Giving back to our Heber-Overgaard community is a priority for HOCRN (Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network). Annually, we present four scholarships valued at $2000 each to graduating seniors from Mogollon High School.

Jim Cherry and his wife Sylvia, for years ran an operated H.O.S.T. (Heber Overgaard Service Team) Thrift Store in Heber, AZ. The thrift store served the community for many years, helping people where needed and providing scholarships. Jim passed during Covid and later Sylvia offered up H.O.S.T. to any group willing to take it over. This is how we came to have a HOCRN Thrift Store. We are honored to be able to recognize Jim for his giving, continue his legacy, and offer two scholarships in his name.

June ”Sassy” Call is a local Realtor here in Heber-Overgaard. June has volunteered countless hours with RCSC, H-O Chamber of Commerce, Real Estate associations, and was co-founder of HOCRN. Since the inception of HOCRN on February 22, 2022, June has served as President of the HOCRN Board. We offer the June ”Sassy” Call Scholarship.

Now retired, Fire Chief William D. McCluskey proudly served the Heber-Overgaard community from 2017 to 2023. Chief Dee was always active in the community and was co-founder of HOCRN. Chief Dee serves as an advisor to HOCRN, and we offer the Fire Chief William D. McCluskey Scholarship.

HOCRN is operated 100% by volunteers, therefore, our HOCRN scholarships look for students who have volunteered within their community. We look at students’ school participation, have they held a job, and what are they doing to make our community better.

For the Fire Chief William D. McCluskey scholarship, we do open the scholarship to past graduates of MHS. We are specifically looking for candidates eager to pursue fire science, emergency medical training, forestry, and related studies.

HOCRN Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students

Congratulations to all the Mogollon High School graduating seniors! This year, 2025, the Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network (HOCRN) received a total of 13 scholarship applications from exceptional students. The dedication, effort, and enthusiasm displayed by these young adults made the selection process both inspiring and challenging.

A big thank you goes out to the parents, friends, school staff, and the entire community for supporting these scholarship candidates. Because of the high caliber of applications received, HOCRN decided to award two additional scholarships this year. HOCRN Scholarships support local students pursuing certification programs, trade/technical schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities. This year’s recipients truly exemplify the spirit of service, hard work, and community involvement that HOCRN values.

2025 HOCRN Scholarship Recipients

  • Nathan Bove – Recipient of the June “Sassy” Call Scholarship ($2,000) –  Named after HOCRN’s current Board President and co-founder, June Call. June praised Nathan’s exceptional essay and congratulated him on his achievement.
  • Bryson Kelton – Recipient of the Fire Chief William D. McCluskey Scholarship ($2,000) – This award honors HOCRN co-founder Fire Chief McCluskey and is given to a student pursuing education in public safety, fire, police, EMT, or forestry.
  • Kyton Tomlinson – Recipient of the James “Jim” Cherry Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) – Named in memory of Jim Cherry, who operated the HOST Thrift Store with his wife, Sylvia. Kyton has volunteered with HOCRN since its early days—always willing to lend a hand (and some serious muscle!) whenever needed.
  • Addison Chisam – Recipient of the James “Jim” Cherry Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) – Addison’s essay included the quote, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” Her dedication to community service embodies the true HOCRN spirit.
  • Trevor Western – Recipient of an HOCRN Scholarship ($1,000)
  • Amelia Jenson – Recipient of an HOCRN Scholarship ($1,000)

Celebrating Community and the Future

HOCRN extends sincere congratulations to all scholarship recipients and graduating seniors.

Recipients of our 2024 Scholarships are:

  • James “Jim” Cherry Memorial Scholarship – Jordan Rose and Morgan Martineau
  • June “Sassy” Call Scholarship – Luke Crandell
  • Fire Chief William D. McCluskey Scholarship – Madison Fabian

Recipients of our inaugural year 2023 Scholarships are:

  •  James “Jim” Cherry Memorial Scholarship – Alexis Blasingame and Ellie Hancock
  • June “Sassy” Call Scholarship – Alexis Blasingame
  • Fire Chief William D. McCluskey Scholarship – John Roznovak