Susan Thomas, wife of the late Senator Craig Thomas and Director of the Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation, is encouraging Wyoming's at-risk students to apply for the Thomas Foundation Scholarship.

Scholarships are given to Wyoming students who want to go to a Wyoming college or a vocational training program. The scholarships are $1,300 and offered one semester at a time. The Foundation monitors each student’s progress throughout the semester. According to Mrs. Thomas, she is able to personally mentor each student.

"The mentoring part is huge," says Mrs. Thomas.  "I think that's what makes it work.  They need to have their backs."

The Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation focuses on Wyoming's at-risk youth population and those who champion young people.  "After Craig died, I wanted to do something in his honor to keep his legacy alive," says Mrs. Thomas.  "I had worked with at-risk students, teaching them, for 36 years.  Craig loved young people.  I put those two things together and we created the Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation."

Fourteen scholarships are available through the foundation, and must be applied for.  Mrs. Thomas goes on to say that each application includes an essay portion that will allow her to better get to know the applicants.  "I want to know what they think and feel.  What their struggle has been.  What their goals are and why they want to further their education," she says.  "I want to know their hearts, frankly."

People interested in the Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation Scholarship can get more information by visiting the foundation's website.  The deadline for scholarship applications for next semester is November 1st.

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