Though they could not go to college themselves, Walter and Pauline Bentz believed in the power of hard work and education (and sometimes Pauline in the power of a swat with the fly swatter). They passed those beliefs through to their family, whose members have earned fifteen higher education degrees – with at least one more in progress – so far.
Walter and Pauline also wanted to help others – who were willing to work hard – become educated. It is the desire of their children, Mike Bentz and Beth Chaddon, that the scholarship be awarded to someone who will pay their parents belief forward, who will work hard and learn for all their life, thus commemorating their lives.
The Walter and Pauline Bentz Memorial Scholarship was established by their children as a legacy to their parents. The endowment will provide annual scholarships to students graduating from Franklin County High School in Brookville, Indiana. Students must excel in English and have a passion for learning to be selected for this scholarship.