Dollars for Scholars awards 30 scholarships

by Frank Lee

operations@thenewsleaders.com

The St. Joseph Area Dollars for Scholars chapter recently awarded scholarships of $250 each to 30 local high school students who intend to continue their education at a college or university.

All funds for the scholarships, which total $7,500, were raised through contributions by area businesses and industry, individuals and an annual phone-a-thon.

“It’s to provide scholarships for young people pursuing higher education,” said Doug Danielson, chapter treasurer and emcee of the May 4 awards banquet at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall.

The nonprofit foundation is part of a national network of locally-based, volunteer-driven Dollars for Scholars chapters that help hometown students by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments, providing assistance with college readiness and the financial aid process.

To be eligible for the St. Joseph Area Dollars for Scholars scholarship, you must meet one of the following criteria: You or your parent/guardian must live in the St. Joseph Fire District, be active in a St. Joseph civic organization or be employed in St. Joseph.

“The need, obviously, for supporting our students is greater with the increase in the cost of education, so this is a good way to support our local students,” Danielson said.

Last year, 25 students were awarded scholarships of $250 for post-secondary education for a total of $6,250.

The St. Joseph chapter was established in 1996, and since then more than 560 scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $140,000 to help local students.

This year’s recipients are as follows, in alphabetical order:

Benjamin Alvord, son of Ann and Mike Alvord. He graduated from Apollo High School and attends St. John’s University studying education. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Jaycees.

Justin Barg, son of Janell and Jeff Barg. He graduated from Apollo High School and attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities studying engineering. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Lions.

Kate Bechtold, daughter of Pat and Bruce Bechtold. She will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Scholarship sponsor: Sunset Manufacturing.

Nathan Bedel, son of LuAnn and Brian Bedel. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy and attends St. Cloud State University studying health and medicine. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Alexander Birr, son of Joy and Leon Birr. He will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend Arizona State University to study information technology and computer science. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Lions.

Calvin Birr, son of Joy and Leon Birr. He graduated from Apollo High School and attends Arizona State University studying engineering. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Newsleader.

Emily Boysen, daughter of Terri and Gene Boysen. She graduated from Apollo High School and attends Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., studying nursing. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Samuel Clausen, son of Holly and Roger Clausen. He will graduate from Rocori High School and plans to attend North Dakota State University to study finance. Scholarship sponsor: Collegeville Credit Union.

Matt Danielson, son of Carol and Doug Danielson. He graduated from Apollo High School and attends the University of Minnesota-Duluth studying marketing. Scholarship sponsor: Mike Hazen Memorial.

Claire Drake, daughter of Mary and Tim Drake. She will graduate from home schooling and plans to attend St. Paul College to study foreign languages. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Taylor Fourre, son of Lora and Matt Fourre. He will graduate from Albany High School and plans to attend St. John’s University to study physical therapy. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Marisa Gaetz, daughter of Rose and Rick Gaetz. She will graduate from St. John’s Preparatory School and plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study mathematics. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Jacklyn Hensel, daughter of Dawn and Jim Hensel. She will graduate from Paynesville High School and plans to attend Minnesota State University-Mankato to study nursing. Scholarship sponsor: Michael Contardo and DDS/Laser Dentistry.

Matthew Jagielski, son of Lou and Mike Jagielski. He graduated from Apollo High School and attends the University of Minnesota-Mora studying business or economics. Scholarship sponsor: Pam’s Auto.

Kendra Johnson, daughter of Ann Bloch and Lee Johnson. She graduated from Holdingford High School and attends Moorhead (Minn.) State University studying English and journalism. Scholarship sponsor: Sentry Bank.

Sabrina Keller, daughter of Gina and Mark Keller. She graduated from Apollo High School and attends St. Cloud State University studying nursing. Scholarship sponsor: Styles, Cotton & Milbert DDS.

Nathan Klehr, son of Lisa and Larry Klehr. He will graduate from Rocori High School and plans to attend Alexandria Technical College to study diesel mechanics. Scholarship sponsor: Steve Schirber.

Amber Klein, daughter of Denise and Brian Klein. She will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend the College of St. Benedict to study communications/broadcasting. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Jaycees.

Samantha Laudenbach, daughter of Lisa and Gerald Laudenbach. She will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend the University of North Dakota to study physical therapy. Scholarship sponsor: Dr. Thomas Newton/Centracare Clinic.

Jonathon Maleska, son of Jackie and Jim Maleska. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attends the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities studying engineering. Scholarship sponsor: Iver Linneman/St. Joseph American Legion and Knights of Columbus.

Logan Mehr, son of Michelle and Dave Mehr. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attends the Berkley College of Music studying music and music education. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Lions.

Tyler Meyer, son of Jennie and Mike Meyer. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attends St. John’s University studying engineering. Scholarship sponsor: Pam’s Auto.

Ethan Novacinski, son of Cheryl and Grant Novancinski. He will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend St. John’s University to study physical therapy. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Shannon Osendorf, daughter of Rose and Bruce Osendorf. She graduated from Cathedral High School and attends St. Cloud State University studying elementary education. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Adam Schleicher, son of Amy and Gary Schleicher. He will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend St. Cloud State University to study health and medicine. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Firefighters.

Katie Schleper, daughter of Ruth and Tom Schleper. She graduated from Apollo High School and attends Minnesota State University-Mankato studying biology. Scholarship sponsor: Midcontinent Communications.

Alexander Theisen, son of Sarah and Todd Theisen. He will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend Gustavus Adolphus College. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Benjamin Thell, son of Janelle and Mike Thell. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attends the College of St. Scholastica studying information technology and computer science. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Elizabeth Thell, daughter of Janelle and Mike Thell. She will graduate from Cathedral High School and plans to attend the College of St. Scholastica to study social work. Scholarship sponsor: Dollars for Scholars phone-a-thon.

Kelsey Winter, daughter of Sue and Shawn Winter. She will graduate from Apollo High School and plans to attend the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks to study nursing. Scholarship sponsor: St. Joseph Manufactured Homes.