Mary L. Swan Memorial Scholarship

Mrs. Swan was a native of Randolph County, Arkansas. She attended Pocahontas Elementary School and Pocahontas High School. Pocahontas High School was her favorite high school, but she was unable to graduate from there because her parents moved to Walnut Ridge. She, consequently, graduated from Walnut Ridge High School.

Mrs. Swan attended Ft. Smith Junior College for two years prior to attending and graduating from Arkansas State College. She obtained her Remedial Reading Certificate by attending the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University.

Mrs. Swan began her teaching career as a sixth grade teacher at the Alma Spikes Elementary School in Pocahontas, AR. In that district, she, by choice, taught only sixth graders for eight years. In the St. Charles Missouri School district, Mrs. Swan taught fourth grade for one year and then became the remedial reading teacher for 20 years. Mrs. Swan taught a total of 29 years in the Pocahontas School and St. Charles School Districts.

Mr. and Mrs. Swan planned together to set-up a scholarship to help students pursue an elementary education degree. This scholarship is in her honor because she enjoyed working with students so much and knew that all students could be successful if motivated to do his/her very best.

Eligibility requirements for this scholarship are:

1. First preference is that award be made to an incoming freshman having graduated from Walnut Ridge (AR) High School, Pocahontas (AR) High School, Hoxie (AR) High School or any other high school located in Lawrence County, Randolph County, and Greene County in Northeast Arkansas, or from the Highland School District in Sharp County, Arkansas. Transfer students are eligible to apply only if he/she has atteneded an ASU branch, and graduated from one of the above mentioned schools.
2. Second preference is that award be to a student currently enrolled.
3. Must be a full-time student pursing an elementary or secondary education degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Financial need must be documented.
5. Demonstrate the abilities, personal qualities and scholarship conducive to become an outstanding teacher
6. Award is renewable through completion of the undergraduate degre of six (6) additional semesters, whichever occurs firs, provide drecipient continues to meet all award criteria.

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