This month, as we celebrate Scholarship Month at Mission of Hope, we are thrilled to announce the selection of 13 new high school seniors who will receive the Mission of Hope Scholarship for the upcoming academic year. Each of these students comes from one of the rural Appalachian high schools we serve, and they were chosen through a thoughtful application and review process led by our Scholarship Committee.

These new scholars will join the growing Mission of Hope family — and for many, this opportunity is life-changing. In fact, many of our scholarship recipients are the first in their family to attend college or technical school. We’re honored to walk alongside them, providing financial assistance, encouragement, and mentorship as they pursue their dreams.

This year’s selection is especially meaningful as we celebrate a major milestone: the awarding of our first-ever Trade Scholarship.

Launched in 2025, the Mission of Hope Trade Scholarship is specifically designed for students who are passionate about pursuing a career in a skilled trade. From HVAC and welding to truck driving, computer technology, plumbing, and more, these career paths offer tremendous opportunity — and we want to ensure our students have the resources to take full advantage.

Our Trade Scholarship recipient will attend an accredited vocational/technical program with financial support and guidance from Mission of Hope, just like our traditional scholars. It’s a powerful new chapter in our commitment to helping students break the cycle of poverty and step confidently into a brighter future.

Over the past month, Mission of Hope team members and volunteers have traveled to the schools of each new scholar to present their scholarships in person. These moments are always some of the most joyful of the year, as we get to celebrate each student’s hard work and potential with their friends, families, and school communities.

As we continue this exciting season, we ask for your continued prayers for these students — for courage, wisdom, strength, and hope as they prepare for the road ahead. We also invite you to walk alongside them in other ways:

• Make a financial gift to support our growing Scholarship Program.
• Become a Mission of Hope Mentor and offer encouragement and guidance to a scholar.
• Help spread the word about the work Mission of Hope is doing in the lives of students across Appalachia.

This is what Mission of Hope is all about — stepping in, lifting up, and sharing God’s love through practical help and long-term investment. Our scholars are a beautiful reflection of what hope can do.

Follow us on our website blog and social media pages to see stories, photos, and videos celebrating our new and returning scholars.

Together, we’re building brighter futures — one student at a time.