Errol and Eaden Ross Scholarship:  Born around the turn of the century, they came to Silverton in the 1930’s.  They owned and operated the Shell Oil and service station business in Silverton from the 1930’s until the 1980’s.    Their service station was located on the corner of First and Oak Streets in downtown Silverton (present location of Silverton Realty and the SHSAA office).  Errol was a thrifty businessman and was involved in the development of the Eureka Acres subdivision on West Hill where a street bears his name today.   The Rosses had a dream that someday there would be a scholarship fund large enough to send every graduate of Silverton High School to college.  In 1992 at the time of Errol’s death,  Eaden donated $250,000 to establish the Errol W. and Eaden Ross Graduate Assistance Fund which annual scholarships may be awarded to graduates of SHS.  She donated an additional $240,000 from her estate upon her death in 1994.  The fund was merged with the Alumni Association in 2009 and remains today our most significant source of scholarship awards.

Dr. P.A. Loar Trust:  Dr. Loar was a prominent doctor in Silverton from 1911 until retiring in 1949.  During that time, Dr. Loar became instrumental in establishing the Silverton Hospital. He served as president of the Marion-Polk Medical Society and was a member of state and national medical associations. Active in civic affairs, Dr. Loar was a long-time member of the Silverton Planning Commission and president of the Cascade Highway Association. He also helped lead a movement to establish Silver Falls State Park. Loar played a key role in building the community swimming pool, the water filtration plant, and the city’s sewage system.  This fund was originally a loan fund set up through the Trust Department at First National Bank of Oregon for Silverton High School graduates.  Recipients were required to repay the loan upon graduation from college.  In the early 90’s the fund was converted to a scholarship grant program and was administered by Wells Fargo Bank until they terminated the Trust in 2021 and transferred the proceeds to SHSAA.

Clarence (Class of 1947) and Norma Medack Scholarship:  The Medack family managed their family farm in the Silverton Area for several decades.  The Medack Estate made a significant donation to our scholarship fund in 2009 with the provision that a scholarship be awarded to a graduate who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Agriculture.

Craig and Gladys Clark Scholarship:  During the 1950’s through the 1980’s the Clark family owned and managed several downtown Silverton businesses to include the Coast to Coast hardware store and HomeSeeker’s Realty.  The Clark estate made a significant donation to our association in 2009 with the provision that a scholarship be awarded to a graduate who is pursuing undergraduate studies in a community college.

Bill Dibala Scholarship:  Bill’s family made a significant donation to honor him following his death in the spring of 2013.  Bill was born with Downs Syndrome and lived 70 long years enjoying his work, the outdoors, people and his God.  This scholarship is to be awarded annually to an SHS alumnus pursing a degree that could lead to helping individuals with special needs.

Douglas Strom (Class of 1960) Memorial Scholarship: Doug graduated from Linfield College with a degree in Business with an emphasis on advertising.  When it became apparent that a position in his chosen profession was not readily available, he started working in retail as a Taco Bell franchisee and through his diligence and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, he became a multi-unit franchisee and was one of the first 100 franchisees of the Taco Bell chain. His scholarship is awarded annually to an alumnus of Silverton High who appears to share Doug’s determination and entrepreneurial spirit.

Glen Damewood-Wooden Nickel Scholarship:  For decades Glen and his family have owned and managed the Wooden Nickel and Wooden Nickel Catering Service.  Every year he makes a very significant contribution to our Alumni Scholarship Fundraiser event.  In recognition of his continuing generosity, it is indeed a pleasure to award this scholarship.

Philip Clites Scholarship:  A scholarship was created by his former students after raising money from their classmates several years ago.   Following his graduation from Red Oak HS in Red Oak, Iowa in 1943, Philip Clites obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He taught math, geometry, physics and chemistry at SHS from 1947 to 1957. Following his initial service to SHS, he was a research Mechanical Engineer for the US Bureau of Mines in Albany until retirement in 1984. He also served his country with distinction retiring as a Commander in the Naval Reserve in 1986.

After he retired, he continued to provide a valuable service to SHS through his exceptional volunteer math tutoring. Mr. Clites continues to be connected to his former students by attending class reunions and luncheons for several classes that he taught. Mr. Clites was honored by SHSAA in 2002 with an honorary diploma from SHS for his commitment to the students of Silverton.

University of Oregon

Emily received our very first scholarship awarded in 1996 in the amount of $100. She recently reached out to us with a $500 scholarship donation as well as a matching $500 donation from her employer, Thomson Reuters.  She is hoping to inspire other recipients to give back as she has.  

Pacific Lutheran University

“I just wanted to thank you for your generosity and support as I take the next step at Pacific Lutheran University.  Your scholarship will help me tons with this first year of college that is fast approaching.  I just registered for my first semester of classes last weekend!  I am excited to see what my future holds.  Hopefully I will be able to give back and help others like you have done for so many students like me.  Thank you again for your generosity, it means more than you know.

Attending Portland State University- Science and Spanish

“Last year I received the Errol and Eaden Ross Scholarship.  I was so humbled and honored to have received this award.  It has helped me tremendously this year and has made my transition into my first year in college much smoother.  The passion to build my craft in medicine grows each day and it is possible because of the generous, hardworking people such as yourself granting such an amazing scholarship. Thank you again for aiding me in my education and aspirations.”

Attending Oregon State University – Math Education

“This award helped me pay for all of my textbook costs for one year of college. This helped tremendously, as I am paying for all college expenses out of my own pocket. Just knowing that I had these funds set aside to help out with books relieved a lot of my worries about affording all of the items that come along with college. I am very thankful for the Silverton High School Alumni Association Scholarship.”