Forty-two Idiots Club scholarships helped high school students from Camdenton, Macks Creek and School of the Osage earn 188 college credits during the 2017-18 school year school year.
The Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club, a 501©3 charity, provided dual credit scholarships to children living below the federal poverty line, allowing students to receive both high school and college credit upon successful completion of a course.
Judy Powell, Idiots Club Volunteer and Kristy Eidson, Macks Creek High School Counselor.
“The goal of the scholarships is two-fold. First, having the opportunity to attempt college level classes while in high school lets the child know they can, in fact, do college level work. Second, the scholarships give these children a head start on college with 12, 16 or more credits under their belts coming out of high school. This gives them a real head start on college; in which they are much more likely to enroll,” said Idiots Club co-founder, Denny Hiner.
JD Hunter, Dean, Camdenton High School, left; Denny Hiner, Idiots Club Founder, center; and Jody Welsh, Coordinator.
The Idiots Club was founded by Danna and Denny Hiner who each spent many years in the education field. They believe the path out of poverty is laid by the education and training a student gets after high school.
“Children must receive free/reduced lunch at school to qualify for a scholarship. They contact their counselor during enrollment in a dual credit class. If tuition assistance is needed, the counselor submits a request for a scholarship,” Danna added.
Sherry Dye, Idiots Club Volunteer and Tiffany Ash, School of the Osage High School Counselor
More than $15,000.00 was awarded to students last year, coming from various donors to the Idiots Club: Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority - $5000.00, Missouri Scholarship & Loan Association -$5000.00, Albers-Kuhn Family Foundation - $2115.50; Community Foundation of the Lake - $2000.00, The Lake ReMax Foundation - $500.00.
Jackie Jenkins, Director, Lake Career and Technical Center, center; and Rich and Linda Pieper Idiots Club Volunteers
Also, the Jesters of Goodwill provide clothes, sports gear, personal care needs and food for children living in poverty. The Jesters of Goodwill DO NOT work directly with parents or children. They only take requests from school and social agency personnel or community youth organization leaders and coaches.
To learn more about this charity, find their webpage: LakeOfTheOzarksIdiotsClub.org and like their Facebook page.
