Barnesville B.E.S.T. Scholarships

What is Barnesville Education Scholarships for Tomorrow?

Barnesville Education Scholarships for Tomorrow (BEST) recognizes that education is the key to coping and competing in an increasingly complex world. On an annual basis, BEST awards upwards of $22,000 in scholarships to graduating BHS seniors. Cash donations from individuals and businesses are the major source of funding for scholarships. These financial gifts may be made at any time, in any amount. Funds also come from memorials or through fundraising events. BEST may be named as a beneficiary in wills, insurance policies and memorials.

Who may apply for a scholarship?

Any Barnesville High School, ISD #146, senior planning to attend a post-secondary
institution such as university, college, vocational, or trade school later that fall is
eligible to apply for a scholarship. An online, fillable application form may be completed on the district website, barnesville.k12.mn.us. An application form is also available at the Barnesville High School counseling office. Completed applications are to be returned to the counseling office no later than April 29. Click on the Application Form link to download a printable version of the application.

How are local scholarships awarded?

BEST recipients are chosen through an application process where volunteer committee members review and rate applicants on a point system. All aspects of a student’s life are taken into consideration, including work experience, school activities, community service, goals and aspirations, personal/family circumstances and scholastic performance.

Types of scholarships

Some scholarships are specific, based on a student’s intended major or interest.

Examples of named scholarships include, but are not limited to:

• Knights of Columbus – $500
• Barnesville Lions (community service) – $750
• Barnesville Fire Department (in memory of Rick Holland) – $500
• Perry Trowbridge Memorial (education) – $500
• Peter and Hannah Thompson Memorial (business) – $1000 each, one boy/one girl
• Bud & Dede Shulstad (agriculture) – $500
• Clarence & Dolores Ebert (FFA involvement) – $500
• Sam & Mary Syvertson (participation in high school athletics) – $1000
  each, one boy/one girl
• Rodney & Sharon Ramacher (pursuing a career in elementary education) – $500
• Barnesville Aces (involvement in JO volleyball) – $500
• Lake Region Electric (pursuing a career as a journeyman) – $500
• Lake Region Healthcare (pursuing a career in medical field, ie. doctor, nurse, support function, coding) – $625
• Education MN – Barnesville (pursuing a career in education) – $800
• Timothy Klein Memorial, Barnesville Grocery (pursuing a career in business, accounting, math or computer science) – $825
• Red River Communications (dependent of Red River Communication cooperative member) – $1000 each, one boy/one girl
• Midwest Bank (dependent of Midwest Bank Employee) – $2500

BEST scholarship recipients will be announced at the Senior Awards program.
Award winners will receive a certificate noting the dollar amount and the name of
the donor.

You can help!

Donations in the form of a check may be mailed to Barnesville Education Scholarships for Tomorrow, PO Box 461, Barnesville, MN 56514. Contact Maggie Foster, 701-212-6266, if interested in sponsoring a named scholarship of $500 or more, or establishing an endowed scholarship.