Capital High student earns memorial scholarship

Helena, Mont. — A Capital High School senior in Helena is receiving the Class of 1981 Memorial Endowment Scholarship that's worth $4,000.

Several people gathered inside the Capital High School library to celebrate Danica Taylor, this year’s scholarship recipient.

This award recognizes achievement through perseverance, courage, dependability, leadership and resourcefulness. Organizers explained the criteria were broad so the scholarship could support students seen as "Hidden gems."

Taylor said receiving the scholarship felt unreal.

"I was just shocked. I was like in utter joy. I think shed maybe a tear or two, but I was so happy that my story made that much of a difference," Taylor said.

The scholarship was open to Capital High School and Project for Alternative Learning students in Helena who were graduating this year. Taylor stood out from nine other applicants after sharing personal challenges and how she worked through them.

"I realized that high school is temporary and it doesn't have to be my main focus point because this isn’t the end for me and I have so much pass this," Taylor said.

The scholarship began in 2021 when members of Capital High’s Class of 1981 chose to honor classmates who passed away while also helping future graduates.

"We wanted to have a way to pay it forward to graduating seniors from Capital High in the memory of our classmates that have passed away," said scholarship organizer KC Hill.

After graduation, Taylor plans to attend Montana State University to study equine sciences.