Scholarships - Friends of the Descanso Library

Descanso Branch Library - 9545 River Dr. (619)445-5279
Library Hours Tues. - 12pm -7pm Wed. & Thurs. -10am - 6pm Fri. & Sat. - 10am - 5pm Hours

Sunday– Monday Closed

Two scholarships are currently sponsored by the Friends of the Descanso Library. To see names of recent recipients, please go to the

Recipients page.

 

The annual Molly Jean Featheringill scholarship

One of our goals is tohelp some of our graduating seniors with their higher education.  We believe this scholarship is a very worthwhile cause and are pleased to continue this project. We give at least one annual scholarship of $1,000. Since we started this program in 2009, we have given scholarships to twelve deserving high school seniors.

In 2013, the scholarship was named after one of our founding members, Mollie Jean Featheringill. She was instrumental in getting the new library built as well as our three additions, and was consistently on the board as officer or chairperson until she retired in 2013.
Click to download the

Molly Jean Featheringill Scholarship.



The annual Shirley Somes Continuation scholarship

One of our goals is to to help some of our local adults with their higher education.  Sometimes it only takes a little help to keep someone started on the road to success.  We believe the scholarship is another worthwhile cause and are pleased to continue this project annually. We give at least one annual scholarship of $500. This year, we gave two scholarships to continuing students.

 2018 was the first year that this scholarship was offered. Shirley Somes was a staunch supporter and chairman of the original scholarship committee for many years.   

Click to download the

Shirley Somes Continuation Scholarship.





To be eligible for the Featheringill scholarship, the applicant must:

  • be a graduating senior
  • live in the 91916 zip code
  • write a 500 word essay
  • maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average
  • plan on attending a community college or university
  • submit 2 letters of recommendation.


To be eligible for the Somes scholarship,
the applicant must:

  • live in the 91916 zip code
  • intend to continue his/her education.
  • maintain a 2.0 or better grade point average
  • plan on attending a community college or university
  • submit 2 letters of recommendation.
  • Funds must be used for third or fourth year of college or second year of vocational training.


Selection for the Featheringill scholarship is an annual event held during April and May.  You will find Information about how to apply at the Library in March.

Schedule:

March 17 –Applications will be in the library for pickup
May 11 - Applications are due back to the library
May – Applications due; applicant information is blinded to Friends and committee members.
tbd – The scholarship committee reads essays and applications
tbd – Oral interviews with applicants


Selection for the Somes Continuation Scholarship is an annual event held during April and May.  You will find Information about how to apply at the Library in March.

March – Fliers and announcements are posted and put on various social media sites.
May – Applicant submits a short letter which includes:
    the reason he/she is pursuing this type of education
    how this type of education will contribute to the betterment of Descanso
May – Applications due; applicant information is blinded to Friends and committee members.
tbd – The scholarship committee reads essays and applications
tbd – Oral interviews with applicants


The scholarship committee (a panel of 5 judges) decides on the recipient of the Shirley Somes and Molly Jean Featheringill scholarships.  Essays are reproduced without names and scored by the judges. An oral interview follows, during which the panel asks questions of the applicant.  

Go to the top of the page.

We accept donations to both Scholarship Funds. 

Please check the

donation page

on our website or send the

scholarship donation form

with your check. Thank you for supporting this important Friends activity.