Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1959 Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

Introduction and background
In 1959 — the same year Alaska became the 50th state, the Cold War was an international backdrop, and Dwight D. Eisenhower was president — a group of seniors at Mt. Pleasant High School were occupied with the usual end-of-high-school activities: senior events, Friday night plans, and preparing for graduation. Classmate Janice Brien Huffman recalled, “We were a fun class who enjoyed being where we were, enjoyed the moments,” and later reflected that the group “just accomplished more than anyone of us would have expected.”

Their experiences were shaped by the local schools and by the era. Many of the Class of 1959 were the first to attend the then-new circular high school on the site of the present, much-updated Mt. Pleasant High School; others had attended elementary school and the earlier high school on Fancher Street. Budget constraints meant students often attended only half days. The class endured hardship as well, including the death of a classmate in an automobile accident, and they engaged in lighter memories like pranks in the circle courtyard. Faculty influence left a mark: math teacher Miss Montague later described the 1959 cohort as the most cohesive class she had known.

Personality and reunions
Members of the class stayed connected through the decades, arranging reunions at five-year intervals. Huffman described them as unpredictable but steadfast in preserving friendships: “Our class members really developed into leaders, no matter what field individuals chose.” Yearbook editor Kay Krapohl recorded a memorable exhortation from Rev. Robert C. Smith in the senior yearbook: “Today’s young person must be like a thermostat, controlling his actions, [rather] than a thermometer which merely reflects what ‘everyone else’ is doing.” Many alumni took that guidance to heart.

Formation of the legacy fund
As the 50th reunion approached, the Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1959 established an endowed scholarship fund with the Foundation to create a lasting benefit for the Mt. Pleasant community and its high school. The reunion planning committee, formed at the class’ 45th reunion in 2005, was chaired by Connie Wittekind Conley and included members living across the United States; they met periodically to organize reunion activities and to set up the fund. The Legacy Fund was created partly in memory of 40 classmates.

Purpose of the scholarship
The Class of 1959 Legacy Fund is intended to help students who have aspirations to continue their education but face financial, family, or confidence-related obstacles. Huffman described the ideal recipients as those who may have unusual family circumstances, who have been overlooked in school, or who initially doubted their ability to pursue post–high school education. Awards from the fund may be used for tuition, books, and supplies. Descendants of members of the MPHS Class of 1959 are eligible for consideration and are not excluded by this scholarship.

Scholarship eligibility criteria
- Applicant must be a graduating senior from Mt. Pleasant High School or WAY-Oasis High School, or a previous graduate of one of those schools.
- Applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
- Applicant should express a clear commitment to their chosen career path.
- Applicant must plan to enroll in an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or university located in the state of Michigan.