EASTON – Local officials are smiling from ear to ear this week after receiving a check for $1 million from an anonymous donor to establish a scholarship fund.

Easton Town Manager Jackie Bradley confirmed Wednesday that the money will be used to establish the Hayden Family Trust, which will provide scholarships for Easton Junior/Senior High School graduates.

“I was speechless when I found out we were going to get it,” Bradley said. “It’s just a wonderful gift to students at Easton High School.”

Bradley said she had been talking in the past month with the donor, who grew up in Easton. She declined to give many details about the discussions, but said that the donor initially offered the $1 million up front.

“I was dumbfounded,” Bradley said of the conversation. “In fact, I don’t think I reacted until I had hung up. But then when I talked to him again, then I reacted.”

Bradley said the money will be invested and that only the income from the $1 million is to be used for scholarships, so that “there will always be a trust there, there will always be scholarships as long as there is a town of Easton.” She said officials are looking at the potential of distributing $50,000 in scholarship funding each year.

Easton’s Board of Selectmen is in the process of setting up the criteria for the trust fund. They will consult with the high school principal and faculty, as well as the alumni association. The process is expected to be complete in the next month or so.

Bradley said that once fully funded, the scholarship fund potentially could benefit every high school graduate from Easton who wants to go on to college. This year, the high school has 19 seniors graduating. The Class of 2008 is about half that size.

Ralph Conroy, principal of Easton’s junior/senior high school, said Wednesday that school officials are delighted with the news.

“It’s wonderful. It’s an amazing opportunity for our students,” he said. “It may open a door for someone who can’t afford higher education.”

Officials indicated in a press release that the scholarships will be available for all forms of postsecondary education, whether at four-year colleges, two-year colleges or trade schools. Scholarships will be awarded only to students residing in Easton and graduating from Easton High School or a successor school.

Officials also said the scholarships will be named in honor of Verna Fuller and Keith Thompson, two former teachers “that made a difference in the life of the donor.”

“This is a gift to the students, to the graduating classes. It’s a huge opportunity for the kids,” Bradley said. “It also, I think, makes me feel proud that someone who grew up here has such fond memories of the town to be willing to give a gift like this.”