Three DCG seniors say scholarships will let them focus on college

Three graduating students in the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District told meeting attendees that scholarship awards will let them concentrate on college rather than finances.

The students — identified in the transcript as Student 1, Student 2 and Student 3 — described the colleges they will attend and said the financial support was “life changing.” Student 3 said the award would allow time for activities and reduce stress about paying for school; Student 1 and Student 2 also thanked the district and community for support.

Student 1 said, "I'll be at Drake University next year doing a double major in English and law, politics, and society." Student 2 said, "I will be attending Iowa State University to study interior design." Student 3 said, "I'll be attending the University of Northern Iowa to major in biology and study pre dentistry. It means the world to me." Student 3 later added, "This amount of money is just gonna change my life altogether. I mean, it's gonna give me so many opportunities to join so many more activities without focusing on the stress of paying for college and wondering where my next paycheck is gonna be. I can just focus on school and live in the moment and enjoy it." Student 2 said the award meant the community "is willing to help me and help me pursue my goals."

The students spoke about personal circumstances: one said they had worked since age 14 and that the award would help shift focus from earning to studying. The transcript did not specify the scholarship program name, the number of awards, or dollar amounts; those details were not stated during the remarks.

Remarks occurred during a public-facing portion of the meeting (speech segments recorded in the meeting transcript). No formal board action, motion or vote about the scholarships is recorded in the transcript excerpts provided.