Thanks to a fundraiser at the thirteenth annual Murphy Maize Days that occurred in September, the Murphy Chamber of Commerce has announced it is able to fund eight chamber-backed scholarships for high school seniors graduating in 2023.

According to Luke Trahan, the Chamber of Commerce Director of Memberships, and a board member for the chamber’s education foundation, the “Punkin’ Chunkin’” fundraiser at Maize Days raised enough money to fund eight $1,500 scholarships for soon-to-be graduating seniors.

The fundraiser encouraged fair goers to purchase a $5 pumpkin to slingshot into targets set up in the pond at Waters Edge Park. Trahan said that over 300 pumpkins were purchased at $5 a piece, and along with other community sponsors was able to put even more money back into scholarships.

“The vast majority of what we raise comes directly from local businesses,” Trahan said.

The city of Murphy sponsored the event by providing the pumpkins and cleanup.

Scholarship applications open in March 2023 with an application period of four weeks. After the application window closes, the chamber will begin its selection process in April so students can be notified before the end of the school year.

The scholarships are only open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must also be Murphy residents.

The chamber will announce dates and details on the application process sometime after the New Year.

By Kyle G. Horst

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