Scholarship and award recipients announced

Each year, New York Mills High School and various community organizations and individuals gather together to recognize the hard work and dedication of local students. This year, $197,050 in scholarships was awarded to NY Mills students. Although the financial help available is impressive to say the least, the simple fact remains that New York Mills High School students are competitive in local, regional and college-based scholarships.

Let's start by first recognizing students who have excelled in each academic department area during their four years in high school. Jon Kotaska (Cavin Berube), Verne Peterson (Ashley Hagen), Eric Niemi (Brad Aschnewitz), Carrie Jorgenson (Jeremy Hagen), and Amy Koskela (Margaret Nelson).

Scholarships

New York Mills Lions. (Allison Becker, Macailia Warner, Patrick Peltier, Amanda Patron - $500 award to each recipient).

Perham Masonic Lodge

(Joel Huch $400, Melissa Hagen $400)

Royale B. and Eleanor M. Arvig Memorial (Thomas Uselman $750 x 4)

Jennio-O Turkey Store (Amanda Branby $600)

Mad Hatters Community Theatre Fine Arts (Alicia Hagen $500)

Tri-County Hospital Foundation (Sada Thompson $1,000)

The Charles D. Center Post 3289 VFW Scholarship Fund

(Cavin Berube $500, Melissa Hagen $500, Jill Salo $500 and Sada Thompson $500)

The Harold N. Wood Memorial; dedicated to Mr. Wood, who served 15 years as the superintendent of New York Mills Public Schools. The award is given annually to a student who has the potential for future success as an educator. (Max Schmidt $100)

Steve Porkkonen Memorial; Steve was the construction manager for the New York Mills High School addition, Elementary School remodel, and the construction of the new auditorium. This scholarship goes towards a person who will use his/her knowledge in the construction field to facilitate such a project. (Cavin Berube $250)

Gary Maki Memorial; given each year to a worthy New York Mills Senior based on accomplishments, character and potential. This year's $500 scholarship is awarded to Jordan Guck.

Dr. Donn Oelschlager Memorial; $500 scholarship given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship and a strong interest in the field they will study at college. This year, the award winner is Joel Huch.

Katelyn Bauck Memorial; established by her family in January 2006. The intent of the scholarship is for the recipient to be pursuing a degree in elementary education, early childhood education, or a field working with young children. The scholarship of $250 goes to Alyssa Lemon.

Julia Krekula-Gray; $200 is awarded this year to Macailia Warner.

Marjorie Weir Hanson RN Nursing; given annually to a student pursuing a career as a registered nurse. The $450 scholarship is renewable for four years. This year's award belongs to Sada Thompson.

Rod Imsande Memorial; established in March 2006 by the family of Rod Imsande. The scholarship recipient shall be a well-rounded student involved in the arts, sports and community activities. This $500 scholarship goes to Joel Huch.

Janis Mae Isaacson Memorial; awarded to a student who intends to study English, Speech, or American History. This $200 scholarship goes to Kenny Szymonowicz.

New York Mills School Board and Lakes Country Service Cooperative; This is a cooperative scholarship in which business, industry, communities and schools give recognition to deserving students representing the 41 school districts in The Lakes Country Service Cooperative. Lakes Country awards one $200 winner and the NY Mills School Board provides the funds for four additional $200 scholarships. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. The five students receiving this scholarship are: Margaret Nelson, Tessa Wegscheid, Cavin Berube, Macailia Warner and Ashley Hagen.

Shaunalea Huwe Memorial Agricultural; family and friends of Shaunalea Huwe established this scholarship the spring of 2000 for students entering an agricultural post secondary program. This year's $500 recipient is Melissa Hagen.

Paatola Memorial Agriculture; $500 scholarship given annually to a student pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field. This year the award winner is Robert Lubitz.

Ottertail Rod and Gun Club; provides an annual scholarship of $500 to a worthy student, preferably one who is entering a field related to conservation or wildlife. This year's award winner is Thomas Uselman.

Jaakola Family Health Career Scholarship; established to help students pursue a degree in a health-related field. This year's award of $500 goes to Brianna Ehnert.

New York Mills Education Minnesota Union; provides two $500 scholarships annually called the Teachers for Education Scholarships. This year, Margaret Nelson and Tessa Wegscheid were selected as the winners.

J. Eric Anderson Excellence in Education; awarded to a student pursuing a career in education. This year's recipient of $500 is Alyssa Lemon.

There are several other awards that are given in memory of J. Eric Anderson. Each year, the school has one $500 award through the Anderson Memorial, and five $300 scholarships from the Anderson Scholarship Fund - all to assist with the costs of higher education. This year the $500 award winner of the Anderson Memorial Scholarship is Drew Schultz.

And the five Anderson Scholarship Fund awards of $300 each go to: Grant Cameron, Jacob Hofland, Chelsea Lausten, Kenny Szymonowicz and Kristina Boe.

Dr. Harold O. Rud Memorial; established in 1975 in memory of Dr. Harold O. Rud. This year the $200 winner is Alisson Becker.

Ruby Olsen-Sifritson; created in 1991 to assist worthy students attending post secondary training. Ruby taught for 44 years from 1928-1972, spending the last 18 years of her career at New York Mills High School. This year, the four $500 winners are: Margaret Nelson, Aaron Wegscheid, Ashley Hagen and Alicia Hagen.

Ottertail Lions Club; sets aside a significant amount of money for local scholarships each year. This year, the Lions awarded $3,250 in scholarships to 13 students in $250 increments. They are: Melissa Hagen, Brianna Ehnert, Ashley Hagen, Alisha Hagen, Jordan Guck, Brea Welter, Steven Fischer, Jason Burg, Amanda Patron, Tarrel Flanigan, Amanda Brandby, Thomas Lambertson and Robert Lubitz.

New York Mills Civic Excellence Award; intent of this award is to promote a strong sense of citizenship with a focus on service to others. The NYM Civic Excellence Award is a two-part program that is based on the selection of a recipient in the spring of their junior year in high school. Part one recognizes the recipient's civic excellence through a $200 donation in the name of the recipient to an eligible, non-profit charitable entity of the recipient's choice. Part two awards the recipient with a $400 scholarship to be used for post-secondary education.

This year's Civic Excellence Award winner is Melinda Carrlson

In addition to the local scholarships, several students have been awarded scholarships from other businesses, organizations, and their prospective colleges.

Cavin Berube has been awarded a $1,000 academic scholarship from NDSU.

Margaret Nelson has been awarded the valedictorian scholarship from St. Kate's University in the amount of $11,500 for four years.

Kristina Boe has received a $750 scholarship for two years to Itasca Community College.

Kenny Szymonowicz has been awarded a $2,700 Teamsters Union Scholarship, a $5,000 academic scholarship from Jamestown for four years, a $2,500 Brunswick scholarship and a $2,000 track scholarship for four years.

Macailia Warner has received a $1,000 academic scholarship from Minnesota State University Moorhead, a $100 4-H scholarship and a $500 scholarship from the National Organization of Women.

The Minnesota Fire Service Foundation has issued a scholarship to Brea Welter in the amount of $1,000.

Christina Peeters has been awarded a $100 scholarship from the 4-H Federation.

Ashley Hagen has received an academic scholarship of $750 from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a $250 scholarship from Barrel O' Fun

Alicia Hagen has been issued a $250 scholarship from Barrel O' Fun as well as a $6,000 academic scholarship from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Chelsea Lausten has been awarded a $1,000 academic scholarship from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Drew Schultz has received an $11,000 presidential scholarship from St. John's University renewable for four years.

Tessa Wegscheid has been awarded an academic scholarship from the University of Minnesota-Duluth for $1,000, the UMD Iron Range scholarship for $2,000, a $300 scholarship from the Catholic Aid Association and a $500 scholarship from Lake Region Electric Cooperative.

Sada Thompson has been awarded a $4,000 academic scholarship for four years from Jamestown College and a $300 scholarship from the Catholic Aid Organization.

Amanda Patron has been issued the Brunswick Scholarship in the amount of $10,000.

Alyssa Lemon has received a scholarship from the Brunswick Foundation in the amount of $2,500.

Allison Becker has been issued a $750 academic scholarship from Minnesota State University Moorhead.