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Foundation Student Scholarships Available
ALL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS REQUIRE A PERSONAL ESSAY – See application tips for specific details.
The Spencer Community School Foundation Scholarships are funded by multiple gifts presented to the
Foundation by the following donors; I.J. “Mr. D.” and Ruby Dvergsten, Agnes Goeke, Hazel Barringer Hoeppner,
Gilbert & Lillian Pullen, Kenneth and Yvonne Randall, Frank & Nelda Thomas, Milt Warner, and David Wagner
Memorial Scholarships. Scholarships are presented to more than forty Spencer High School students based on the
information set forth in the application. All seniors qualify to apply.
Approximately 40 Awards: up to $1,500 each
Johnson Engineering Scholarship is designed to support young women pursuing careers in the field of engineering.
Eligible students should have at least a 3.0 GPA and plan on attending an ABET (Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology) accredited 4 year university. Candidates must show strong leadership and academic
excellence. Preference will be given to those who have taken at least one dual credit or Advanced Placement
course in math or science and involvement and/or leadership in a combination of music, theatre, and athletic
high school activities.
Award: $500
The Barbara Besch Memorial Scholarship was established by Dave Besch, Barb’s husband, and her children Alycia,
Valarie, and Jason in memory of their beloved wife and mother. Barb was the Director of School Improvement for
the Spencer Community Schools, and she had a passion for educating our youth. This scholarship is for a student
who is planning on a career in education. Applicants should be involved in community service activities.
Award: $500
The Northwest Bank William C. Orrison Scholarship is given by Northwest Bank in honor of retired Chief Financial
Officer Bill Orrison. With a degree in accounting from the University of Iowa, Bill was employed as an Executive
with Northwest Bank over his 26 year career, working in the operations, lending and the finance areas. At the
time of his retirement in 2012, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Bank and responsible for all
accounting and investment activities. This scholarship is for students planning on careers in accounting, finance,
or banking areas. Students must have earned a GPA of 3.0 or above and have participated in school, community,
and/or church activities throughout their high school years.
Award: up to $1000
The Sue Harman Nursing Scholarship was established by Sue Harman, a Spencer High School graduate, and a
physician’s assistant in our community. This scholarship was created in memory of her parents, Kenneth and Jean
Gates, long time Spencer business owners, who were instrumental in Sue receiving her nursing and PAC degrees.
Applicants must be attending a post-secondary institution and seeking a degree in nursing. Criteria include a
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must be currently enrolled in or have successfully completed an
anatomy/physiology, chemistry and/or AP biology course.
Award: $500
The Terry and Tessa Hemann Future Educator Scholarship was established by Tessa and Terry Hemann to honor
students who have expressed an interest in becoming educators. Both Tessa and Terry are Spencer Community
School educators, currently serving as middle school language arts instructor and superintendent of schools,
respectively. Applicants should have a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA and have demonstrated that they are
committed to helping children through their involvement in school, church, and/or community activities.
Award: $500
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The Anna H. Schmid Memorial Education Scholarship was established by Anna for graduating Spencer High
School students interested in pursuing a four-year degree in education. Anna was a 1932 graduate of Spencer
High School and learned the life values of education early on in her high school career. She was a long time
federal employee and spent countless hours throughout her life volunteering her time and energies to those
causes that she deemed worthy. Many hours were spent in service to her church and her community. Anna
recognized the great value of education, especially to those who choose to pursue a career in teaching the next
generation. Candidates must show academic excellence, leadership, good character, and participation in school,
community, and church activities.
Award: $500
The Anna H. Schmid Memorial Scholarship was established by Anna for graduating Spencer High School students
interested in pursuing an A.A. degree. Anna was a 1932 graduate of Spencer High School and a graduate of Cedar
Rapids Business College. She used her business education extensively in her 35-year career as a federal
employee. Throughout her life she spent many hours volunteering for her community and especially for her
church. Anna valued the training that she received both in high school and also in business college and used that
training in her job and in organizations she was involved with to help people. Anna was known as a tireless
worker and one that went above and beyond what was asked of her. Candidates must show academic excellence,
good character, leadership and a willingness to work with others in their employment, community and their
church. This scholarship is open to students wishing to pursue an AA degree in their chosen area of interest.
Award: $500
The Alisa Schwarz White Memorial Award/Scholarship was created due to the unexpected loss of Alisa, which
prompted her class of 1980 friends to establish this memorial scholarship awarded to a Spencer High School
senior in Alisa’s honor. Criteria for evaluation include participation in school (especially drama and theatre),
academic excellence and community activities, as well as future plans to pursue post-secondary education.
Award: $500
The Thomas A. Conley Memorial Scholarship was established by family in memory of a loved one (Thomas A.
Conley) who possessed a 40-year passion for education. Lorraine Conley and her family, Kelly (Conley) and Dave
Tellinghuisen, Mike and Becky Conley, and Ann (Conley) and Neil Williamsen have designed a scholarship to be
awarded to a graduating senior pursuing a career in education. Candidates must show academic excellence,
leadership, participation in school activities, and involvement in character building activities such as church,
employment, volunteer work and/or community interests.
Award: $500
The Michael E. Tangney Scholarship is in memory of Spencer High School graduate Michael Tangney. During his 4
years of high school, Michael excelled in academics and in track and field. Eligible students must be graduating
seniors from Spencer High School and must be planning to enroll and pursue a degree in an accredited postsecondary institution during the next succeeding academic year. Students must also have excelled in academics,
earning a 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale and have participated in track and field. Candidates must show academic
excellence, leadership, good character and participation in school, community and church activities.
Award: $500
The Sharon Howe Hitchcock Memorial Scholarship was established for an individual participating in girl’s softball.
Award: $500
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The following scholarships require additional information. Please read carefully.
The Michael Fischer Memorial Scholarship was established by his loving family in memory of Michael Fischer, a
longtime Spencer businessman and an accomplished photojournalist. Applicants should submit a one-to-two
page essay (double-spaced, font size 11) discussing how the following quote relates to the applicant's life:
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn."
Award: Up to $1000
The Purple and Gold Scholarship has been established by a Spencer family wishing to make a difference and who
recognize the importance of a positive attitude and enthusiasm for school and/or community. This scholarship is
intended for a student attending either a two-year or four-year institution. Candidates should exhibit pride and
enthusiasm for their school, work, and/or community in doing the best they can within their circumstances.
Applicants should include a paragraph on a separate sheet of paper on why school and community involvement
is important.
Award: $500
The Kyle Lachner Memorial Scholarship was established to encourage our youth to be advocates against drug use,
to promote drug awareness and to help develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to appreciate the benefits of
a healthy lifestyle. The recipient of this scholarship will be honored not only for being a role model to their peers
and others around them, but also for being a positive role model for the younger students at Spencer Community
Schools. There are many outlets in which we can make this happen: helping with the D.A.R.E. program, supporting
Positively Spencer Youth activities, participating in community service or school projects...the possibilities are
endless! You can make a difference..be that difference. Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education
and submit an essay that outlines their involvement in drug prevention and awareness.
Award: $500
The Lachner Family Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Kyle Lachner, a young man who touched
us with his smile, compassion, quick wit and sense of humor. Kyle had a deep passion for sports and was a good
friend to many. His care and concern for others was quite evident. Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary
education, have participated in at least 2 sports and submit an essay about a time in their lives they overcame
adversity or how the made an impact on others by something they did.
Award: $500
The Ellis Family Scholarship was initiated by Kathleen (Ellis) and Daniel Penkert in memory of their beloved family
members, Harry and Helen Ellis and Terry B. Ellis. With Helen (1936 graduate), Terry (1969 graduate), and
Kathleen (1965 graduate) all being Spencer High School alumnus with a family passion for music, it was a natural
to benefit a Spencer student continuing their instrumental music goals. Students must be currently involved in
music (either in school sponsored activities, personal band or performances (i.e.: plays instrument in community
band or dance band). Applicants must intend on attending an institution of higher education at the community
college level or higher focusing on a career in instrumental music, maintained a C average in school and
demonstrate financial need through the use of the Student Aid Report. Applicants must complete a one-page
explanation of the role that music plays in their life and indicate plans for the future.
Award: $500
The Charles T. & Ruth Ann Whittenburg Family Scholarship was established and designed for students interested
in a two-year post secondary education (AA degree) in science and technology with an emphasis on industrial
studies, pre-manufacturing and construction or pre-agriculture. (Students planning to attend a four-year college
may apply, but priority will be given to those planning to attend a two-year school.) Applicants must complete
an essay outlining 1) what course of study you have chosen to pursue and why, 2) how do you plan to use your
education following completion of your course work i.e. state your employment plans or career goals.
Approximately 4 Awards: up to $650
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The Adolph & Esther Vestergaard Memorial Scholarship was designed with funds from the estate of long-time
Dickinson County residents, Adolph and Esther Vestergaard. Their wishes directed that the trust assets be
endowed with the income used to assist needy and worthy residents obtaining an education beyond high school.
The primary criteria for evaluation are based on true financial need. Other qualifications include demonstration
of positive academic performance, traits of good citizenship, residents of Clay or Dickinson County and enrollment
in an accredited post-secondary educational institution. If applying for this scholarship, you must submit a copy
of the first page of your Student Aid Report (SAR) with your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from your
financial aid application to the Foundation office by February 28, 2015.
Approximately 10 Awards: up to $2,000 each
The Thayer Family Scholarship is given by the Thayer Family Fund in honor of the significant role Spencer High
School has played in the many lives of its community members and in recognition of the excellent educational
foundation it has provided to its students. The Thayer Family Scholarship has the potential to be awarded for
another four years to the recipient, assuming the recipient meets the requirements for continued funding. Eligible
students must be graduating seniors from Spencer High School and must be planning to enroll and pursue a
degree in an accredited post-secondary institution during the next succeeding academic year. Students must also
have excelled in academics, earning a 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, participated in extra-curricular activities in
high school and throughout the community, demonstrated skills of a successful leader through athletics, school
government, fine arts, or employment. Applicants must respond to the following essay prompts:
Being able to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses can help you become a better individual in anything
you choose to do.
In a 2 – 3 page, double-spaced, 11 pt. font document, respond to the following writing prompts. Each prompt
must be answered separately, but the total for all your responses should not exceed 3 pages. Title your document
Thayer Family Scholarship Essay.
1. What differentiates you from other students who are also applying for the Thayer Scholarship?
2. Define what two personal characteristics you would like to change about yourself and how you are actively
working to change these.
3. Describe what your three greatest strengths are. Give examples of how you use your strengths to benefit
others.
4. When have you experienced a failure when attempting to achieve a goal? Or at least had a result less than what
you anticipated? Describe the experience and what you did and then what you learned about yourself and what
life lesson(s) you feel you have gained. How will you use what you learned from this experience?
5. Define what being successful in the future means to you. What actions will you take to achieve this definition of
success?
6. Please provide four letters of recommendation from teachers, employers or someone who can demonstrate
why you are worthy of receiving this scholarship. Of the four recommendations only one can be written by a
classroom teacher, a peer must write one, and at least one must be from a non-school, non-related acquaintance.
Award: $10,000
Questions contact 712-262-8950
email: foundation@spencerschools.org
www.spencerschoolfoundation.com
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