HUMBOLDT — Cozy’s Grindhouse in downtown Humboldt was filled to capacity Wednesday afternoon as 25 seniors from Humboldt High School were recognized as recipients of the Humboldt Promise scholarship.
The Humboldt Promise scholarship is designed to open the door to education beyond high school. “This scholarship is good for 120 credits at any Title IV school in the United States,” said Humboldt Promise Coordinator Helen Kenny.
The Humboldt Promise, funded by the Works Family Foundation for at least the next 25 years, covers up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees — up to the highest in-state public university rate. Students have up to six years to earn the 120 credits.
The Humboldt Promise can be used at colleges, universities and technical schools across the country, offering flexibility for students pursuing anything from one-year certificates to four-year degrees. “Whatever you want to do after school, you can use this scholarship for,” Kenny said.
While the program is designed to be widely accessible, it is not automatic. Students must graduate from Humboldt High School with at least a 2.5 GPA, complete community service hours, and meet enrollment and attendance requirements. This year, with the program newly introduced, service hours were adjusted.
“They have to do 50 hours of approved community service, but it was prorated for this year,” Kenny explained. “This year’s seniors only have to do 12.5 because they only had one year.”
Even with the requirements, participation among seniors was high. This year’s graduating class includes 37 students.
“Practically all,” Kenny said when asked what percentage of the class qualified.
THE PROGRAM’S first full year has focused heavily on awareness and building opportunities for students to give back locally. Community service projects ranged from recycling and cemetery upkeep to helping with community events.
“The community service has to serve the Humboldt community,” Kenny said, noting projects like cardboard recycling, work at the cemetery and assisting with events such as Dia de Muertos and Water Wars.
Kenny is new to both the coordinator role and the country. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Kenny said the experience has been a busy but rewarding start.
“I took a pretty big leap of faith in moving to Humboldt to help organize this scholarship,” she said. “As I’m looking around the room now, I know I’ve made a great decision.” She noted the academic strength of the group, pointing out that while a 2.5 GPA is required, the average GPA of the graduating class is 3.5, with three students earning a perfect 4.0.
In addition to academics, the class logged more than 400 hours of community service in a single year.
The range of future plans among the recipients was equally broad. Kenny said the group includes students pursuing careers in health care, skilled trades, engineering, the arts and more, along with some still exploring their next steps.
“Each of you students here today has an opportunity that not many young people get,” she said.
THAT OPPORTUNITY also comes with expectations. During the ceremony, students signed a pledge committing to their education and to staying connected with the program throughout college. To maintain the scholarship, recipients must complete at least 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
