FAN’s Laura J. Harward Scholarship Fund awards $28,000 to 14 graduating C.O. high school students

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Family Access Network is pleased to announce that 14 Central Oregon graduating high school students have each received a $2,000 scholarship to pursue their post-secondary education. This is the third year that FAN is able to provide this opportunity to students through the Laura J. Harward Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship is in honor of Laura J. Harward, a lifelong resident of Oregon. A graduate of Oregon public schools, Laura’s greatest joy was supporting her five children in their own school and extra-curricular activities. She organized her local elementary and middle school Battle of the Books teams and was a moderator for regional and state battles. Laura worked as a volunteer school librarian, was Sheldon High School football’s biggest (and loudest) fan, and believed in building a strong foundation through public education.

The 14 scholarship recipients will be attending schools as far away as Georgetown University and as close as Phagan’s Beauty College and COCC in Central Oregon.  Recipients worked closely with the FAN advocate in their high school to apply for the scholarship. Names of the 14 students will remain anonymous to allow for confidentiality as FAN clients.

“I would like to tell you that I am so grateful that you have awarded me this scholarship. I deeply appreciate you and the opportunity that you have given me to better my higher education.”

- A scholarship recipient

“All the recipients of this year’s Laura J. Harward Scholarship have shown grit, determination and a drive to succeed. Whether it was as student body president in high school, or volunteer librarian in her children’s school, Laura strengthened her school communities. We’re confident this year’s scholars will continue to be active members of their own communities and will continue to give back, just as Laura did. If she could have, Laura would have torn down every obstacle to education and opportunity. We’re so impressed by all these students have already accomplished in their own young lives.” – Tasha McFarland, FAN Foundation Board member and Laura’s sister.

Unique to Central Oregon, FAN began in 1993 and currently employs 30 advocates at 65 sites in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. These advocates work tirelessly to help families break the cycle of poverty. The direct placement of FAN advocates within schools allows FAN to effectively reach and connect disadvantaged children and families to essential basic needs.

To learn more about the Family Access Network, please visit familyaccessnetwork.org or call (541) 693-5675.

Family Access Network’s mission is to offer assistance, possibility and hope to Central Oregon families in need by connecting them with crucial resources that will help children flourish in school and in life. Every year, FAN advocates improve the lives of nearly 8,000 children and family members in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties.