HOLDING COURT

Mid-Valley students honored with scholarships: Holding Court

Lee Clarkson
Salem Statesman Journal

Hailey Lewetag, James Moore score scholarships from credit union

Hailey Lewetag received a $5,000 scholarship in the OnPoint Community Credit Union Scholar Program.

Two Salem students received scholarships in the OnPoint Community Credit Union Scholar Program, which recognizes scholar-athletes and activity scholars who are graduating seniors of an Oregon School Activities Association member school.

Hailey Lewetag of North Salem High School received a $5,000 scholarship and James Moore of Blanchet Catholic School was a $1,000 scholarship winner.

OnPoint and the OSAA awarded $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors who achieved a 3.50 or higher cumulative GPA and earned either a varsity letter in an OSAA-sanctioned sport or competed in an OSAA-sanctioned activity, according to a release.

Winners were selected based on academic achievement, community leadership, two letters of recommendation and three essay questions on how participating in OSAA activities has either taught them a lesson or helped them achieve their goals.

Lewetag was an Honor Roll student all four years at North Salem while taking AP, IB and honors courses. She won 5A state titles in the 800-meter race and as the anchor for the 4x400-meter relay in 2019. Lewetag, who was once a foster child, has provided support for others in foster care by passing out gifts to local kids around the holidays for the last three years. Last year, she delivered 250 gifts to Marion County and 200 to the Yamhill County Department of Human Services.

Lewetag will attend Portland State University and run for their track and field team.

Moore served as student body president at Blanchet Catholic School, an Inspire Salem Youth Leadership Foundation representative, captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams and president of the National Honor Society. He earned a 4.2 weighted GPA while taking AP, honors and dual credit classes.

James Moore, left, of Blanchet Catholic School received a $1,000 scholarship.

Moore will attend George Fox University, where he will play basketball and study to become a high school teacher like his parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents, the release said.

Learn more about the OnPoint Community Credit Union Scholar Program at www.osaa.org/awards/scholar.

Relief fund to assist Stayton-area small businesses hurt during pandemic

The Stayton-Sublimity Chamber of Commerce and Stayton Area Rotary have announced the creation of the Stayton Regional Small Business Relief Fund.

The new fund is intended to assist local small businesses financially hurt by COVID-19 and help them reopen and operate in compliance with new governmental guidelines, the organizations said in a release.

Stayton Area Rotary has contributed $15,000 from its own foundation to start the fund. The organizations are seeking donations from individuals, businesses and organizations that were not impacted by COVID-19 to grow the fund. The goal is to help as many local businesses as possible.

The fund has also received a matching donation of up to $100,000 from Mike and Steffani Klein as well as a $1,000 donation from Maps Credit Union.

Contributions are tax-deductible and can be made by check or online:

  • Mail a check payable to Stayton Area Rotary Foundation c/o Relief Fund, PO Box 267, Stayton OR 97383
  • Drop off a check payable to Stayton Area Rotary Foundation c/o Relief Fund at the Stayton branch of Columbia Bank, 1800 Wilco Road in Stayton
  • Donate online to the Stayton Area Rotary Foundation at squareup.com/store/stayton-area-rotary-foundation

Grants will be awarded to local small businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and need to expend funds in order to reopen or operate in accordance with new governmental guidelines, the release said. Funds may be used for the purchase of items such as protective equipment, plexiglass barriers or signs.

For purposes of the grant, the term “small business” will be defined as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or other business entity employing 15 or fewer persons, the release said.

Small businesses in Stayton, Sublimity, Jefferson, Scio, Aumsville, Turner and the Santiam Canyon are encouraged to apply.

Grant applications will be available Monday, June 1. Grants will be reviewed and awarded each week on a first-­come, first-served basis, as long as funds are available, the release said.

For more information, contact Carmélle Bielenberg at 503-769-3464 or check out each organization's Facebook page: facebook.com/StaytonSublimityChamber or facebook.com/StaytonAreaRotary.

Trio of Mid-Valley students receive college scholarships

The Associated Oregon Loggers Scholarship Committee met earlier this month and announced three winners of college scholarships.

At its May 1 meeting, the committee announced Stacey Dunkley of Salem, Luke Mehlschau of Jefferson and Rachel Villarreal of Keizer had each been awarded a $1,500 scholarship. 

Each student will attend Oregon State University and study either forestry or a forest resource production curriculum.

Learn more about the organization at www.oregonloggers.org.

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