Two Clear Lake High School (CLHS) graduates will head to college this fall with $2,500 scholarships from the inaugural Clear Lake High School “Falcon Fest” Scholarship program.

Abigail Murphy and Hunter Hartman were selected from nine applicants to receive the scholarships, which was created by CLHS alumni following the first annual “Falcon Fest” event this past March. 

The committee and program was formed to support students who may not fit the traditional profile of scholarship recipients, but have the need and determination to plan for their future.

Murphy will attend Texas Tech University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. As she prepares for her studies, she’s completing a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program. Her experience caring for younger family members helped inspire her interest in nursing.

“College tuition is expensive, and this scholarship will help my first year of college be more affordable,” said Murphy. 

Hartman will attend Texas State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and study Agribusiness. He said he was surprised when he received the scholarship and hopes the money will ease the financial burden of college for his parents.

Both students encourage future seniors at CLHS to apply, and not count themselves out simply because they are not straight-A students.

“Study hard and pay attention in class,” said Hartman. “It gets pretty easy.” 

“Falcon Fest” organizers explained that the winners stood out because their application essays were personal and demonstrated genuine financial need. Hartman wrote about challenges his family has faced and his desire to eventually help his parents, while Murphy connected her experiences caring for children to her goal of becoming a nurse.

That focus on need was intentional. Organizers said the scholarship was created to reach students who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional scholarship programs.

“We didn’t want necessarily your straight-A student getting all the scholarships,” said Cindi Fisher, “Falcon Fest” committee member and Class of 1983 alumnus. “We wanted someone that needed it.”

The program offered two $2,500 scholarships to students with GPAs between 2.5 and 3.5 who planned to pursue a trade school, certificate program, or college degree.

The “Falcon Fest” committee hopes to increase the number of scholarships available in future years. With nine applications in its first year, the group said it is already looking for additional ways to raise money and expand the program.

“I’m thankful to the seasoned Falcon alumni for giving back to new graduates like me,” said Murphy. “I hope I will be able to do the same one day.”