It’s sometimes difficult to get young people to devote their energies during the high school years to pursuits that will benefit them in the future. An innovative national program has been made available to Fort Dodge Senior High students that provides incentives to motivate them to use their student days productively.

This undertaking makes it possible for high-schoolers to earn microscholarships, which are awarded to them through the fundraising website raise.me.

Students can receive scholarship funds for a grade B or above in math courses, by taking four years of foreign language, participating in extracurricular activities or perfect attendance.

“All things that are great things for kids to be doing anyway, now they can get paid for it,” Trista Thompson, a FDSH counselor, told The Messenger last month.

Backing for this commendable initiative comes from Facebook, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other organizations committed to enhancing the educational experience.

The University of Iowa is one of the scholarship program’s participants. One high school in each of Iowa’s 99 counties was chosen by the university to benefit from the project. FDSH was selected in Webster County. Students can earn up to $1,200 for their high school achievements. If they later choose to attend UI, the scholarship will help pay the cost of doing so.

More than 150 colleges and universities have elected to participate in this effort including in our region Buena Vista University, Drake University, Dordt Christian College and Creighton University.

The Messenger applauds this effort. We encourage Fort Dodge students to take advantage of this helpful way to make getting a college education more affordable.