Neil Muth Memorial Scholarship’s first winners announced

Three students are the first recipients of the Neil Muth Memorial Scholarship established earlier this year by the Muth family and Columbia Basin Trust.

The scholarship awarded $3,500 each to three students who have overcome adversity to pursue their educational dreams. Michael Cupello from Trail, Natalia Grass from Golden and Cole Hoodicoff from Castlegar are the recipients of the scholarship this year.

“We received more than 100 applications for the scholarship,” said Cathy Muth, Neil’s wife. “There were many brave stories, each one worth hearing. It was a privilege to read them. We appreciate the courage and honesty of all of the applicants, and were moved by the very personal stories each one of the three recipients shared with us. They exemplify the spirit of perseverance we want to acknowledge with this scholarship.”

The Neil Muth Memorial Scholarship honours Neil Muth, the Trust’s president and chief executive officer from 2005 through 2016, who passed away last November. Neil valued and supported perseverance and continuous learning. He encouraged his children, staff and others to be curious, to seek their own path, and to never give up.

The scholarship is awarded by the Muth family, administered by Columbia Basin Trust and made possible by the generous donations of family, friends, local governments and organizations.