It’s encouraging to see something familiar to Youngsville High School remaining in place as the school itself enters its final days.

The Youngsville High School Alumni Scholarship Fund will offer scholarships to qualifying Youngsville High School seniors at the school’s final graduation in June.

More importantly, the scholarship committee plans to continue offering scholarships to students living in the current Youngsville High School attendance area.

That’s good news, especially for the near future, for Youngsville-area students who are looking for some help paying for college. Each scholarship will be for a minimum amount of $1,000 and will be paid to the school of the senior upon completion of his/her first semester or term at a college, university or technical school.

The Youngsville High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, established in 1985, is built on cash donations, memorials and endowments from Youngsville High School Alumni, Youngsville area businesses and families. Proceeds from the annual YHS Alumni Golf Tournament, which will be held May 10 at Jackson Valley Country Club, also contribute several thousand dollars yearly. Since its inception in 1985, the YHS Alumni Scholarship Fund has awarded over $270,000 to 233 graduating seniors from Youngsville High School.

The first award given in 1986 was for $750. Because of the support of the community, former students and friends, the awards have increased steadily, with nine students awarded a $2,500 scholarship at Youngsville’s 2024 graduation.

Transitions are difficult. And we have no doubt that the transition of Youngsville and Sheffield students to Warren Area High School will be a difficult one. Keeping some old traditions alive – like the Youngsville High School Alumni Scholarships and the fundraising activities that go along with it – are one way to perpetuate the sense of community that Youngsville High School has created.