Pendelton Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was proposed by William Pendleton, owner of the Friendship Sloop Blackjack, in 1967. He was a life-long educator from Searsport, who thought that a scholarship fund for the young people of Friendship would serve as a "Thank You" to all the people of the town for the services provided the members of the society during the regattas while they were being held in Friendship.
In November of 1983 the Friendship Sloop Society turned the fund into a trust, with townspeople being named as trustees. The income of the trust is to be used for the "residents of the Town of Friendship, Maine, in the form of a scholarship for those who are seeking to further their post high school education." The current Trustees are Bill Zuber, owner of Gladiator, Chairman; David Bell, Treasurer, Faye Bragan, Betty Roberts, Caroline Zuber, Secretary, Constance Pratt, Sue Campagna, Viola Davis, Noel March, and John Rand, current commodore of the Sloop Society.
As of December, 2003 over 125 young people have been helped with their post-secondary educational costs, and close to $100,000 has been distributed.
The Memorial scholarship Fund balance at the end of 2003 totaled $72,020.72. Each year the Friendship Sloop Society votes a donation of $500 at the Annual Meeting, and an auction is held for the members present which is added to the fund. Many members of the Society make annual donations to the Scholarship Fund, as well as memorial donations.
Over the years many people have donated time, energy, and money to help the fund grow to meet the increasing cost of an education. Help has come from many quarters: the sale of John Gould's peanuts, donations from town folks, memorial donations, and the annual donation from the Sloop Society. The trustees of the Pendleton Memorial Scholarship Fund would like to thank you all for your continuing generous support. Support from the people of Friendship builds upon the foundation formed by the Sloop Society over 30 years ago.
Applications for scholarships may be obtained at the Guidance Office at Medomak Valley High School or from Caroline Zuber in Friendship. Applications must be completed before June 1.