The Different Drummer Scholarship is a one-time $1,000 gift intended for two Manitou Springs High School (or home-schooled, or local Manitou resident) seniors each year who have a particular passion, but who don’t necessarily fit into the “typical” scholarship profile.
Manitou Springs Real Estate awards each scholarship to a student who has a dream, goal or passion, and exhibits focus and ambition toward meeting the goal or fulfilling the dream or passion.
“It feels good to acknowledge that all students are valued. Our scholarship is usually given to kids who tend to be more creative, and I feel it’s very important to foster creativity,” company owner Rachel Buller said.
The scholarship can be used for anything that will help the student accomplish this: college or trade school expenses, private tutoring, special lessons, supplies, equipment, tools, etc.
“Sometimes we hear from past recipients and it’s always fun to find out what they used the scholarship for.” Buller said.
No preference will be given based upon gender, religion, race, handicap, family status, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Preference will be given to applicants having fewer financial resources and/or who would not otherwise receive a scholarship.
The company has given out $19,000 worth of scholarships since 2005. It was born out of one agent’s experience with an education system that seemed to overlook those who are talented in nontraditional, non-academic ways.
A portion of MSRE agents’ commissions is set aside specifically for donations.
“It’s exciting because this may be the spark they needed to pursue their dream and it may lead to something awesome,” broker associate Emily Sawyer said.
Applications are due April 28, 2023.
Information and application: the MSRE website or 719-685-0220.