2013 Emmie Mygatt Memorial Scholarships Applications Now Closed....
Deadline was April 30, 2013
by Midge Farmer and Shelly Ritthaler
Scholarships from the Memorial Scholarship Fund are awarded each year to provide Wyoming Writers, Inc., conference tuition and one year's WW, Inc., membership dues to writers with financial needs.
The Memorial Scholarship Fund doesn’t get much publicity, but it is very important to our organization. Donations to the Fund can be made at any time by anyone. Most, but not all, donations are memorials. The principal of the Fund is never touched, thus the Fund keeps giving and giving, much as the woman whose name it bears did during the course of her life.
The Fund was started in 1977 with a donation of $500 from Emmie Mygatt, a published author who moved to Big Horn from the east coast in the late ‘60s. She taught a creative writing class at Sheridan College that was so popular the members continued meeting after the class ended. Emmie was leader of and advisor to this group which evolved into the Sheridan Range Writers. She envisioned a state writers' organization and encouraged her group to start one, which they did in June 1974—Wyoming Writers, Inc.
Emmie was a kind, caring, lovely lady who believed writers could live anywhere. She helped others believe it as well, helped writers to learn their craft, and encouraged us all to help each other. When she knew she was dying in 1977, Emmie gave the gift of $500 to be “joyously spent for an unusual opportunity approved by all.” With great foresight, and with Emmie’s blessing, the Board created the Emmie Mygatt Memorial Scholarship Fund. For clarity, the name was shortened in June 1994.
Each year the number and dollar amount of the scholarships change depending on donations received and interest rates realized. Over 60 scholarships have been awarded in the years since 1978. These scholarships have helped writers throughout Wyoming.
Although WW, Inc., members receive first preference, non-members may also apply for a scholarship. If you or someone you know needs help attending the conference, please encourage them to apply. Letters of application may be sent to Scholarship Chair Aaron Holst at 1508 Hillpond Drive, Sheridan, WY 82801, or emailed to
scholarship@wyowriters.org. If you email your letter, please note WW, Inc., conference scholarship in the subject line. Postmark deadline for 2012 conference scholarship applications is April 30, 2013.