Storm Lake Times Pilot

Dollars for Scholars awards $53,400 to 56 seniors

More giving increases chapter scholarships

Recipients pictured are, front row, left to right: Apisinee Thao, Gerardo Rodriguez, Tiffany Garcia, Evelyn Torres, Kirsten Murillo, Ellie Bacon, Karley Mills, Emily Nothwenr, Elli Jensen, Danika Demers. Second row: Arely Ramirez, Natalie Coronel, Saw Moo, Kaw-Nay Mgwe, Bryant Santillan, Viviana Zavala Aguilera, Yeeshai Valdivia, Jack Huss, Octavio Sanchez. Third row: Simone Trocio, Angel Figueroa, Mason Laven, Toby Jones, Andrew Goettsch, Tanner Fiorendino, Nhat Truong. Fourth row: Drew Taylor, Sam Dvergsten, Austin Gaffney, Sam Slight, Keegan Miller, Tyler Moon, Logan Merten, Mia Kleespies, Halle Patten, Alayna Rice, and Tiffany Trujillo. Fifth row: Madeline Nera, Maria Figuero, and Marlene Cortez. Not pictured: Betsy Calderon, Crosby Chanthavisouk, Nyakot Chotper, Alejandra Comparan Rodriguez, Lindsay Garcia, Stephanie Hernandez-Castro, Leonor Khamsouk, Cole Konradi, Claudia Lizardo, Zuleima Martinez, Emmanuel Morales, Naw Yin Ka Pan, Dah Gay Paw, Erika Petersen, Jocelyn Ramos and Seng Yang.

Members of the Storm Lake Dollars for Scholars Chapter of Scholarship America are pleased to announce the 56 seniors from Storm Lake High School and Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School who have been awarded scholarships totaling $53,400.

This amount includes 15 $800 and 41 $600 chapter scholarships generated through a community campaign, as well as 37 sponsored scholarships.

Chapter scholarships are funded by the generous contributions of individuals, families, local organizations, businesses, as well as interest from trust funds.

Chapter President Laurie Gaffney announced at the award ceremony Sunday that thanks to the generosity this year, the chapter scholarships have been increased from $400 to $600, and from $600 to $800.

Sponsored scholarships are funded by local community service organizations, local businesses, and individuals who believe in encouraging and rewarding our youth. Scholarships reward students for academic achievement along with school and community involvement, activities, and employment during the school year.

$800 Chapter Scholarships:

Ellie Bacon, Danika Demers, Austin Gaffney, Jack Huss, Toby Jones, Mia Kleespies, Keegan Miller, Tyler Moon, Madeline Nera, Emily Nothwehr, Halle Patten, Arely Ramirez, Alayna Rice, Samuel Slight, and Yeeshai Valdivia.

$600 Chapter Scholarships:

Betsy Calderon, Crosby Chanthavisouk, Nyakot Chotper, Alejandra Comparan Rodriguez, Natalie Coronel, Marlene Cortez, Samuel Dvergsten, Maria Figueroa, Angel Figueroa, Tanner Fiorendino, Tiffany Garcia, Lindsey Garcia, Andrew Goettsch, Stephanie Hernandez-Castro, Elliot Jensen, Leonor Khamsouk, Cole Konradi, Mason Laven, Claudia Lizardo, Zuleima Martinez, Logan Merten, Kaw-Nay Mgwe, Karley Mills, Saw Moo, Emmanuel Morales, Kirsten Murillo, Naw Yin Ka Pan, Dah Gay Paw, Erika Petersen, Jocelyn Ramos, Gerardo Rodriguez, Octavio Sanchez, Bryant Santillan, Drew Taylor, Apisinee Thao, Evelyn Torres, Simone Trocio, Tiffany Trujillo, Nhat Truong, Seng Yang, and Viviana Zavala Aguilera.

Sponsored Scholarships:

Danika Demers — Anita Daniels Memorial $500

Tiffany Garcia — Anita Daniels Memorial $500

Mia Kleespies — Anne Gallagher Memorial $500

Halle Patten — Anne Gallagher Memorial $500

Simone Trocio — Bernice Kolb Scholarship $500

Tyler Moon — Bernice Kolb Scholarship $500

Octavio Sanchez — Brent Croker Memorial Teaching $300

Austin Gaffney — Floyd and Dorcas Kallmer $500

Toby Jones — Frank T. & Joan L. Smith Memorial $300

Yeeshai Valdivia — ISG Scholarship $500

Keegan Miller — ISG Scholarship $500

Emmanuel Morales — Joan Vilas Memorial $500

Emily Nothwehr — Kristen Kelley Zoucha Catholic Leaders $500

Logan Merten — Marjorie Troxel Fratzke Memorial $500

Danika Demers — P.E.O. Scholarship $1,000

Arely Ramirez — P.E.O. Scholarship $1,000

Samuel Slight — Pat Fisher Memorial $500

Natalie Coronel — Porsch Family $500

Jocelyn Ramos — Robert E. and Alice Mailliard Memorial $500

Samuel Slight — Security Trust & Savings Bank $500

Tanner Fiorendino — Stalcup Agricultural Service $300

Marlene Cortez — Steve Tjaden Memorial Scholarship $500

Mia Kleespies — SLCSD Administrative Team $300

Halle Patten — Storm Lake Education Association $500

Octavio Sanchez — Storm Lake Education Association $500

Alayna Rice — Storm Lake Hy-Noon Kiwanis $300

Nhat Truong — Storm Lake Hy-Noon Kiwanis $300

Austin Gaffney — Storm Lake Rotary $350

Ellie Bacon — Storm Lake Rotary $350

Crosby Chanthavisouk — Storm Lake Stars Mentoring Program Scholarship $300

Dah Gay Paw — Storm Lake Stars Mentoring Program Scholarship $300

Viviana Zavala Aguilera — Storm Lake Stars Mentoring Program Scholarship $300

Arely Ramirez — Storm Lake Stars Mentoring Program Scholarship $300

Seng Yang — Storm Lake Stars Mentoring Program Scholarship $300

Angel Figueroa — Storm Lake Stars Mentoring Program Scholarship $300

Karley Mills — United Bank of Iowa Scholarship $500

Viviana Zavala Aguilera — United Bank of Iowa Scholarship $500

Want to help?

Dollars for Scholars is always looking for new members to join its board. You can contact the organization at stormlake.dollarsforscholars.org

If you would like to support Dollars for Scholars financially, please donate online as well. Information to sponsor a scholarship can be found on the site, too.

Sam Slight received the Pat Fisher Memorial award from Pat’s daughter, Mel Fisher.

The Porsch Family Scholarship was presented to Natalie Coronel by Mike Porsch.

The Steve Tjaden Memorial Scholarship was presented to Marlene Cortez by Roxanne Tjaden.

Rick Peterson with the Storm Lake Hy-Noon Kiwanis Scholarship winners Nhat Truong and Alayna Rice.