Murphy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program
Founded in 2006, the Murphy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program has awarded $26,000 in scholarships and grants through 2011. In 2011, the Foundation awarded $5,000 in scholarships and $1,000 in teacher grants.
"Our board feels good about including the $500 teacher grants for both the Plano and Wylie Independent School Districts," Foundation Chair Jon Lashbrook said. "We are all about helping the kids, and who in the schools help more than their teachers?"
Teacher grants are awarded through the respective Education Foundations of the districts and give special consideration to business or environmental projects.
The Murphy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Foundation was incorporated in June, 2006 as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. In 2005 and 2006 the Chamber itself awarded scholarships before forming the Foundation.
Because part of Murphy residents attend Plano ISD and part attend Wylie ISD, scholarships are awarded to high school seniors in each ISD. At this time, only Murphy residents are eligible for the scholarships.
From 2005 to 2007, $2,000 was awarded annually, $1,000 each to an outstanding Murphy high school senior in the Plano ISD and Wylie ISD.
In 2008, the awards were increased to $1,500 each. For 2009, both the number of awards and total funds awarded were increased: two scholarships into each ISD, one each at $1,500 and $1,000.
Jon Lashbrook has been the Foundation Chairman since its inception. Jon says, "Of all the terrific things our Chamber does, I am most proud of the Scholarship Foundation and its work. I never dreamed that when I was drawing up the incorporation papers in early 2006 that we could be where we are now."
Lashbrook added that the Chamber has been blessed to have donations from the Chamber membership and support from many companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
"We have raised money through auctions at our monthly luncheons, a State Farm-sponsored dunking booth at Maize Days and through Murphy Chamber special events," Lashbrook said. "I also want to recognize Murphy's Walmart Neighborhood Market, Baibrook McDonald's, Allstate Insurance and State Farm for their generosity."
To continue the Foundation's growth, additional support is needed.
"To make a donation or if you have any questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me," Lashbrook concluded.
2011 Scholarship Recipiants are:
Plano ISD: Austin Tucker from Plano East Senior High School was awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Josselyn Meneses, also a PESH senior, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship
Wylie ISD: Wylie High School senior Jessica Otah was awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Marina Dewberry, also a WHS senior, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
| Year |
Wylie ISD
|
Plano ISD
|
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Michael Dunn | Casey Anderson |
| 2006 | Michael Burcham | Sarah Hodge |
| 2007 | Analise Chatterpaul | Chris Shook |
| 2008 | Julia Castro | Deborah Odiase |
| 2009 | Eli Robb | Lucas Holt |
| 2009 | Rachel Helfrich | Jarrod Penn |
| 2010 | Hayley Hamilton | T.C. Riley |
| 2010 | Sarah Moore | Weston Betts |
| 2011 | Jessica Otah | Austin Tucker |
| 2011 | Marina Dewberry | Josselyn Meneses |
