As Washington County high school seniors begin to dawn their caps and gowns, receive their diplomas while their families cheer, and move their tassels from right to left, almost 50 students will be doing so with an added confidence.

Marietta Community Foundation has awarded 44 scholarships to 49 local students in the past several weeks. The Foundation has already awarded over $145,000 in scholarships, including past recipients who have renewed their previously won scholarships.

This past January, the Foundation announced they had received the largest bequest in their 45-year history from the estate of Adriann “Arie” Janssens. According to Arie’s wishes, the majority of this bequest was to be used to set up a scholarship fund in memory of his late wife Carol Christy. The Carol Christy Scholarship is able to cover up to 50% of a recipients total tuition cost.

This year, several students were inducted into the Foundation’s history by being the first recipients of The Carol Christy Scholarship. While the exact amount has yet to be determined, this scholarship could add an additional $177,000 in scholarships; bringing the Foundation’s potential award total to over $322,000.

Applicants submitted their scholarship application packets by the April 5th deadline. Depending on the scholarship, students had to provide academic information, financial information, and write multiple essays. Once the Foundation compiled all of the application packets, committees and funders determined who would be awarded each scholarship.

The Marietta Community Foundation meets National Standards for operational quality, donor service and accountability in the community foundation sector. Founded in 1974, the Marietta Community Foundation has grown over the years thanks to a number of generous gifts.

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