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Houghton, Michigan—The 2016 Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarships were presented Thursday, May 26 at the Houghton High School Senior Honors Banquet. Maia Barnhart (left), Taryn Kaurala (not pictured), and Antoni Olszewski (right) were each awarded $2,541 scholarships.
Maia will be attending Gogebic Community College to study nursing. Taryn will be attending Gogebic Community College to study business. Antoni will be attending Northern Michigan University to study automotive service technology.
The Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2000 to honor the memory of Mr. Bernard F. Gaffney who was the principal of Houghton High School from 1937 to 1961 and the Superintendent of Houghton-Portage Township Schools from 1961 to 1966. Mr. Ted Gaffney, the son of Bernard F. Gaffney, along with a group of alumni from the Class of 1947, has been instrumental in establishing and promoting the scholarship fund.
The purpose of the fund is to help Houghton High School students or graduates who demonstrate character, need, and determination to achieve their specific educational or training goals. The scholarships are used to cover tuition, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the college for the academic year 2016-2017.
“My father was always trying to help the little guy,” said Ted Gaffney. “In his memory, we are continuing his legacy by helping the people in need of help who are continuously working to grow personally and professionally.”
The scholarships are supported through an endowment at the Keweenaw Community Foundation (KCF). In a continued effort to help students in need, a challenge has been issued to the community to help grow the fund at KCF. The family of Bernard F. Gaffney will match up to $5,000 in donations made to the endowment. Individuals looking to donate to the project can contribute to the Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarship endowment with the Keweenaw Community Foundation (KCF). Donations can be made online at www.keweenawgives.org.
