In May, the Black Forest Arts and Craft Guild awarded a college scholarship to Tess Enos of Black Forest. Enos, age 18, is the first home-schooled recipient.ìIt was a surprise,î Enos said. ìIt was an answer to a prayer. I did not know that I was going to win.îApplicants are evaluated on academic competence, community involvement and school activities.Enos has been a debate co-captain, a speech judge and speech captain and has been involved with the speech and debate mentorship program. Her artistic accomplishments include piano, vocal, dance instruction and musical theater.As a volunteer, Enos has been on mission trips with Mountain Springs Church to Uganda, Africa, visiting orphanages and schools. She has also been a co-leader of youth groups and has more than 1,600 hours of community service.As one in a family of eight, Enos said she looks up to her older brothers. One brother went on the mission trip to Africa as well and inspired Enos to go along.ìWe live in the U.S. and take for granted the simple fact that we have running water,î she said. ìIt was a great experience to see how grateful they (African children) are. Simply using mud to create a building for school-aged kids ñ the children showing up to school in rags happy to be there ñ seeing children running in soccer fields without shoes, and happier than others in the U.S. that have so much.îEnos was accepted by Biola University in California and Taylor University in Indiana, but she chose to stay in Colorado. Enos will attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and pursue coursework toward a career as a pediatric nurse and nurse practitioner.ìShe was an obvious winner ñ confident and mature,î said Sally Burr, guild scholarship chairwoman.Ten applicants were considered for the scholarship, which is open to residents in Falcon and Black Forest.ìWe are the largest continuously reoccurring craft guild west of the Mississippi River,î Burr said. ìWe need sponsors. Most of our sponsors give $25. We give back in as many ways as we can.îThe guild is a nonprofit organization in its 48th year, with 100 members. The guild will sell green canvas bags at the Aug. 11 Black Forest Festival, with the proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund.
