Scottie Booster Club Awards Six Jeff Jurgens Memorial Scholarships

Six Valley County high-school graduates have received Jeff Jurgens Memorial Scholarships to enable their studies at colleges and universities in Montana and North Dakota.

The scholarships are awarded annually by the Scottie Booster Club in memory of the late Jeff Jurgens, Glasgow student and rabid sports fan whose namesake basketball tournament is the source of the funds. The Jeff Jurgens Memorial Tournament, presented by the Scottie Booster Club and widely supported by the community, is held annually in March and attracts dozens of youth basketball teams in grades four through eight from across eastern Montana and as far away as North Dakota and Saskatchewan.

In order to be eligible for the Jeff Jurgens scholarship, students must have graduated, or be graduating this spring, from a Valley County school and either played varsity basketball or are entering a medical or health-related field of study at a college or university in Montana or a neighboring state. This year, the Scottie Booster Club selected six scholarship recipients with a wide range of accomplishments and future plans.

Applicants' sports backgrounds are considered, along with academic achievement, community service, citizenship, and financial need.

The six 2023 JJMT Scholars are:

Kaitlyn Miller – A 2023 graduate of Nashua High School, Miller plans to attend Montana State University-Bozeman in the fall to pursue a degree in health and human performance. Miller played both volleyball and basketball for the Nashua Porcupines and also played in the Jeff Jurgens Tournament for a Nashua team. She's been involved in band, choir, served as president of her class and the National Honor Society chapter, and was president of Lucky Clover 4-H Club.

Riley Smith – Scottie golf and basketball standout Riley Smith plans to attend Montana Technological University to major in mathematical sciences. As a 2023 graduate of Glasgow High School, Smith was involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, G-Club, as well as church youth group. An all-state golfer for the Scotties, Smith plans to focus on statistics in college and pursue an internship with a Major League Baseball team where he hopes to analyze player statistics.

Tia Dees – Nashua's Tia Dees plans to attend Dickinson State University to focus on a degree in business and finance while pursuing her basketball and track careers. Dees played both basketball and volleyball for the Porcupines, and was a standout thrower on the track-and-field team. She participated in National Honor Society, student council, FCCLA, International Travel Club, and Montana Career Association. She also volunteered with Nashua Senior Citizens, Nashua Lions Club, and Glasgow Food Bank.

Mason Donaldson – A 2023 graduate of Glasgow High School, Mason Donaldson plans to pursue degrees in business administration and physical therapy at the University of Montana. A standout football player, Donaldson captained the Scotties his senior year and also wrestled for four years. He's been involved in National Honor Society and volunteered for Glasgow's youth softball program.

Ashton Potter – Four-time letter-winner in basketball and football, Glasgow High School's Ashton Potter plans to attend University of Montana to pursue a degree in physical therapy. Senior captain of the Scottie basketball squad, Potter also played varsity football all four years of high school, and made the All-Star football squad.

Aspen Stulc – Glasgow High School's Aspen Stulc plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman to pursue degrees in business management and entrepreneurship. Stulc played volleyball, softball, and basketball for the Scotties and volunteered for the youth basketball skills program.

The Scottie Booster Club raises funds to assist with the promotion and equipment/uniform needs of extracurricular activities associated with the Glasgow School District. In addition to presenting the Jeff Jurgens Memorial Basketball Tournament, the Boosters conduct 50/50 raffles at football games, coordinate sponsorship signage at various Scotties athletic venues, and host a year-end banquet and recognition ceremony for GHS athletes and coaches.

If you're interested in donating time, funds, or energy to the Boosters, contact club president Mike Pehlke at 263-9899 or club secretary Ruth Ann Hutcheson at 263-8392. Other Scottie Booster Club members include Ryan Fast, Gil Johnson, Andrew McKean, Jace Ball, Bryan Krumweide, and Wade Sundby.