Need based scholarships
Established 2021 by daughter Debra S. Lapo and her husband John M. Ballinger in memory of Richard Lapo’s life and career. Richard Lapo grew up during the Depression and post WWII era, but due to the generosity of others he was able to attend Westminster Choir College in Princeton New Jersey where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. After working some years in full-time church music, he moved his wife and family to Wenatchee in 1967 and he taught, directed, performed and mentored in the Wenatchee Valley College Music, Arts and Drama Department until his retirement in 1994. He believed in the value of education and often used his allotted choir scholarship fund (and sometimes the cash from his wallet) to help WVC students remain in school. We establish this scholarship in his honor to carry on that legacy of giving and paying it forward.