Six local students have been selected to receive $1,000 scholarships from the Four Corners Board of Realtors Dean Hanson Memorial Scholarship fund. Scholarship recipients are Devynn Nutt, Montezuma-Cortez High School; Victoria Stanley, M-CHS; Arlina OCamb, M-CHS; Kenneth Philpott, Mancos High School; Fallon Kelley, Dolores High School; and Deanna Tobin, enrolled at Pueblo Community College.
The Four Corners Board of Realtors sponsors the Dean Hanson Memorial Golf Tournament every year on the first weekend after Labor Day in September. It started out as a tournament in memory of Dean Hanson, a Realtor and involved community leader. Dean Hanson was a Little League coach and was instrumental in getting the Elks Lodge built.
The Dean Hanson Memorial Golf Tournament started in 1988. Originally it was set up for golfers over 60 years of age and about 45 players turned out to play. Family and friends of Dean Hanson contributed financially to help get the tournament started. At that time the funds were placed in a scholarship fund in honor of Dean. One scholarship was given annually.
In 1994 the tournament was restructured for five member teams and at least one person on the team had to be a woman. More than 150 players turned out to play. Today there are approximately 175 players enjoying the tournament.
Area businesses donate and sponsor the golf holes, thus making more money for more scholarships. The tremendous responses from the community in sponsoring holes and the players who enjoy the great game of golf have made a huge impact on the students seeking higher education in our community, said Carol Click, scholarship committee chair, in a written release from Four Corners Board of Realtors.
The scholarships have grown from two in the beginning in the amount of $250 each. There are six scholarships this year in the amount of $1,000 each.