News and Announcements

2010 “JESSE’S PADDLE” RAISES $11,000

News added: 2010-07-23
For the dozens of canoes and kayaks paddling furiously away from the dock in Snow Hill on July 17th, the immediate goal was to find one of many numbered fishing bobbers strung from trees on the bank of the Pocomoke River. Each bobber meant prizes, from commemorative canoe paddles to coupons for dinners at Snow Hill eateries to coupons for free ice cream cones.

But it was not the prizes that drew the many participants. It was the cause.

“I am honored to be a small part of this effort,” said paddler and Board member Creig Twilley. “Jesse would be proud to know that something positive is being done in his memory. He was all about helping others, so this is a way to keep his giving spirit alive in the community.”

The Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship was created in 2009, following the early and tragic death of the Snow Hill High School senior. Graduates of Snow Hill High School are eligible. Nominations are made by adult members of the community, without the knowledge of the student.

“Candidates for our scholarship must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average,” said Fund President Kim Klump. “But more important, they must have demonstrated, by their character and their community and extracurricular activities and through their personal friendships, that they will use their educations to make the world a better place.”

Jesse’s Paddle raised over $11,000. Local companies made generous in-kind contributions and Johnson Outdoors, makers of Old Town canoes and kayaks, donated a kayak which was raffled. “The success of the 2nd annual Jesse’s Paddle will enable us to increase the amount of the scholarship in 2011,” said Board member Ron Pilling. “We will announce the 2011 scholarship in coming months and are looking forward to reviewing the nominations we receive next spring.”

Salisbury, Maryland resident Steve Blum was the lucky winner of the Old Town kayak. "This is great," he said. "I'm an outdoors guy and this is something I've always wanted to do."

There are photos of the event at the Photo Gallery tab.

A GREAT FAMILY CANOE FOR A GREAT CAUSE

News added: 2010-06-20
Thanks to the generosity of the Dave and Pat Chason family of Baltimore, a 17' Coleman canoe was donated to our scholarship fund. It has had some repairs, some paint, and is ready for the water. The $350 price includes a pair of paddles, a pair of life vests and a cartop carrier kit. Go to the photo gallery to see the boat, and call 443-982-2716 if you're interested. Wew can have it ready to pick up in Snow Hill. This is a great starter boat, ideal for flatwater and fun. Every penny goes to the fund.

SHANICE BACON CHOSEN AS THE 2010 JESSE KLUMP MEMORIAL SCHOLAR

News added: 2010-06-07
Shanice Bacon, a graduate of Snow Hill High School, has been chosen as the 2010 Jesse Klump Memorial Scholar. The Board of Directors of the scholarship fund was proud to grant Shanice $2,500 to be used to further her education in the career of social work.

Shanice was nominated by the School Nurse, Patricia King. Eligible nominees must have posted a minimum 3.0 grade point average and must have demonstrated a willingness to put others ahead of themselves. “Our young scholars will have, through their character and their activities, shown that they have dedicated themselves to making the world a better place,” said Kim Klump, President of the scholarship fund.

Of her nominee, King said “I am very proud of Shanice and her attitude toward life in general. She has maintained a 3.6 average…and was a peer mentor in a program called ‘Just for Girls.’”

"What sets Shanice apart," said Klump, "is the courage to accomplish all that she has while daily battling an incapacitating disease." Shanice is awaiting a kidney transplant and undergoes daily dialysis. “Dialysis saps your strength and leaves you very tired all of the time,” King said. “Shanice has gone through a very rough time and has shown tremendous strength of character.”

The Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to commemorate the life and character of a Snow Hill student who died just short of graduation. In 2011 nominations will be open to graduates of any Worcester County public high school who plan to continue their educations at any formal institution. Funds are raised primarily at an annual canoeing and kayaking event on the Pocomoke River, “Jesse’s Paddle,” scheduled for July 17 this year. Learn more about the Paddle in the announcement below.

A photo of a smiling Shanice is in the Photo Gallery.

HOW TO NOMINATE A 2011 GRADUATE

News added: 2009-12-04
The Board of Directors of the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship Fund welcomes nominations for deserving students from Snow Hill High School in the graduating class of 2011. A young man or woman who wishes to pursue further formal education will receive a yet-to-be decided amount upon graduation. In 2010 the scholarship was $2,500.

The scholarship was created to memorialize the achievements of Jesse Klump, a Snow Hill student who excelled in the classroom and on the playing field, but more important, who before his untimely death in 2009 demonstrated a willingness to put others before himself. It is that character trait that as much as academics will determine the scholarship recipient in 2011 and beyond.

Here are the basic criteria: To be eligible, a scholar must be in the 2011 graduating class of Snow Hill High School. He or she must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and must have plans for post-high school education at a formal, legitimate institution. It need not be a four-year college or a community college. Technical or vocational school enrollment is acceptable, the understanding being that the student is best equipped than anyone to determine what he or she wishes to study.

Those are the easy criteria to demonstrate, and perhaps the less important. We want to give financial aid to young people who have shown in their lives and their actions that they sincerely wish to apply their skills to make the world a better place. This trait is demonstrable, for example, through voluntary work as a student mentor or tutor. Activities that give back to the community - Habitat for Humanity, the Appalachian Service Project, visiting a nursing home regularly, teaching Sunday School, volunteering for Meals on Wheels - are a clear sign of the scholar’s character. Equally important are more private moments, time spent helping another student over a rough patch, comforting a friend after a loss of some kind, simply being available when his or her friends are in need.

These are harder to document, but of the utmost importance to the selection process. We’re looking for short written stories about the student, anecdotal testimony of his or her superior character. They can be submitted informally.

If you know a member of the Snow Hill High 2011 class of whom you are reminded by our criteria, we hope you will make the nomination.You can find the Scholarship NOMINATION FORM on the LEFT Navigation Menu of the web site.. You may print out the form, complete it and mail it to:

The Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship Fund
10737 Piney Island Drive
Bishopville, MD 21813

We would like to have nominations in by May 1, 2011. The process is to remain secret, and the recipient will under no circumstances be announced until Graduate Awards Night.