Posted 5/30/01
Donors very generous for North Branch graduate scholarships
By MaryHelen Swanson
More than $88,000 in scholarship donations was distributed to worthy students Wednesday, May 23 at the annual awards program at North Branch High School.
Surprises abounded as donors called in with the news of significantly increased donations this year, causing school counselor Lora OíHern to to be overwhelmed.
Surprise one came when the family of Rick Doyle increased its donation to $12,000 this year, having raised much of this through an annual golf tournament held in honor of Rick who was killed while working at Timís Country Cupboard in Stacy several years ago.
This was distributed as 21-$500 scholarships.
The second surprise was an increase in the donation from the Edelstein Family Foundation. While they gave fewer scholarships this year, the amount of each scholarship was increased; they provided eight $5,000 scholarships.
While the actual number of donors was down this year, the total donation was more than twice last yearís, noted OíHern.
The program commenced with academic awards and senior class honor students receiving their cords to be worn at graduation June 6.
A jovial moment was had when presenter Ken Norquist shared some historical facts about the family of Thor Bergstral, in whose memory a scholarship is given each year.
It was also interesting when he mentioned family members of some of the graduates and how they interconnected with life today, including the fact that two such individuals saved his life at birth when the doctors gave him up for dead.
In the hour and a half ceremony, many seniors made trips to the stage, and the students of North Branch High School were well served by generous community members, organizations and businesses.
The 2000-2001 scholarship distribution was as follows:
Rick Doyle Memorial Scholarship- $500 each Cassandra Anderson, Bridget Bergstrom, Joshua Cash, Jenica Husnik, Scott Johnson, Andrew Kaupang, Terri Koep, Molly Leibke, Maggie Lofboom, Nicole Lundeen, Joseph Markusson, Edward Oehlers, Rhianna Okerstrom, Amy Ramberg, Amy Stromberg, Kyung Mo Sung, Link Swanson, Clinton Torp, Faith Vincent, Anika Walz; $1,000 each Rachel Felix and Jake Olson.
North Branch Rotary Scholarship- $500 Sarah Anderson, $750 Justin Miller; $1,000 Melissa Kosky.
Roger and Pat Nelson Scholarship (Nelsonís Market (employees benefit from a higher education/continuing education bonus) - $1,000 Erik Anderson.
Rush City Jaycees Scholarship- $750 each Clinton Torp, Natasha Peterson.
2001 North Branch Trust Fund- $300 Sharon Sauro, $250 each Jana Kunde, Elisabeth Sandey, Anna Osterdyk.
U.S. Bank Scholarship- $250 Jay Clawson.
Presidential Student Service- $1,000 Britta Anderson.
ERA Muske Scholarship- $500 Nichole Pierce.
Aid Association for Lutherans Scholarship- $2,000 each Jay Clawson, Maggie Lofboom.
American Legion Scholarship- $500 each Britta Anderson, Erik Anderson, Michelle Hammer, Natasha Peterson.
Bernickís Pepsi Scholarship- $500 each Bethany Mahlke, Elisabeth Sandey, Rachel Villagomez, Bradley Baumann, Erik Anderson, Jana Kunde.
Staff Pop Fund Scholarship- $250 each Lisa Oknich, Bert Nelson.
East Central Energy Scholarship- $500 each Sarah Jean Nelson, Jeremy Miller, Mitch Savage, Ron Dehn.
Edelstein Family Foundation Scholarship- $5,000 each Jay Clawson, Jonathan Pohlkamp, Kyla Stegmeir, Maggie Lofboom, Britta Anderson, Erin King, Stephanie Shockley, April Dahl.
Ervin Lindberg Scholarship- $300 Richard Keller.
Florence Barnes Scholarship- $1,000 Meredith Ahlgren.
Hazelden Scholarship- $600 each Jennifer VanWagner, Jacob Carter.
John E. Allquist Memorial Scholarship- $500 each Michelle Hammer, Jenica Husnik, Tara Carlson.
Mason Foundation Scholarship- $1,000 Clinton Torp, $500 Terri Koep.
6th-grade Wreath Fund- (this money was set aside when this graduating class sold wreaths in sixth grade) $500 Rachel Felix.
National Honor Society Scholarship- $500 Britta Anderson.
North Branch Alumni Scholarship- $600 each Terri Koep, Link Swanson, Bridget Bergstrom, Michelle Hammer.
Thor Bergstrahl Memorial Scholarship- $600 Natasha Peterson.
North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship- $300 each Tara Brown, Dan Fairbanks.
North Branch Education Association Scholarship- $500 each Kyung Mo Sung, Jeremy Miller, Bradley Baumann, Janelle Chisholm, Bridget Bergstrom, Sara Davidson, Ron Dehn, Ashley Mork, Melissa Kosky, Sharon Sauro, Andy Kaupang, Jeremy Kalibabky.
NBHS Senior Scholarship- $500 Link Swanson.