Four BFHS grads awarded scholarships by local P.E.O.

BONNERS FERRY — Four Bonners Ferry High School graduates received $1,000 scholarships.

The scholarships were awarded to the four 2023 female graduates of Bonners Ferry High School by Chapter AP, a philanthropic educational organization at an award luncheon, held at the Dodge Peak Lodge on June 10.

All scholarships were made possible through the support of the local community during fundraising events, including nut sales during the holiday season and a spring yard sale, as well as local donations for this purpose.

Three of the four candidates, Kaylee McCabe, Jasmine Daniels and Trew Lammers as well as family members and guests, a local donor and several past award winners, joined members of Chapter AP for this event.

One of the scholarships was awarded in the memory of Mary Hayes, a longtime local P.E.O. member. This year’s Mary Hayes Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Trew Lammers, who will be attending the University of Idaho where she will be studying agricultural systems management.

Trew has been working both at Elk Mountain Farms during the summer as well as at Kerry Supply as a freight specialist and parts associate, both before and after school.

George Hayes, Mary’s son who farms near Porthill, attended the luncheon and presented a $1,000 check for next year’s memorial scholarship.

Kaylee McCabe, who is this year’s class salutatorian, will be attending Boise State University where she will be studying biology. She plans to go on to medical school and become a forensic pathologist. Kaylee has already earned her associate’s degree from North Idaho College and has been working for the Boundary County School District as a K-3 paraprofessional.

She has been active in the robotics club since 2019 and served as its team leader this past year. Kaylee has been involved with leadership of the computer science robotics summer camp for the past five years, and was last year’s camp leader.

Jasmine Daniels plans to attend the University of Idaho where she will be studying applied physics. She hopes to work as a researcher in the field of astrophysics. Jasmine has a high class ranking, and has been very active in FFA and sports as well as working part-time during the school year.

Her letters of recommendation from her teachers remarked on her strong work ethic and kind nature, generously tutoring other students in math during her free time.

Emma Lucas, who was not able to attend Saturday’s luncheon due to work commitments, will be attending Big Bend Community College on a volleyball scholarship. Emma also received her associate’s degree in social work from NIC this spring and ranked very high in her class. She was an award-winning participant in the Distinguished Young Women program, earning the Be Your Best Self Award, voted on by the participants themselves, her junior year. She has outstanding letters of recommendation, including the following “I can attest to her work ethic, her drive, her intellect, and her ability to perform under extreme pressure.”

The mission of P.E.O. founded more than 150 years ago, is to provide inspiration and educational opportunities for women. Chapter AP in Bonners Ferry has been in existence since 1937. Local college scholarships began in 1956. Since 2000 the chapter has provided 36 college scholarships for local women.