Mr. Price was a graduate of Wabash High School and earned teaching degrees from Ball State University. He served in the Army in World War II and the Korean War. After the military, Mr. Price taught at several schools, eventually returning to Wabash City Schools and finally MSD of Wabash County. When he retired in 1985, Mr. Price continued to work to better his community through service on boards and through his faith. Through the creation of this scholarship, his family wishes to exemplify Mr. Price’s dedication to service and passion for education.
The George W. Price Scholarship Fund will support the reading portion of the Community Foundation Promise Early Award Scholarship program for the fourth grade class at OJ Neighbours Elementary School. The Early Award Scholarship program awards participating students in grades four through eight with scholarships for hard work at school, college and career preparation activates, and regular savings. Students can earn as much as $200 each year to be used for future college or career training and education expenses.
Participating fourth grade OJ Neighbours students who complete all reading assignments in Quarters 1 and 2 with scores of 70% or better can earn $10 each quarter. Additionally, students can earn $20 in each Quarters 3 and 4 by completing all reading assignments with scores of 70% or better and meeting their STAR goal for the year. Fourth grade students have the potential to earn up to $60 in the reading portion of the program. Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, the Price Scholarship will nurture and encourage life-long learning skills by funding the reading scholarships earned by fourth grade Early Award students at OJ Neighbours.
The Community Foundation commends the Price family for investing in education. By focusing this scholarship on fourth grade students, they have chosen to support the innovative early award scholarship model. Research indicates that students with college and career savings accounts are three times more likely to pursue education after high school. Having these accounts influences how children think about their future and positively encourages learning behaviors and expectations. Additionally, scholarships and savings awarded and invested early reduce financial barriers to pursuing education after high school.
Cindi Price reflects on her late husband’s passion for education and helping young people. “He saw potential in students and worked to create opportunities for them,” said Cindi. “He never had selfish motives; everything he did was all about his students.” Creating this scholarship will allow Mr. Price’s legacy to live on by helping students develop aspirations for life-long learning and creating opportunities for students for years to come.
Community members wishing to contribute to the George W. Price Scholarship Fund in memory of Mr. Price may make tax-deductible contributions to the Community Foundation