Scholarships

The family of Vinnette Walsh Sothman offers one scholarship for Grand Island Senior High students who will pursue a degree in the field of Business Management.

Vinnette Walsh Sothman was a family devotee and a brilliant businesswoman. After graduating from Grand Island High School in 1916, she worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. She then became the secretary to the Chief Operating Officer of Nebraska Consolidated Mills, which is now known as ConAgra Brands.

She and her husband, Paul, formed the Sothman Lumber and Millwork Company in 1936. Together they put everything they had into that company. Both were committed to each other and their work.

Vinnette would move mountains for her children and their friends. She had a skill for writing and was a very good typist. Vinnette used those skills to help her children and area youth. She started the PTA at St Mary’s School, which is now Central Catholic School.

She was born in Humboldt, Nebraska and moved to Grand Island during the depression. Vinnette was married in 1932, then had two girls. She passed away in 1962 at the age of 63.

Amount and Terms

• $2,000 x 1 year

Number of Scholarships

• 1

Eligibility

• Must be a graduate of Grand Island Senior High
• Must attend an accredited Nebraska college, university or community college
• Must major or minor in Business
• Preference will be given to students that demonstrate a passion for business management
• Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher

To Apply

• Complete the online application form at www.gipsfoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships 

Deadline

• See scholarship application deadlines at www.gipsfoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships

Selection Procedure

• Applications will be reviewed by a scholarship selection committee appointed by the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.

Terms of Payment

• The scholarship will be paid through the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation to appropriate educational institution per scholarship eligibility defined above. Scholarships larger than $500 will be split into equal semester payments.

Claim Scholarship

• The student must provide proof of enrollment (class schedule) and student ID number to the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation for scholarship distribution. Proof of enrollment is needed for each semester covered by scholarship terms. Send proof of enrollment to Kari Price via email to kprice@gips.org, in person at GIPS Administration Building (123 South Webb Road) or via mail to PO Box 4904, Grand Island, NE 68802.