In a heartwarming celebration of community spirit, the small town of Swanville, Minnesota, has been making a significant impact on the lives of its graduating seniors for the past three decades. With a close-knit population of just 328, this charming town embodies the essence of togetherness as it comes together each year to honor its graduates with scholarships.

The dedicated residents of Swanville have embraced creative ways to support their students, hosting delightful bake sales, lively chili cook-offs, and engaging bingo nights, all in the name of continuing this beautiful tradition. Over the years, the average scholarship amount has grown remarkably—from a modest $166 at its inception to an impressive $5,000 this year for graduate Zack Gapinski.

Featured in Boyd Huppert’s “Land of 10,000 Stories,” this long-standing tradition reflects the community’s commitment to ensuring that every student embarks on their journey with a strong foundation. It serves as a heartfelt reminder that no matter where life leads them, the graduates will always have a welcoming home in Swanville.

As Zack Gapinski shared, the spirit of the community is encapsulated in their encouragement: “To me, it’s just this community saying, go be great. Go do something cool and make a difference in the world.”

The roots of this inspiring initiative trace back to former Swanville School Principal Chris Dunshee and local gas station owner Royal Loven. Concerned that students might drift to larger neighboring districts, they envisioned a billboard proclaiming, “We give every student who graduates a scholarship.” Although the billboard idea didn’t materialize, the spirit of that vision lived on, leading to the remarkable success of Swanville High School’s Dollars for Scholars program, which recently celebrated the milestone of awarding its one-millionth dollar.

Teresa Giese, the program president, emphasizes the importance of supporting students on any path they choose. “If you’re taking a break year and you apply, we’ll still allocate money to you,” she said. “If you go into the military, when you’re done with that, we’ll give you your money then.”

During the graduation ceremony, students are filled with anticipation as they await their scholarship amounts, which are determined based on various factors such as grades, attendance, work history, stated goals, and school involvement. This unique approach truly embodies the spirit of ‘Minnesota Nice.’

This uplifting tradition is a beautiful testament to the power of community support and love. It encourages young people to dream big and pursue their passions, knowing they have a solid foundation back home.

Let’s celebrate this inspiring story and the goodness that flourishes in small-town America.