Tax season is a frenzied time for Patti Hammett and yet she wants to make the most of this busy period to help Tahoma High School seniors.

It started simply enough nine years ago when the Maple Valley-based tax accountant whose kids attended Tahoma schools started helping the high school’s PTA by reading through scholarship applications.

“It was just so frustrating to me,” Hammett said. “You had these brilliant kids who work so hard, but, if they missed a period or did one thing wrong (on the application) it was so competitive they missed the scholarship.”

A few years ago Hammett decided she would donate money for a scholarship because there isn’t enough cash to go around among the senior class every year.

She has worked with Kim Walley, who currently serves as PTA president as well as scholarship administrator, on donations.

“I called the school and said, ‘I want to do a scholarship. I want to do more, I want to give more,’” she said. “I started out giving $100. They called up and asked if I could do more, so, I just said ‘Make it $100 to each of them.’”

So, she gave $100 each to two students.

“Slowly, but surely I’ve doubled and doubled,” Hammett said. “I would like for 10 kids to get $250. It would be awesome to see 10 kids get that recognition.”

Walley explained in an email that the Tahoma HIgh School Community Scholarship program is offered to all graduating seniors who plan to continue with their education after high school.

“There are scholarships available for every type of student, continued education plan and academic level,” Walley wrote. “Every year we are having more and more graduates apply for scholarships who are all very deserving, yet with deep sadness their just isn’t enough scholarship money to be awarded to each applicant. If I would to chose one goal, it would have to be I would love to award each applicant a scholarship during the Senior Awards Night in May of each school year.Each graduate represents part of our future and they all deserve to continue their education and be who they want to be.”

The Community Scholarship program is sponsored by the Tahoma High PTA in an effort to allow community members as well as business owners to donate to scholarships, Walley wrote, without setting up a scholarship application of their own.

“This is a great opportunity to have a scholarship awarded in a business’ name or as a memorial scholarship in a loved ones’ name,” Walley wrote.

With it being tax season, Hammett said, it make sense to offer a portion of the profit she receives from new clients between now and April 10.

“One of the ways I want to (give more) is increasing my business so I can give a percentage of my profit … to increase the the scholarship,” she said. “At the same time, I’ve talked to a number of business owners.”

Hammett explained that many local entrepreneurs simply aren’t aware that the PTA and Maple Valley Rotary offer scholarships to Tahoma students and that any amount they can donate makes a difference.

And businesses who do contribute are recognized at the PTA’s awards event for seniors which this year is set for 7 p.m., May 23.

But, that’s not why Hammett does it.

“People just need to know that this is available,” she said. “The kids, they deserve it, and there just isn’t enough to go around.”

To donate to the THS Community Scholarship program, contact Kim Walley at THS_PTA@hotmail.com prior to April 1.