ELLSWORTH – Two scholarships have been awarded to Hancock County residents through the Next Step, Hancock County’s only domestic violence project.

The Martha Beathem Scholarships are awarded to people who have suffered domestic abuse but who have a strong desire to develop or improve their education.

Beathem was a Next Step board member for seven years who set up a permanent fund to provide the annual scholarships.

Because of the recipients’ circumstances, their names remain confidential with the Next Step.