(Jan. 12, 2017) The people in charge of the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship want its namesake remembered for his altruism above all else, and so made that — rather than academic achievement or a specific program of study — the deciding factor in awarding the funds.
Funds for the scholarship have increased this year, to a total of $15,000.
“We’ve been giving $12,000 for the last five years, but when we look at the tuition bills they keep going up and up,” Ron Pilling, the fund’s treasurer, said. “We’ve never changed our offering.”
Pilling said the memorial fund’s signature event, Jesse’s Paddle, was very successful this year, and along with the group’s other fundraising efforts the increased scholarship value shouldn’t overburden the organization.
“By and large we’ve had a very gratifying year,” Pilling said.
Choosing a member of the graduating class of Snow Hill High School each year to receive those funds, Pilling said, isn’t always easy — but is based on the example Jesse Klump set himself. Nominations for the scholarship opened Jan. 1.
“I knew Jesse was a good kid, but I never knew how good,” Pilling said. “Shortly after he died we started getting messages on his Facebook page. They still come in.”
Klump took his own life in 2009.
“He would regularly visit one of his friend’s mother while she was in the hospital,” he said.
Another story came in about Klump’s experience at band camp, where an individual was having a tough time, but found a sympathetic ear in Jesse Klump.
“The message said even though I only knew him two weeks, he was my best friend,” Pilling said.
This behavior set the precedent for how the scholarship in Jesse’s name would work — academics were largely irrelevant — altruism is the key.
“This isn’t based on grades, which is what sets us apart. We get applicants that showcase the regular stuff: Habitat for Humanity etc., but we’re looking for the stuff that doesn’t show up on a resume,” he said. “Students tend to keep these things under their hats but that’s the stuff we want to see. Jesse’s altruism inspired us and continues to inspire us.”
Pilling said the board wants to be told a story or anecdote to support an application.
“It’s got to be more than straight As,” he said.
The funds don’t necessarily need to be spent on a four-year institution, either.
“We make a $15,000 commitment to a particular student. If they want to go to beautician school, we’ll pay for it, but it has to be reputable,” Pilling said.
The funds don’t necessarily need to be spent on tuition, or all at once, he said.
Nomination forms are available at www.choosetolovemaryland.org/scholarship.html. The deadline to submit nominations is April 1.
Funds for the scholarship have increased this year, to a total of $15,000.
“We’ve been giving $12,000 for the last five years, but when we look at the tuition bills they keep going up and up,” Ron Pilling, the fund’s treasurer, said. “We’ve never changed our offering.”
Pilling said the memorial fund’s signature event, Jesse’s Paddle, was very successful this year, and along with the group’s other fundraising efforts the increased scholarship value shouldn’t overburden the organization.
“By and large we’ve had a very gratifying year,” Pilling said.
Choosing a member of the graduating class of Snow Hill High School each year to receive those funds, Pilling said, isn’t always easy — but is based on the example Jesse Klump set himself. Nominations for the scholarship opened Jan. 1.
“I knew Jesse was a good kid, but I never knew how good,” Pilling said. “Shortly after he died we started getting messages on his Facebook page. They still come in.”
Klump took his own life in 2009.
“He would regularly visit one of his friend’s mother while she was in the hospital,” he said.
Another story came in about Klump’s experience at band camp, where an individual was having a tough time, but found a sympathetic ear in Jesse Klump.
“The message said even though I only knew him two weeks, he was my best friend,” Pilling said.
This behavior set the precedent for how the scholarship in Jesse’s name would work — academics were largely irrelevant — altruism is the key.
“This isn’t based on grades, which is what sets us apart. We get applicants that showcase the regular stuff: Habitat for Humanity etc., but we’re looking for the stuff that doesn’t show up on a resume,” he said. “Students tend to keep these things under their hats but that’s the stuff we want to see. Jesse’s altruism inspired us and continues to inspire us.”
Pilling said the board wants to be told a story or anecdote to support an application.
“It’s got to be more than straight As,” he said.
The funds don’t necessarily need to be spent on a four-year institution, either.
“We make a $15,000 commitment to a particular student. If they want to go to beautician school, we’ll pay for it, but it has to be reputable,” Pilling said.
The funds don’t necessarily need to be spent on tuition, or all at once, he said.
Nomination forms are available at www.choosetolovemaryland.org/scholarship.html. The deadline to submit nominations is April 1.