Burlington Alumni Scholarship
The Burlington Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund was established at the WYCF in 2007 to honor the memory of Miriam Neves Hammell. In 2008, Mrs. Lynette Loveland, added a significant gift to the endowment in memory of her husband, James Loveland. Miriam Hammell and James Loveland were generations apart, each leading successful lives, but taking different paths. However, these Burlington Alumni never forgot their small town Wyoming roots. To learn more about Miriam Hammell and James Loveland follow the links below.
ABOUT MIRIAM NEVES HAMMELL
The individual that contributed to making this scholarship possible, Miriam Lena Neves Hammell was born in Burlington, Wyoming on February 18, 1922. Living on a farm in the 1920’s and 30’s was a lot of hard work with very few of life’s luxuries. Education was important to Miriam. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1940 and attended the University of Wyoming. Learning did not come easy for Miriam but she kept at it so she would not have to work on a farm all her life. She felt “farm work was just too hard!” Miriam graduated from the University of Wyoming with a double major in Dietetics and Education. Miriam met George Wilson (Pat) Hammell a returning WWII veteran, in her first year of teaching in Guernsey, Wyoming. Miriam and Pat were married in Burlington Wyoming at her parents’ home June 2, 1946. They adopted two little girls, Mary Lou and Carolyn Sue. Miriam was a dedicated teacher. She taught for over thirty years in Oklahoma. Most of her adult years were spent in literacy helping non-English speaking students learn and do well in school. Miriam loved to see her students, succeed. She expected excellence and received it from her students. Miriam’s true legacy is in the stories from the many people whose lives she touched. One of her former students said, “When I was a teenager, troubled, lonely, and with little self-confidence, Miriam showed unconditional love for me when I needed it most.” Miriam passed away August 27, 2006. With her dedication to learning it is fitting that Miriam Lena Neves Hammell left scholarship funds for generations of other Burlington High School students. She wanted to help others, from the little community where she spent her hard working farm years, have the opportunities she had for an education.
ABOUT JAMES LOVELAND
For a memorial to her husband, Lynnette Loveland has generously helped build the permanent scholarship endowment fund for students who graduate from Burlington High School. James Loveland was born, raised and educated in Burlington, WY. When he was young, it became apparent that he was very inventive. James willingly donated his skill and substantial time even though he was involved in school and church activities and worked for a farmer. While fixing a broken scoreboard, James figured out a way to add a foul light. He also built a speech synthesizer and successfully installed intercoms through all the school buildings. James graduated from high school in 1969 and in 1970; he married his high school sweetheart, Lynnette Childs, from Basin, WY. He attended Ricks College and graduated from B.Y.U. with a degree in broadcast journalism. While attending BYU, James started a construction company, which became one of Utah’s largest insurance restoration companies. His innovative thinking led to the creation of estimating software called Xactimate which is widely used by both contractors and insurance companies for estimating repair costs involving property claims. Founded in 1986, the family-oriented company grew to become an international leader in the estimating software and property claims business. James and Lynnette have five children, Jim, Eric, Amanda Behrbom, Lychelle Day, and Michael who died at age three. James’ first priority was his family. Favorite vacations were house-boating at Lake Powell, Christmas in Hawaii, and trips to Yellowstone. He and Lynnette were there for anyone in need, especially troubled youth. In a tribute to James, a U.S. Congressman said, “James was a light to others who are making their way through difficult times.” A special memory of James is of an e-mail he sent when the military reserves were being called to active duty. It was to announce an addition to company policy. Not only would jobs be held open for those called away, Xactware would also pay the difference between their current salary and their active military pay for up to two years, including any shortfalls in medical benefits. He ended by saying, “If you have to take care of business for us over there, Xactware will help care for your family here.” When asked for advice about a difficult situation, James would sometimes reply, “There are two things I know for certain. One: There is a God. Two: I’m not Him.” James Loveland died of leukemia in 2005 at the age of 54.
About this Scholarship:
- Amount distributed are multiple $750 scholarships for one-academic year
- Specific to graduates of Burlington High School
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Financial need must be demonstrated by completing the Financial Aid Affidavit on the last page of the application
- Deadline date is March 1st
- Submit your application directly to Mr. Olson at that Burlington High School guidance office
If Awarded:
- Fund are paid directly to the accredited institution and not to the individual
- This scholarship may be accepted in addition to other awards
- If awarded, students must be enrolled full-time for each semester
