Hayden Huston Centennial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Wyoming Community Foundation
Hayden Huston Scholarship — Overview and Eligibility
Biography / Purpose of the Award
Hayden Huston, a 1941 graduate of Pinedale High School, was unable to attend college because of his family’s financial situation. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served throughout World War II, primarily in the Pacific Theater. During his military service he was awarded the Purple Heart and was aboard the battleship USS Missouri when Japan formally surrendered.
After the war, Navy training provided him with technical skills that were in demand by the U.S. Department of State. Soon after WWII he entered the Diplomatic Service and spent nearly four decades assigned to posts around the world, retiring in 1989. While stationed in Yugoslavia he met his wife, Ivanka. Reflecting on his life, Huston said that as a young man in Daniel he was desperate to see the world, and that his career with the State Department was essentially the ideal job he had dreamed of. He hoped the Huston Centennial Scholarship would demonstrate to Pinedale graduates that, with hard work, perseverance, discipline and some luck, someone from a small town can achieve their ambitions and one day give back to their community.
Mr. Huston died in 2006. He established this scholarship to mark the 100th anniversary of his father Tobe Huston’s arrival in the Green River Valley.
Who may apply
- Any graduating senior of Pinedale High School.
Award amount and duration
- $3,000 per year.
- Renewable for up to four years. Recipients must submit a renewal form annually to continue receiving the award.
Application requirements
- Written responses (essay) totaling between 2,000 and 3,000 characters (aim for a response of roughly 400 words or more).
- Describe the personal qualities or strengths you believe will contribute to your future success (in academics, athletics, volunteer service, employment, etc.).
- Explain how you plan to use those strengths to make the most of further education and to achieve long‑term success in life.
- Two letters of recommendation are required.
Please follow application instructions and deadlines provided by Pinedale High School when submitting materials.