Major donation made
Megan Strickland
School board member Duane Wieble shakes the hand of Deborah Thrailkill, who presented a $100,000 donation to Charlo Schools.
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CHARLO – At least 20 Charlo High School students will receive financial help as they pursue higher education over the next two decades, after a donor committed $100,000 to a scholarship program for the students in April.
Deborah Thrailkill presented the six-figure check to the Charlo School Board on April 21 on behalf of donor Clayton DeVoe. Thrailkill said DeVoe’s younger siblings and his children went to Charlo schools, so in 2007 DeVoe made a $100,000 initial donation to the school for scholarships. The money was invested, with the scholarships being funded by the interest made on the account.
The economy and interest rates tanked, but the cost of education kept rising, Thrailkill said.
“So we are bringing you another check for $100,000,” she said. DeVoe has asked that the school be allowed to use the principal amount of the donation, instead of just the interest, so that two $5,000 scholarships will be given out each year.
“Just go ahead and use it until it runs out,” Thrailkill told the board.
Students who receive the scholarship must demonstrate a suitable grade point average, school and community involvement, and financial need. If the school district ever dissolves, the remainder of the funding is to go to a child from Charlo who is in need of financial aid for higher education.
Board members beamed as they thanked Thrailkill for the donation.
“It is an amazing gesture by Mr. DeVoe to provide this scholarship to Charlo students,” Superintendent Thom Peck said. “It is also a testament to Mr. DeVoe’s strong belief in Charlo Schools and giving kids a chance to further their education despite financial difficulties.”
