February 26, 2025
Melinda Kay Smith Scholarship Fund
Last October, my family and I had the wonderful privilege of traveling to Spokane to attend the 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner of Northwest Christian Schools. It was a heartwarming experience to connect with my sister’s classmates going back 50+ years. They shared how she often spoke of heaven, wrote notes of encouragement to her classmates, and how she was full of joy and happiness. I cherished this opportunity to engage with everyone there, reflecting on the lasting impact this community has had on my life.
I attended NWCS in 1971-1974, along with my sister, Melinda Smith. Perhaps you knew my sister, who was in 6th grade in 1972 at the Cedar Campus (then called Central Campus). This past year, I’ve been on a journey, processing the short time I lived in Spokane. After the accident with Melinda and death of my father just two years later, my mother and I moved to Portland. From direct prompting from God, I have established the Melinda Kay Smith Scholarship Fund, raising money for students’ tuition at the Cedar Campus.
The week of Thanksgiving 2024, I had the joy of seeing scholarships awarded to three families, providing financial assistance to four students currently attending the Cedar Campus. What a blessing it was to support these students in continuing their Christian education, especially so close to Thanksgiving!
As I continue to raise funds to support students, I want to invite you to consider contributing to the Melinda Kay Smith Scholarship Fund. Through this fund, God continues to work in powerful ways, honoring my sister’s memory and touching lives through the generosity of donors like you.
My desire is to keep this fund thriving, ensuring that more students can benefit from a Christian education at the Cedar Campus by awarding funds right before Thanksgiving each year. If you feel led to give, simply click here, which will take you directly to Northwest Christian Schools’ donation page for a one-time or recurring gift. On the fund dropdown line, scroll to the “Melinda Kay Smith Scholarship.” You can contribute there or simply drop a check in the mail to Northwest Christian Schools, 5104 E Bernhill Rd, Colbert, WA 99005, with the fund in the memo line of your check.
I would love to hear from you if you knew my sister or have any memories of your time at Central (now called Cedar) you’d like to share. Please reach out to me!
Have a blessed New Year!
Larissa Smith-Beals
larissajbeals@icloud.com
3963 Tayside St S
Salem, OR 97302
503-510-2638
Any alumni or former students who were friends or classmates with Melinda are encouraged to reach out to Larissa to share your memories.
The following are images of a pamphlet given out after Melindas death by her dad to spread her joy and love for Jesus and heaven.
