Minnesota Sheriff's Association Scholarship awarded to local recipient

Bemidji, MN –December 23, 2021: On December 23, 2021 Mason C. Bitker of Bemidji was awarded a $2000 scholarship from the Minnesota Sheriff's Association to help him continue his pursuit of his post-secondary education in the criminal justice field.

Mason, a 2020 Bemidji High School graduate, is currently enrolled in the Law Enforcement curriculum at Alexandria Technical and Community College and will graduate in the spring of 2022.

Mason was recommended for the scholarship by Beltrami County Sheriff Ernie Beitel for his outstanding work ethic and integrity. In Mason's application for the scholarship he stated that receiving the scholarship would allow him to achieve a goal he set for himself of being entirely debt free upon graduation.

Mason has paid for all of his tuition and housing expenses out of his own pocket by working as a part-time Corrections Officer-Dispatcher for the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office as well as picking up odd jobs in his spare time.

Prior to his post-secondary education Mason was a member of the Bemidji Police Explorer's Program.

Congratulation Mason Bitker!

Sheriff Ernie Beitel

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office