NORTH SALMON CREEK — In the fall of 2020, a group of area residents came together to form a scholarship program that would raise funds and provide scholarships for graduating Skyview seniors as they pursued a college education. The impetus to create the program came from Tom May after he viewed the help and support his daughter, Payton May, experienced as a transfer student at Skyview.
The Mays, along with a number of their close friends, decided to give back to the school by starting a scholarship fund for Storm seniors. With support from Skyview Principal Andy Meyer, the program began as a committee of the Skyview Boosters. In their first three years, they’ve provided more than $45,000 in scholarship dollars.
From the beginning, the May family had a lot of help. Original committee members Diane Berg, Rick and Jennifer Taylor, Mike Ripley, and Rik Shiiki contributed their time, energy and money. In 2023, the program added three new members, Paul Scarpelli, Sheri Backous and Lukas Bardue. Secondly, encouraged by their initial success, the group recently formed its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called the Storm Nation Foundation.
To kick off its new name and nonprofit status, the Storm Nation Foundation announced it will provide $25,000 in scholarships to the 2024 class, with awards worth $5,000 each given to the outstanding student in the Arts, Leadership, Overall Achievement, Academic Achievement and Excellence in STEM classes.
