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Together We GIVE So They Can SUCCEED
In 1927, fourteen graduating seniors received their diplomas from the new Shawnee High School. In anticipation and celebration of the 100th graduating class from Shawnee High School in 2026, the first and only Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund has been established. Please join this opportunity to make a measurable difference in the lives of Shawnee High School students.
Home: Welcome
The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund was created by a devoted group of Shawnee graduates dedicated to providing alumni and friends with the opportunity to invest in current Shawnee graduates and create a legacy for future generations of Shawnee students and faculty.
OUR VISION
Our Vision is based upon the conviction that an educated society is essential to a healthy society. We recognize the importance of furthering the
opportunities available to all Shawnee High School graduates. Our scholarships reward those who have
exhibited excellence, integrity, responsibility and respect for their fellow students as they continue their
quest for lifelong career growth and lives of engaged citizenship in a global society.
OUR MISSION
Just as the Shawnee Scholarship Fund rewards students, we work to exhibit the same excellence, integrity,
responsibility and respect for our donors and the community we serve.
Our Mission is therefore composed of multiple components. We educate alumni, students, and the
community on the need to support Shawnee graduates. We raise funds to provide that support, and
prudently manage the funds by adhering to a disciplined investment process. We oversee
the grant process and provide two types of scholarships - Legacy Scholarships and Named
Scholarships. Legacy Scholarships encompass all areas of study. Criteria for Named Scholarships are determined by the respective donors, subject to approval by our Advisory Board.
Scholarships are based upon submitted applications. Selection of award recipients are made by a volunteer committee comprised of our Board members and representatives of Shawnee Local Schools.
In May of 2024, the Fund awarded scholarships to fourteen graduating seniors. To see the names of these outstanding individuals along with prior recipients, please click HERE.
The Fund is open to receiving contributions from all sources, including Shawnee Alumni from all classes, as well as the community at large. For more information on the fund, the process, and how you can contribute to the success of SHS graduates, please visit all the pages of this website. Should you have additional questions, please email us at info@LimaShawneeScholarshipFund.org or click on the QUESTIONS? page above.
Legacy.
The meaning of life and legacy often go hand in hand. While legacy is unique to every person, Shawnee alumni all share a common history – our time spent in the halls, classrooms, playgrounds and athletic fields surrounding Shawnee Schools. Those experiences helped shape all of us into who we are today.
How you want to establish a legacy can take many forms. There are many ways to be remembered, and taking the time to consider those ways can help you fulfill your vision for a lasting impact. It may be the first time you’ve thought about your life’s purpose and what you want to leave behind. Or now may be the right time to revise previous plans to fit where you are now in life.
Ways to create a legacy...
There are many ways for you to leave a lasting impact. Ways you can establish a legacy are through:
Children or grandchildren
Your career, hobbies, or other passions
Reputation, core values, or character
Sharing sentimental objects or photos
Passing on key life lessons in verbal, written or video format
Volunteering time with charitable organizations
Giving assets either now or after passing to support causes important to you
You may already be charitably minded. You may also have never really thought about providing support to a worthy cause; a cause which you believe made a difference in your life, or the life of others. Either way, having a well thought out giving plan can lead to a more purposeful, impactful, and tax-wise philanthropy. As you think through your giving plan, you might want to consider the following:
What does your current giving plan look like? Do you support one or more specific organizations or are you casually helping friends and loved ones? Having clearly defined goals allows you to say “no” to donation requests that don’t fit into your giving plan, and “yes” to those you have already determined you wish to support.
What is the best way for you to give? Cash is not always the best way to give to a qualified charity. Non-cash assets such as securities may provide you with significant tax advantages. Not only could you receive a tax deduction for the value of your gift, but you could also escape any tax on your capital gains.
Should you make a gift now or upon your passing? Donors to the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund can make outright gifts now, or planned gifts after their lifetime. A big advantage of giving now is that you can see, meet, and talk with the recipients of your contributions, and follow them as they continue their education on the path of becoming valuable members of society. Many donors do both; they make gifts throughout their life and through their will. And if you are over 70 1/2, you may be able to make an immediate gift directly from your retirement account without any income tax to you.
We invite you to make a gift in support of the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund. Whether your gift is $10, $100, and $1,000, every gift is needed and appreciated by the worthy recipients of these scholarships. Contributions to the scholarship program may be made in honor of, or as a tribute to, an individual or group. Named scholarships are available so you might honor multiple family graduates or a person who has been meaningful in your life.
For more information on how you can contribute, review the menu at the top of this page or contact me directly at LimaShawneeScholarshipFund@gmail.com.
Tom Orchard, SHS Class of 1970
Chair, Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund
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