ST. GEORGE – Representatives of the Washington County Republican Women Organization visited the Dixie State College of Utah campus Monday to donate scholarship funds to benefit and honor spouses of the servicemen and women of the Utah National Guard’s 222nd Field Artillery Unit. WCRW president Carol Aldred and WCRW member Wilma Courtney presented a check for $1,000 to DSC President Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld in a brief morning ceremony.

The scholarship, which is part of the “Caring for America” outreach program, was established at Dixie State in 2007 to honor of veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts, with priority shown to 222nd veterans and their families.

The monies will provide financial assistance with college expenses, including tuition, books and college fees to spouses of veterans or active servicemen and women of the 222nd who meet specific academic qualifications and demonstrate financial need. The Dixie State College financial aid office will determine the financial need. DSC will then inform the organization when and to whom the scholarship is awarded.

“This is a wonderful way to honor the spouses of our local National Guard soldiers,” President Nadauld said. “These spouses bear a heavy burden while their loved ones are away and we are very grateful for [WCRW] financial assistance to help provide these people an opportunity to get into school.”

Part of the WCRW charter is supporting the military through the “Caring for America” program, where members engage in charity work, community work and support of the military and their families. The WCRW scholarship was created to honor the 222nd for the service the unit provided in both conflicts. Monies generated for the scholarship come from the annual WCRW Freedom Run, held each spring in St. George, along with other WCRW fundraising efforts.

To qualify for the scholarship, the potential recipient must be a registered Republican, live in Washington County, married to a veteran of either the second Iraq War or the conflict in Afghanistan, and must have a 3.00 or higher academic grade point average or better.

If not enough students at Dixie State College fill these criteria before the end of the calendar year, then DSC will contact the Washington County Republican Women for a decision on how to disburse any remaining funds.

For more information about the scholarship or to apply, please contact Sue Perschon in the DSC Financial Aid office at 435-652-7578.