We will be placing touching letters we have received here for all to see the great things Sisters GRO can accomplish with your support.

Dear Sisters GRO foundation, local scholarship sponsors, and the Sisters Community: 

I wanted to express my enormous gratitude for your financial and emotional support for my college career. The Stewart & Verle Weitzman Scholarship, Bill Edwards SHS Alumni Spirit Scholarship, and the Sisters Kiwanis Scholarship have made my college experience possible. I am almost finished with my first quarter as a student at Stanford, and I am having the best time of my life! Stanford has provided me with more opportunities and resources than I could have possibly imagined. The classes and activities that I have had the opportunity to participate in have already allowed me to fulfill many of my goals...

...The financial support from these community members has made my education possible. To apply the economic principles of John Taylor: the costs of a college education may seem insurmountably high for a single student to justify, but the greater benefits to society and positive externalities vastly outweigh one student’s individual cost. When one Sisters student goes to college, they may earn a higher income. But more importantly, the investment in their human capital provides much broader social benefits for our community. This is precisely why it is important for the Sisters community to help its students handle the costs of college. Everyone benefits when Sisters Outlaws come back from college as doctors, teachers, business people and engineers.           

If the Sisters community wishes to prosper in difficult economic times, we must expand our support of our Outlaw graduates. Today’s students will be responsible for supporting the world of tomorrow. I urge everyone in Sisters to talk to graduates who are in college right now or who have recently returned from college. I am sure that they will describe how important a college education was for them and how essential financial aid was for their education. Thank you again for your support and please continue to support future graduating classes of Sisters Outlaws! 

With gratitude,

T. Wesley Ford

Sisters High School Class of ‘09

Stanford University class of ‘13

...the Veterans Scholarship... If there was one piece of advice I would give, I would say approach it like a learning process rather than a scholarship. Even if you don't win there is so much that you learn. I'm so grateful to Lynn Johnston for setting up such a wonderful opportunity not only to earn money for college, but to learn about our country and everyone who protects it and fights for it. This opportunity gave me the chance to read one of the most powerful books I have ever read (Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutrell) and to learn about my grandfather, uncle, and cousin's experiences in the airforce and navy. It completely changed my views and ideas on the military and I have the utmost respect for everyone that serves. 

This scholarship has definitely been a huge help in paying for college and was one of the factors allowing me to come to Whitman where I have been having an amazing time and know that I will get a high quality education! 

-Molly Blust (SHS Class of 2009)

I am doing very well. I love Seattle Pacific University, I'm making a lot of great friends and my classes are terrific. I'm not quite sure yet, but I'm probably going to major in economics, which actually involves quite a lot of math. If I continue to pursue it at the graduate level, I will need to take the next two courses in calculus...

In terms of the veterans scholarship, the entire process was incredible. Not only was I able to help preserve the memory of an amazing man, but it also gave me a much deeper appreciation for the sacrifices of all our veterans.  

-Sam Fullhart (SHS Class of 2009)

The incredible support from the Sisters community and scholarship program has offered me the opportunity to explore options in college that I never thought possible. I am currently interning as a News Anchor for KBVR and am hoping to study in China to build skills for my minor in Mandarin Chinese. Thanks Sisters!

-Christina Holler (SHS Class of 2008)

I have always worked hard, but it was great to go off to college knowing people at home in Sisters believed in me too. Scholarships really helped me get through my first year at Willamette.

– Slater Smith (SHS Class of 2008)

I really appreciate what the Sisters Community has given both in the education and in the scholarships. You have given me a model to live by and it makes me want to give back!

- Kelsey White (SHS Class of 2008)