si- lent auctions. If you have something others might want (preferable worth $25 or more) donate it! You can leave items off at the Rock Club trail- er Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-12, 65 E. Ironwood St., west of the QIA. Or call Louise 503- 539-7411; she even promises to come and pick up worthy items. Maybe it takes more than a com- munity to educate a child. But it starts here, in Quartzsite, so let's get with the program. Be a positive part of someone's future. Got Drugs? Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal Mon - Fri. 8am-5pm Quartzsite Police Department

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