JAMES McCash

KINGSFORD — In its second year, the James O. McCash Vocational Scholarship is open to students from all schools that participate in the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District, which includes Iron Mountain, Breitung Township, Norway, North Dickinson, Forest Park, West Iron County, Niagara, Wis., and Florence, Wis.

Information on how to apply is available through the scholarship administrators or guidance offices of the eligible schools, with applications due March 31.

The James O. McCash Vocational Scholarship is intended for students pursuing a two-year vocational type degree, with preference toward construction and the trades. There will be one recipient each year who will receive $5,000 per semester, for a total of $20,000 during their two years of schooling.

The scholarship was established by three of McCash’s children — Colleen Lowe, Cory Poquette and David McCash — to honor and pay tribute to the life and hard work of their father, Jim McCash.

He came from modest beginnings and eventually became a partner and played an integral role in taking MJ Electric from a tiny company with one pickup truck to a major electrical contracting firm, as well as in the development of Systems Control and Boss Snowplow.

These companies all remain among the largest employers in the area today.

McCash believed that the combination of education, enthusiasm, and effort was a sure recipe for success. Even though he never had the opportunity to attend college himself, his generosity helped several others further their education beyond the high school level. His children said they feel lucky to be able to continue to do so in his memory.