Scholarships

James McBride Stewart was born in Kilomarnock, Scotland in 1936 and emigrated to the United States with his parents and sister in 1950, settling in Madison.  Jim ‘s educational journey in Madison would take him to the University of Wisconsin where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree, after which Jim was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S Army.  For the next 20 years, Jim led a distinguished military career, earning a Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his service in Vietnam and serving a one-year tour in South Korea.  Jim’s military service would lead him to UW-Whitewater where he was assigned to the Military Science Program (ROTC) and where he obtained an M.A. degree and an M.S. degree.  Jim retired from active-duty in 1979 having achieved the field grade rank of Lt. Col., US Army (Regular).  In 1980, Jim became an Assistant Registrar at UW-Whitewater, retiring as Registrar in 2001.  Whitewater was indeed fortunate that Jim called Whitewater “home”.  Jim continued his life of service when he was elected to represent the Wisconsin State Assembly 32nd District in 1982.  Jim went on to serve on the Whitewater School Board serving until his passing.  Jim also served on the City of Whitewater Common Council and was appointed to serve on the City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission.  Perhaps his lasting legacy was establishing the Whitewater Banner which continues to serve as a dedicated local news source for our community.  Jim eventually gifted the Banner to the Whitewater Community Foundation in order to ensure the continuation of this valuable source of information for this community.  Jim will be remembered by all who knew him for his wonderful smile which he used generously.

The Whitewater Community  Foundation honors Jim’s life of service by offering a $1,000 one-time scholarship to a student who will attend any college, university or trade school.  In addition to academic achievement, students will be evaluated on their activities, volunteerism and community service.  The WHS Common Application will be used, and selection will be made by the Whitewater Community Foundation Board of Directors.  Electronic WHS Common Applications in PDF format must be submitted online to info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022 to be eligible.  Payment will be made directly to the institution upon receipt of proof of enrollment.

The Whitewater Community Foundation is proud to offer a $500 scholarship in honor of its founding members. Russell Devitt, John Newhouse, Charles Scharine, Betty Frawley, Don Hale, Randy Cruse, Robert Kelchner and Dr. Lee Allenstein were instrumental in forming the Foundation.

The Founders’ Scholarship will be awarded to a student who has shown a passion for learning and shows academic promise. The candidate will have exhibited a strong sense of community involvement and service. Outside work experience and volunteerism will be given consideration. Enrollment will be at any Wisconsin 2- or 4-year school.

A short handwritten essay that supports strong character, work ethic and volunteerism is required with the application.

Financial need is an important factor in determining the candidate.

The WHS Common Application form must be used. The WHS Scholarship Committee will select the top 5 applicants and submit them to the Whitewater Community Foundation Scholarship Committee for final selection.

Payment will be made upon certification of registration for second semester in the same school.

The Raymond O. Storck Family Scholarship Fund,  a permanent fund with the Whitewater Community Foundation, will award one (1) scholarship each year to a student who has financial need and are attending a technical school, college, or university.  The scholarship is a maximum of $750 per year (up to four years) and will be paid directly to the institution.  Electronic applications must be in PDF format and must be submitted online to info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org. The Whitewater Community Foundation Scholarship committee will select the recipient.  Payment will be made to the institution.

This $3000 ($1500/semester) scholarship is for a student who will attend any college, university, or trade school.  In addition to class rank, students will be evaluated on participation in activities and volunteerism, both at school and in the community and the quality and uniqueness of each application.  Students will use the WHS Common Application and must include two (2) letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member and one from someone in the community.  Electronic applications must be in PDF format and must be submitted online to info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org.  The Whitewater Community Foundation Scholarship committee will select the recipient.  Payment will be made to the institution.

This $1,000 scholarship is made possible by the family, former players and friends of Coach Jim Crummey. Jim was head football coach at Whitewater High School for 29 years , from 1943-1973, He established a winning tradition at WHS with a career record of 183 wins, 62 losses, 9 ties, and 11 conference championships. Jim was a master coach, a mentor, an exemplar, abut most of all, a true friend to his students and players.

The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and reward excellence. The award will go to a capable and deserving senior student athlete who did the most with the least, worked hard to improve skills and was always a team player.

Selection will be made by the Whitewater High School coaching staff. Payment will be made upon proof of full-time enrollment for the fall semester. Should the recipient not enroll for the fall semester, the committee may select an alternate to receive the award.

Any alteration in the award specifications shall be approved by a member of the Crummey family, a representative of the coaching department, and a representative of the Whitewater Community Foundation.

This $1750 scholarship is given to a senior pursuing higher education in the field of history or other social sciences.  The Whitewater Community Foundation Board will select the scholarship recipient.  Electronic WHS Common Application in PDF Format must be submitted online to info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org.  Payment will be made during the first semester to the institution.

Dorothy Heldt was a second and fourth grade teacher in the WUSD from 1947 to 1975. Upon her death, she bequeathed $290,000 in memory of her brother, Burton H. Heldt to be used for scholarships for graduating WHS seniors. Each year, a portion of the interest will be used to fund five $625 scholarships. The WHS Common Application will be used and selection of the recipients will be made by the WHS Faculty Scholarship Committee.

A graduate of Whitewater High School in 1987, Veronica studied in London for two semesters as a part of the study abroad program at UW-Whitewater and received her BA in Political Science and Criminology from UW-Whitewater in 1991. She completed a University of Cambridge course in Teaching English as a Second Language in London in 1992 and received her MA in Linguistics from St, Mary’s University College in Twickenham, London in 1996.

Veronica was an average student and athlete with above average passion and commitment to be the best she could be in everything she did. This unrelenting determination led her to become a respected and admired teacher in South Korea, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, an accomplished athlete finishing the Iron Man in Lake Placid, New York in July 2000. Veronica’s work ethic, her tenacious and indomitable spirit, and the way she embraced opportunities and accepted challenges were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

This scholarship will go to a candidate seeking post-secondary education at an accredited college, university or technical college and who possesses qualities similar to Veronica. Programs of one (1) year of less will receive an award of $3,000 upon verification of program completion or 2nd semester enrollment. Programs of greater length will receive $1,500 upon verification of full-time enrollment in the 2nd semesters of year one (1) and two (2).

The WHS Common Application will be used. The high school Faculty Scholarship Committee will select the recipients.

Treyton Kilar was a 6-year-old boy who loved baseball. More importantly, he loved playing the game with his team. He was kind, trustworthy, hard-working, and dedicated to making himself and those around him better ball players. Two $500 scholarships have been established in his name to honor one male and one female in the Whitewater High School Baseball and Softball programs. Students displaying the characteristics of hard work, dedication, trustworthiness, and leadership both on and off the field, along with strong academic effort within the classroom throughout their high school careers will be considered for this scholarship. Selection will be made by the Kilar family and the WHS Common Application will be used.

This $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a qualifying senior with a GPA of at least 2.5 who is planning to pursue a major or minor in theatre arts (acting for stage, stage production, stage direction, technical theatre, musical theatre, theatre management, etc.) at an accredited school. The recipient must have been an enthusiastic participant in the WHS program (min. three productions on-stage or behind the scenes). Applicants need to attach to the Common Application a list of WHS shows they participated in - including a description of involvement in each. Payment will be made upon proof of (1) a first-semester GPA of at least 2.5 and (2) full-time second-semester enrollment.

The family of Randy Lyon funded this $500 scholarship for a senior male or female track athlete who plans to pursue a post-secondary education. Randy was a member of the Whitewater high School class of 1976. He ran on the Whippet varsity track team, taking 1st place in the mile relay team at state, earning 2nd place in the long jump at state and winning four gold medals at the conference track meet.

The student must be a varsity track member. The student must have been enrolled in Whitewater High School for a period of not less than four semesters prior to graduation and have a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.5. The candidate must demonstrate good sportsmanship, a strong work ethic and a positive team attitude, celebrating in the team’s success even more than his/her own.

The athletic director, head boy/girl track coach will determine which applicant is more deserving of the scholarship award. While performance is an important part of athletics, it is not the primary focus of this award. More importance is the athlete’s personal characteristics.

In addition to recognition at the WHS annual Scholarship Night, the award recipient will also be announced and recognized at the annual Randy Lyon Memorial Track meet held each spring. Students will use the WHS Common Application. Payments will be made upon proof of successful completion (2.0 GPA) of fall semester and full-time enrollment for the spring semester. If the scholarship is not claimed during the academic year, the recipient will forfeit the award.

Les Moksnes, the son of Norwegian immigrants, was born and raised in Whitewater. After graduating with a business degree from Northwestern University, he returned to Whitewater and eventually founded Moksnes Manufacturing Company, Inc. The company, later renamed AccuRate, Inc., fabricated and sold metal objects such as rakes birdhouses, collators, and dry-chemical feeders. AccuRate became a successful international company and was sold to Schenck in the mid-1990s.

In addition to providing skilled, high-paying employment, Les was a quiet leader in the community. He served on the Whitewater Common Council for almost 20 years, including two terms as its president. Along with Jack Frawley, he was a founding member of the Whitewater Rotary Club and was an avid supporter of the UW-Whitewater Affairs Council. It is this spirit of organization building and civic duty that the F.L. Moksnes Memorial Scholarship commemorates.

This is a $1,000 scholarship available to any senior enrolled at an accredited 2-year or 4-year school, college, or university. Preference will be given to a student who meets one or more of the following criteria:

• S/he is enrolled at a technical college with the intent of pursuing a mechanical field, engineering, or computer-based technology
• S/he is the first generation child of immigrant parents
• S/he has studied more than one foreign language

In addition to the above, and as a tie-breaker, civic involvement and interest will be considered. The WHS Common Application will be used for this scholarship, and the selection will be made by the family.

A scholarship established in memory of Mrs. Jean Olson to be awarded to a student who will be seeking a career in Art. The student must be registered in the School of Art in the college of the arts.

The amount shall be paid over a 4-year term to the recipient. In the event that the recipient does not continue to pursue a degree in a college or university in Art, then the scholarship will terminate at the commencement of and academic school term in which the recipient in not pursuing a degree as stated above. Students will be expected to participate in an interview and display a variety of their art projects. The recipient of the award shall be determined by Mr. Karl Olson. The amount of the scholarship will be $1,600 given over a 4-year period. The WHS Common Application will be used.

This scholarship has been established in memory of Elizabeth A. Parenteau for the purpose of rewarding volunteerism and public service beyond academic program requirements and/or school sponsored activities. The recipient of this $1000 award will be a graduating senior who is academically responsible, aware of the needs of others, and someone who has made a conscientious effort to improve the world around them. Examples of service projects may include, but are not restricted to involvement with Habitat for Humanity, the Food Pantry, the Clothes Closet, community ESL programs, reading enhancement programs, church sponsored work mission weekends/trips, etc. Family obligations do not fall into this category. The recipient must attend a four-year accredited college or university and have a GPA of at least 2.5. The WHS Common Application will be used.

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student who wishes to develop his or her career by attending a technical of vocational school.

Mr. Weiler was the founder of Weiler and Company, Inc., a local manufacturer of heavy-duty food processing equipment that is sold throughout the world. He received the majority of his education from technical schools, and was well known for his exceptional mechanical aptitude. Mr. Weiler believed that technical schools provide excellent opportunities for students directing their careers in a specific field.

The WHS Common Application will be used and selection will be made by the Weiler family in conjunction with the Faculty Scholarship Committee. With candidates of equal ranking, preference may be given to a student who is related to an employee of Weiler and Company, Inc., or who has the greatest need. The award money will be payable from the Whitewater Community Foundation to the student and the chosen school as co-payees upon receipt of certification of successful completion of first semester.

There is a growing need in the trades to replace competent carpenters from the Baby Boomer generation who will now be needed to build homes. This need is significant. There are not enough quality builders to offset the demand for housing which has been increasing exponentially. Many of the best carpenters are reaching retirement age with no plan for succession. There is also a need for well-minded contractor sales people in the lumber industry capable of serving the needs of those same builders. For either of these careers, blueprint reading and material take-off are important and with the right attitude salary expectations can be significant rating above six figures incomes. In honor of Donald W. Hale, Founder of Home Lumber Company, who was always reaching out to the community, and assisting people in the building trades, Home Lumber promotes the Building Material Industry by granting this $1,000 Donald Hale Memorial Scholarship to a senior who chooses to further his/her career in either of these fields. Selection of the award will be based upon high school record, community involvement, character and financial need. The recipient of this scholarship must attain a minimum grade point average of 2. 75 on a 4 point scale after their first post high school semester and show proof of registration for their second semester on this two year technical journey. Selection will be made by Geoff Hale and the WHS Common Application will be used.

The Bob and Jill Freiermuth Key to Business Scholarship is a $1,000 renewabIe award presented to a
Whitewater High SchooI senior with plans to attend any two or four year college. To be eligible for the
scholarship an individual must have attained a GPA of 2.5 or higher and participated in FBLA for 2 years.

A successful applicant will have worked a part time job for at least 6 months for the same employer for 10-15 hours per week and have the employer provide a short paragraph of the student's abilities that would make him/her a quality business student in college.

The student wiIi submit a hand written, short, memorable
essay about themseIves and their aspirations. Creativity is encouraged to introduce yourself
to the donors. The WHS Common Application will be used. Selection will be made by Bob and Jill Friermuth.

The Bob and Jill Freiermuth Working Towards Success Scholarship is a $1,000 renewabie award presented
to a Whitewater High SchooI senior with plans to attend a 2-year tech schooI/trade schooi and participation in at Ieast 3 years of Career & TechnicaI Education Curriculum which can incIude: agriculture, business and information technoIogy, engineering, building trades, welding, automation, refrigeration, heating and cooling, eIectrician, or arch drafting.

A successful applicant will have worked a part time job for at Ieast 6 months for the same empIoyer for 10-15 hours per week and have the employer provide a short paragraph of the student′s abiIities andgood qualities for a career in the trade industry.

The student will submit a hand written, short, memorabIe essay about themselves and their aspirations.
Creativity is encouraged to introduce yourseIf to the donors. The WHS Common Application will be used.
Bob and Jill Friermuth will select the recipient.

This $1,000 schoIarship award will be given to a senior male or female cross country or track athlete planning to attend a technical college, junior/ community college or four year college or university. The recipient chosen must be a hard working individuaI who vaIues team success, is kind and heIpfuI to tthers and has excellent attendance at practices. Seniors wishing to appIy for this scholarshiip should turn in a WHS Common Scholarship Application and resume to the Student Services Office.

This $13,000 scholarship will be divided into equal annual installments spread over the term (up to four years) of the schooling undertaken.  A maximum of $3,250 per year will be award.  Any interruption in enrollment will cause the scholarship to lapse. 

The scholarship is given by longtime Whitewater residents Sam and Anne Soffa in order to encourage and support formal education beyond high school and will be given to a Whitewater student who will attend an accredited college, university, or trade school.  This scholarship is based primarily on the financial need of the recipient.  The first annual payment will be paid upon proof of enrollment for the first semester of the first year.  Each successive installment (up to four installments) shall be paid upon proof of enrollment for the first semester of the next year of study.  The check will be mailed to the institution.  The WHS Common Application shall be used but shall be modified to add a brief summary of the financial need of the applicant.  Electronic applications must be in PDF format and must be submitted online to info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org.  The Whitewater Community Foundation Scholarship committee will select the recipient.