The Stewart’s Make Your Own (MYO) Scholarship Committee is celebrating a monumental 20 years of helping students with their college expenses. This year, the committee awarded a record $406,250 in scholarship funds to 81 college-bound students in the Stewart’s family, a 12% increase over 2018. The MYO Scholarship Program provides the children and spouses of Stewart’s employees with financial aid for college.

Founded by Philly Dake in 1999, she believed in the power of higher education and making it accessible to those wanting to pursue it. Over the past 20 years, the MYO scholarship program has benefited 442 students offering nearly $5 million in financial assistance.

The program has made college and career dreams come true and has lessened the financial burden on many families. We’ve seen the program help to shape scientists, musicians, performers, accountants, artists, business professionals, doctors, professors, and many other career paths.

Philly Dake chose the phrase “Make Your Own” to emphasize that although these funds provide an opportunity, true learning only occurs when students apply themselves and discover the keys to make their own education.

Special thanks to Philly Dake for having the foresight to create this remarkable program and to Joan Maxam for her tireless hours and dedication to make higher education possible for so many students for the last 20 years.

Diana Dandro-Keith, a 2004 graduate of Miami University received $14,000 in college scholarships from the MYO Program. Diana grew up in Saranac Lake and she now owns her own company, buying and selling scientific lab equipment. Diane recently wrote a heartfelt letter and said, “Thank you for believing in me when I was first making my way in the world.”

The MYO Scholarship program will continue to believe in and support these students that are making their way in this world.

Here’s a glimpse of how this program has impacted so many students:

Stewart’s was recently recognized as a Top Workplace. In addition to this amazing college assistance benefit for spouses and their children, employees receive ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) contributions, health insurance and paid vacation, paid maternity leave, discounted YMCA gym memberships and discounted childcare at the YMCA.

Stewart’s Shops is currently hiring for positions across the company. You can find more information on our careers page.