Each year, the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce awards $4,500 to local students. Three scholarship opportunities are now open for Mount Joy students, students of Chamber members or members who are continuing their education. Chamber members and their students may live outside of Mount Joy.

Two of the scholarships are for $1,000 - one for a graduating high school student and one for a continuing education student. Additionally, the Chamber will award a $500 scholarship in memory of Dorothy Metzler and her support of nonprofits in the Mount Joy community.

"We ask that each applicant submit an essay, no more than 200 words, that describes your life experiences that have helped shape your goals and career path," explained Galen Dise, scholarships chair. "This essay is a significant portion of the decision-making process." Candidates also must submit two letters of recommendation and copies of high school or college transcripts.

For the Dorothy Metzler scholarship, there is a focus on the student's volunteer time in the community, and the scholarship is open to anyone of any age who is attending college. "Dorothy 'Dottie' Metzler was an individual Chamber member who loved giving support to her community," said Kerry Meyers, Chamber executive assistant.

Applications for the three scholarships may be found at http://www.mountjoychamber.com; in the Chamber office at 62 E. Main St., Mount Joy; or in the Donegal High School guidance department. Applications and supplemental materials are due back to the Chamber office by Friday, May 5.

Along with the aforementioned scholarships, the Chamber awards two $500 scholarships - the Joseph Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship and the Business Education Scholarship - to graduating seniors at Donegal High School as well as $500 scholarships to two students at The Janus School.

The 2022 Dorothy Metzler Memorial Community Service $500 Scholarship was awarded to Meg Zell, who is now attending Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. The 2022 $1,000 College/Post-Secondary Scholarship was awarded to Amanda Lutchman, who is attending The King's College, and the High School Graduate Continuing Education $1,000 Scholarship was awarded to Morgan Mullhausen, who is attending the University of Pittsburgh.

Recipients of the 2022 Janus School scholarships were Jake Brehm and David Nau, and winners of the 2022 Donegal High School scholarships were Katherine Cook and Diavionne Musser.

The Chamber scholarships are part of the organization's mission to support its community, said Ashley Zell, Chamber executive director. "It is our privilege to be able to serve our community in this way and our hope that in the future these young men and women will participate in their community's achievement and growth," she stated.

The Chamber scholarship committee consists of Dise, Cristina Paden, Denise Snyder-Patch, Rose Madar and Joseph McIlhenney. For more information on joining the Chamber, visit the office or fill out a form at the Chamber's website. For more details about the scholarships, call the Chamber office at 717-653-0773 or email ashley@mountjoychamber.com or kerry@mountjoychamber.com.