One of our favorite initiatives at the chamber is the NACC Scholarship program. Each year our scholarship committee reviews around 30 or so applications from seniors at the Norwalk High School for the opportunity to receive a $500 scholarship to pursue college. The rising cost of a college education and living expenses is challenging our students. Thankfully, our community businesses and organizations have stepped up to provide 94 scholarships totaling over $60,000 to help students get a leg up on college tuition and books. I personally have had one senior graduate in the top 10 of her class and even though her academics were on point and she completed many applications the scholarship funds were a challenge to get. This challenge shows how these local scholarships are so important as every bit helps a student on their path to a higher education.

Last year the chamber decided to offer four scholarships instead of three. One scholarship always goes to the student of the year chosen by the Norwalk High School. This year’s recipient was Grant Kimball a very talented Norwalk High School graduate that has been accepted at West Point, the United States Naval Academy and US Air Force Academy. We wish him all the best in his endeavors.

The remaining three NACC Scholarship recipients this year were announced at the Norwalk Honors Night on May 19. The honorees are Alexis Popken, Hannah Kehoe, and Sydney Fisher. Alexis and Hannah plan on attending the University of Iowa in the fall and Sydney will attend Iowa State University. We are so proud of all our scholarship recipients and Norwalk High School graduates and look forward to seeing their next accomplishments as move forward in their college education.

The chamber funds these scholarships through various events. The Celebrate Norwalk 4^th of July Party in the Park and Norwalk Music Fest are two events that the chamber hosts a beer tent with a special tip jar. All proceeds from the tip jars go to our scholarship fund. We also hold an Annual Golf Outing which will be held at Legacy Golf this year on June 16^th. Mulligan sales from the event also help fund our scholarships. “It’s for the kids” as we say.

We are grateful to have such a giving community that cares for its citizens at every level. I like to think it is our true superpower.