The Kiwanis Club of Horizon City recently announced the Ben Narbuth Kiwanis Club of Horizon City Endowed Scholarship for graduating high school seniors from the school districts of Clint, San Elizario and Socorro.

The scholarship was established by the Kiwanis Club of Horizon City at the Paso del Norte Community Foundation in honor of dedicated Kiwanis Club member and leader Ben Narbuth.  Mr. Narbuth was born and grew up in Pennsylvania. He served in the Army Nurse Corps and had tours at Walter Reed Army Hospital, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Fort Knox, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Benning, and a final tour at William Beaumont Army Hospital. Following retirement as a Colonel in 1979, he worked at Providence Memorial Hospital and Southwestern General Hospital. 

Mr. Narbuth joined the Horizon City Kiwanis Club in 1996 and became active in the Terrific Kids program and in the Kiwanis Club’s main fundraiser, Charitable Bingo.  The Terrific Kids program grew from benefitting one school to benefitting thirty-five elementary schools in the Socorro, Clint and San Elizario school districts.  Terrific Kid recognition was aimed at students who had made real progress toward self-improvement, such as improved behavior in the classroom, reduced tardiness, students who started being helpful to their teachers and fellow students, and whose homework was completed on-time.  Mr. Narbuth was a committed volunteer and made impacts in the lives of so many students until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and could no longer physically serve the community. 

“The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is proud to partner with the Kiwanis Club of Horizon City on this endowed scholarship named for someone who contributed so much to the community,” said Mica Short, Vice President of Development for the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. “The six scholarships for students of Clint, San Elizario and Socorro ISDs will help students continue to improve themselves and give them the opportunity to forge a bright future for themselves. This is a great example of how we partner with community organizations to achieve their charitable and philanthropic goals.”

This endowed scholarship honors Mr. Narbuth’s service to the community and the role he played in delivering programming to students that positively changed their trajectory in life. 

Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible for the Ben Narbuth Kiwanis Club of Horizon City Endowed Scholarship, a student must:

• Have been enrolled the final two years of his/her education at one of the following school districts: Clint, San Elizario, or Socorro; and 
• Meet all graduation requirements by June of their graduation year, as specified by the school district attended: Clint, San Elizario or Socorro, and as set forth by the State of Texas (e.g., credits, EOC, state tests, etc.); and
• Have been accepted for enrollment at a community college or university or any accredited institution of learning or trade school; and
• Must be enrolled full-time in such institution of learning or trade school and show proof of enrollment.

Approved scholarships will be awarded a maximum of $1,000 per student and will be payable to the college, university or trade school after proof of registration is provide. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 5 p.m.

To review scholarship application, visit pdnfoundation.org/scholarships or click here. For more information, contact Casie Pedregon at (915)218-2644 or cpedregon@pdnfoundation.org.

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world on child and one community at a time.  This endowed scholarship will meet the mission of Kiwanis International by assisting students in their efforts to better themselves through the pursuit of higher education or a trade skill with the hope that they will pay it forward upon their success in life.