The Oklahoma City Community Foundation recently awarded scholarships to two Seminole County high school graduates through the state’s largest independent scholarship program. Lauren Allen from Seminole High School and Shelley Thomas from Wewoka High School received a total of $8,000 in scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year.

Allen is a recipient of the H.W. Almen/West OKC Rotary Scholarship, a $4,000 award offered to Oklahoma high school graduating seniors. Allen will begin undergraduate studies at Seminole State College this fall.

Thomas is a recipient of the John Meacham Fogg Memorial Scholarship, a $2,000 award offered to second- and third-year students enrolled in a nursing program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center or Oklahoma City University, as well as registered nurses or licensed professional nurses who are pursuing an advanced degree in nursing. She also received the Nurse Education Program Scholarship, an award up to $2,000 offered to third- and fourth-year college students enrolled in a nursing program as well as practicing registered nurses who are pursuing a nursing-related bachelor’s degree. Thomas will continue pursuing her degree at Oklahoma City University this fall.

“The rising cost of higher education is a major barrier for many college hopefuls,” said Nancy Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. “But, thanks to our generous donors who recognize the importance of education and the role it can play in shaping these students’ futures, we offer more than 160 scholarship opportunities and support more than 800 college-bound students each year.”

Designed to support a diverse range of students, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s scholarship program offers students the ability to pursue career and educational opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. In total, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation awarded nearly $2.8 million in scholarships to 821 students throughout the state for the 2021-22 academic year. Online Scholarship Appli

Online Scholarship Applications Open Oct. 1 for 2022-23 Academic Year

Graduating seniors from all 77 Oklahoma counties may be eligible to apply for scholarships for the upcoming year. Online applications open Oct. 1, 2021. To learn more about the scholarships available through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit occf.org/ scholarships.

About the Oklahoma City Community Foundation

Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c) (3) public charity that works with donors throughout the state to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit www.occf.org.