courtesy Suzanne Pierce
CUCHARA — In the beautiful Cuchara Valley sits a small log chapel built in the summer of 1949 in large part by the generosity of John and Rae Albright. Thousands have attended services in the Cuchara Chapel over the 74 years since its doors were first opened. The major benevolence of the Cuchara Chapel is providing scholarships for graduating seniors of Huerfano County high schools. In recent years, the scholarship program has extended continuing scholarships to students who have completed their freshman, sophomore, and junior years of college. Cuchara Chapel scholarships are funded through the generosity of those who worship at the chapel during the summer, memorial gifts designated for scholarships, and contributions.
The Cuchara Scholarship Program was organized on July 18, 1966, at the suggestion of George W. Marquardt. The first scholarship, in the amount of $500, was given in 1967. The Scholarship Program has continued to grow over the 56 years of its existence, awarding scores of scholarships to Huerfano County students to help them further their education. During the last 6 years, $137,500 has been awarded to John Mall High School and La Veta High School students.
High School seniors attending a Huerfano County high school, including GOAL Academy, who are planning to attend a technical school, trade school, 2-year community college or a 4-year college or university are encouraged to apply for a Cuchara Chapel Scholarship. The application opens on March 1 each year and can be found on the website, cucharachapel.org , under the Scholarship Program tab. This scholarship will total $7,500 if a student applies for and completes four years of college.
This year a total of 13 scholarships were awarded. Eight scholarships, in the amount of $1,500.00 each, were awarded to students in the Class of 2023 at La Veta and John Mall High Schools. Five $2000 continuing scholarships were also awarded to students in their second, third and fourth years of college. Our grand total of giving to Huerfano County students this year was $22,000. The following students received Cuchara Chapel Scholarships in this, our 56th year of giving:
1st Year Scholarships ($1500 each):
• Joe Autry – Lamar Community College
• Willow Clark – Fort Lewis College
• Sophia Lague – Otero College
• Race Lesssar – Western Colorado University
• Tami Morgan – University of Hawaii at Hilo
• Madison Nix – Colorado Mesa University
• Tallie Noordik – Fort Lewis College
• Destiny Akin-Valdez – Lamar Community College
2nd Year Scholarships ($2000 each):
• Aaliya Malden-Reynolds – Mesa Community College
• Mikah Nix – Central Arizona College
3rd Year Scholarship ($2000):
• Carson Miller – Texas Tech University
• Matthew White – University of Colorado, Boulder
4th Year Scholarships ($2000):
• Nya Sciacca – Fort Lewis College
To all of you who have contributed to this incredible program, thank you! If you would like to make a donation to the Cuchara Chapel Scholarship Program, checks can be mailed to PO Box 796, La Veta, CO, 81055.
