Two Stutsman County students earn Chamber scholarships to University of Jamestown

Paige Anderson of Medina and Jaelyn Neys of Jamestown each earned a $1,000 Past Presidents Scholarship from the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, two awards built to keep Stutsman County students connected to the local workforce after graduation.

Anderson received the general scholarship and plans to attend the University of Jamestown, where she is still undecided on a major. Her application stood out for the range of her involvement in local life, including FFA, band, sports and a small baking business she started called Paige’s Pantry. Neys received the healthcare scholarship and plans to study nursing. She already has experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and her application highlighted more than 30 hours of volunteer service, including work through National Honor Society and support for older adults in the community.

The Chamber’s scholarship program is designed around a simple economic goal: keep promising young people in the area after high school. The University of Jamestown says the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the importance of retaining people who want to enter the workforce or start businesses in Stutsman County. That makes the scholarships more than a tuition boost. They are part of a local talent pipeline meant to strengthen the county’s long-term civic and economic base.

This year’s awards came through two separate tracks. One scholarship is offered by the chamber and Jamestown Regional Medical Center for a student pursuing a medical field degree. The other is offered by the chamber and the University of Jamestown and is open to any academic major. Both scholarships are non-renewable, total $1,000 each and are paid in two $500 installments during the student’s freshman year.

The application also makes clear what local leaders are looking for. Candidates must be graduating seniors from Stutsman County, accepted to the University of Jamestown as full-time students for the fall semester, and planning to remain in the area after college. Students must submit two recommendation letters, one from an educator and one from a community member, along with answers about their contributions to Stutsman County, what they learned from those experiences, what opportunities they want to pursue locally after college and why they want to stay.

Applications for the 2026 cycle opened March 4 and were due May 1. The awards also come as the University of Jamestown continues to serve as a regional anchor, with all full-time undergraduates receiving some type of financial aid and scholarship packages starting at $8,000 minimum. The university reported record enrollment of 1,372 students in fall 2024, including 953 undergraduates on the Jamestown campus, adding weight to the Chamber’s effort to keep local students learning, working and building their future close to home.