Focusing on a better today to create a better tomorrow for East Central Graduates.
Welcome to the East Central Dollars for Scholars website.
East Central High School graduates are eligible to receive scholarships given by and sponsored through East Central Dollars for Scholars®.
East Central Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Open March 1, 2025
The East Central Dollars for Scholars Chapter is excited to announce their 2025 scholarship will open March 1. All applications will be submitted online using Scholarship America on the "Students & Parents" tab at the top.
Eligibility: Scholarships are available to East Central High school senior applicants who have taken the ACT and earned a minimum of 6 high school credits within East Central, and East Central graduates currently in college carrying a minimum of 12-semester credits. College graduate students are not eligible for the scholarship program.
To complete an application, click the "Students & Parents" tab at the top! Application available from March 1-21, 2025.
East Central Dollars for Scholars Recipient Spotlight
Amanda Ripley
East Central Class of 2017
Bethel University, Bachelor of Arts in Theater & Minor in Business 2021
Current Employment- Contact Center Representative for Mnsure
Amanda Ripley is an East Central 2017 graduate who was a recipient of a Dollars for Scholars scholarship. After graduating from high school she went on to attend Bethel University which is where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater. While pursuing her degree she was a manager at the dining center, teacher's assistant to the artistic director for the department, participated in the women's choir, studied abroad in Cork, Ireland, and interned at Open Window Theater. After graduating from college in 2021, Amanda has worked as an actress in various theaters, a talent manager at Nowhere Haunted House, a box office manager for the MN Fringe, and a customer service representative for MNsure.
When Amanda is not working or acting she is writing. She produced part 1 to her 2 act musical "The Untold Myth of Medusa". Part 1 was produced at the MN Fringe Festival, an annual performing arts festival occurring in various locations around the metro. This year "The Untold Myth of Medusa" debuted at The Southern Theater, it was 50 minutes long to abide by the MN Fringe Rules, 7 cast members, 1 stagehand and had a total of 200 audience members. The show is a musical retelling of an unknown version of the myth of Medusa. The theme of the show is transformation and resilience. The description published for the Fringe was "Medusa, we all know her for her killer looks, but do we know who she was before the curse? Lean in close to hear the truth of this myth unfold. Come see how she fares in a world of unfair fates and unruly gods." Amanda is currently working on the music and script for part 2. The plan as of right now is to produce act 1 and 2 together in 2026.
Amanda's director/playwright note published when part 1 was produced:
Years ago a version of Medusa's story crossed my path through a story my brother was reading. From that day on her story rang in my head like a bell. I did deeper research to try and find more details on other versions of her story. Her story quickly fell to the back burner of my mind and was left to simmer for years. The passion to write was clouded with pursuing education and acting opportunities. Years later I found myself feeling lost and uncertain of who I was. Then the bell began to ring again, the pot was boiling over and I finally put pen to paper. In a sense, Medusa brought me back to who I am. I wrote this version of Medusa's story to bring awareness and start a larger conversation. I hope people who relate to Medusa's story feel seen and heard after watching it. That they feel inspired and safe to share their own stories. You do not have to go through anything in this life alone. Let's rise from the ashes together.
Amanda was a Dollars for Scholars recipient in 2018. "Dollars for Scholars helped me by providing peace of mind. It is difficult to chase a dream when finances take the forefront of your mind, I cannot be creative when I am worried. I was gifted a scholarship freshman year of college which took a great weight off my shoulders and allowed me the freedom to chase this dream. With the scholarship, I was able to achieve my goal of earning my Bachelor's degree which later led to other great opportunities, like producing a musical. I am grateful for the assistance that the Dollars for Scholars provided me."
