Chamber raises funds

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yranaivo@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- Proceeds from a Wednesday Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce luncheon will provide more than $5,000 in scholarship money for a program that allows high school students to earn college credits, the Chamber's executive director Matt Hunter estimated.

The Chamber's second annual fundraising luncheon for School District 25's dual-enrollment program was hosted at the Red Lion Hotel and featured speakers including Idaho State University President Arthur Vailas and District 25 Superintendent Mary Vagner.

The dual-enrollment program, in its third year at ISU, has enabled nearly 900 high school students to take early general education and preparatory courses at ISU for college credit.

While the Chamber accepts donations throughout the year, Hunter said the luncheon highlights the importance of funding dual-enrollment.

Admission to the luncheon was $25 per person, with $15 of the fee going directly to the scholarship fund. Businesses also made another donation on top of the individual admission fee.

Some of the sponsors included the ISU Foundation, the Bannock Development Corporation and J.R. Simplot Co.

Some luncheon guests also opted to pledge additional donations to the Chamber's scholarship fund.

"We need a mass of people to contribute if we want to continue enrolling students in the program," Hunter said. "We already had a number of people (before the luncheon) who have called and said, 'I want to support this (program).'"

Although the program's fees are much lower than an ISU undergraduate's per-credit tuition cost, Vagner said paying for class can still be a financial burden for high schoolers who come from low-income families.

High schoolers take the college courses during regular school hours and can choose to either take them at ISU or in their schools' classrooms.

Vagner said taking the courses at ISU costs more than $200 per credit hour, but costs are $65 per credit hour if the student takes them at his or her school.

Although there are no firm requirements for taking part in the dual-enrollment program, Vagner said scholarship applicants have to submit a review of their financial needs, an essay and demonstrate an "outstanding" academic record in order to receive aid.

She said the fundraiser really helps keep the program running by assisting the participating students financially.

"We educate every single child no matter what their circumstances are," Vagner said. "Without that trust and confidence (from the community), (the dual-enrollment program) wouldn't be here today."

During his speech at the luncheon, Vailas recalled his high school years. He said he was a "star" athlete who was "hanging on" to a C average.

Vailas said he was initially afraid to go to college because of his average academic performance in high school. However, he said he would have been more confident if he would have had access to a dual-enrollment program that brings "college in high school and high school in college."

"If I had an early college program, I would have felt a lot better about going to college," Vailas said.

By Yann Ranaivo

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