Chamber will manage calendar scholarships

The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce will take over administration of a long-running Wrangell Scholarship program this year.

The scholarship awards a Wrangell High School student $500 each year for four years, for a total value of $2,000. The program had been managed by the Emblem Club for the last 60 years. The scholarship is funded by the purchase of $10 calendars displaying the birthdays of local citizens.

“Everything that we make we put back into the program,” said Cyni Waddington. “It’s kind of a local institution. People look forward to it every year.”

The Emblem Club, a vestige of the era before the Elks Club allowed female members, has struggled to maintain membership rolls now that the Elks allow women in. The Wrangell chapter boasts 40 members, but the vast majority are no longer active participants, said Judy Bakeberg, a 40-year member of the club and former Alaska president of the organization.

Students interested in applying for the scholarship will be able to obtain an application at the high school office.

Readers interested in joining the Wrangell chapter of the Emblem Club must first fill out an application themselves, and are initiated after a vote by current members. They can start the process by calling 874-2538.

The Emblem Club is dedicated to community activities and recently awarded a lifetime membership to Mary Shilts.

Calendars are available for sale at the Chamber Office, Angerman’s, Bobs’, and City Market.

 

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