Through the generosity of community members, the Oneida Education Foundation has established three new endowed scholarship funds. These new endowments made possible the awarding of more scholarships to members of the Class of 2026 and will continue to support college-bound graduates of Malad High School.

Jay and Julie Hansen established the J&J Farms Scholarship Endowment, stipulating that on even-numbered years, the scholarship be awarded to a student going into education, and in odd-numbered years, the scholarship be awarded to a student going into an agriculture-related field. Julie taught kindergarten for many years at Malad Elementary School, and Jay owns and operates the family farm in Pocatello Valley.

Ken and Karalee Tooke established the Kenneth J. Tooke II and Karalee Waldron Tooke Family Perseverance Scholarship Fund, stipulating that the scholarship be awarded to students who have shown exceptional resilience in graduating from high school and planning to go to college.

Kim Wittman honored her late father, John Wittman, by establishing a scholarship fund in his memory; scholarships are to go to students pursuing agriculture-related majors.  She also set up the Women in STEM scholarship to be awarded to a woman graduate planning to major in a STEM field.

Through the generosity of all scholarship donors, the OEF was able to award 112 scholarships to 50 Malad High School graduates this year.  Each student’s scholarship is worth a minimum of $1000, with donor funds often being divided up so that a student may receive more than one scholarship with the total value at $1000. 

In addition to the endowed scholarships, seven local organizations and businesses fund annual scholarships which means they decide each year whether or not to give one or more scholarships, usually to employees or members or their children.

The Oneida Education Foundation now has 59 scholarship funds and 5 funds to support curriculum projects through teacher grants. Many of the endowments are set up to honor family members, friends, classmates, and teachers. These endowments become a lasting legacy to these people.

Usually an endowment is established with a minimum of $1000.  Once the fund reaches $1500, it is invested in secure mutual funds through the Edward Jones Investment Company. When an endowment is established, the donor stipulates the criteria for awarding scholarships or grants from the fund, and a Memorandum of Understanding is signed by the donor and a representative of the OEF.  

For more information on donating to an OEF endowment or establishing an endowment through the Oneida Education Foundation, please contact Jean Thomas, Chair, at [email protected] or 208-509-2262 or see the website: www.oneidaeducationfoundation.org.