The Educational Opportunity Foundation of the Black Forest held their annual awards banquet April 17 at La Foret Conference & Retreat Center in Black Forest; 12 local seniors each received $1,500 for their academic pursuits.Black Forest resident Laura Lollar was the guest speaker. She has been coaching and mentoring more than 20 years for people seeking guidance on careers, leadership, interpersonal communication and business. Loller discussed education and training, and told the students, ìGive yourself permission to start over. ëItís never too late to be who you might have been,í as George Eliot said. And do your best; do something that matters.îNancy Billiard, secretary of the EOF, said any graduating senior living in Black Forest is eligible to apply for the scholarship. To qualify, the student can be from a public, private, parochial or home-school with plans to attend a four-year or community college or a vocational or trade school.In 1965, Rev. Nick Natelli, pastor of Black Forest Community Church and Edith Wolford, who was a long-time forester and educator (Edith Wolford Elementary School is named after her) started the EOF. The goal has always been to assist high school students living in the Black Forest area with their education costs. Billiard said they are grateful to Ent Federal Credit Union and La Foret for their sponsorship of the banquet and to all of those who donated to the scholarship fund.ìWe think the banquet is a lovely way to honor our recipients. Ö†Our motto has always been, the best investment a community can make, is in its young people,î Billiard said.About 65 people attended the banquet. Billiard said they normally have about 90 to 100 people, but many could not attend because of the change in date, prompted by the weather.
