Win-E-Mac Alumni Association Scholarships

The Win-E-Mac Alumni Association was started in 1990 with the intent to assist students in their pursuit of their academic advancement by helping to pay for tuition, books, school fees and other expenses of college. The awards have been based on the desire to achieve a goal, which is stated in an application letter, academic achievement, and involvement in activities and/or work experience. Since the start of the association, awards have totaled $173,250.00. The awards have varied each year with the number of awards ranging from 6 to 17 and the amounts ranging from $500 to $1500. These awards are made possible by the contributions of the alumnus of the Win-E-Mac School system.

Seniors receiving scholarships for continued education at the Win-E-Mac Academic Awards banquet held last Wednesday evening, May 13 were (back, l-r) Joseph Lee, Andrew Giannonatti, Daniel Svalen, Jessica Marshall, John Lewis, Nicole Thompson, Megan Syverson and Danelle Schommer. (middle, l-r) Logan Cook, Evan Massman, Josh Farrell, Nolan Klinkhammer, Kendra Lee, Anna Benbo, Brittany Stennes and Kayla Benson. (front, l-r) Joseph Gieseke, Jarrid Wang, Siri Jore, Brittany Ness, Jennie Shaver, Kelsey Smith, Nicole Sandberg, Lisa Stewart and Jordyn Thompson.

Over the years, people have made contributions to the Win-E-Mac Alumni Association with specific guidelines about who should receive the money. These contributions have developed into several other scholarships. The alumni association decides the recipients for these scholarships from the applications. Following is a list and description of the other scholarships.

In 1990 the Vesledahl family started a scholarship in memory of Jeanie Vesledahl. Jeanie was in the Class of 1983 at McIntosh High School. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate interest in an area of the performing arts.

In 1993 the Ostenson family started a scholarship in memory of Jan Ostenson. Jan was in the Class of 1971 at McIntosh High School. This scholarship is given to a graduate interested in the areas of communications, such as journalism, speech, broadcasting, or public relations.

In 1996 the Lerfald family started a scholarship in memory of their son, Nick. Nick was a 1996 graduate of Win-E-Mac High School. The scholarship is given to assist a graduate in continuing their education.

In 1999 the Gunter family contributed money, which is invested by the alumni association. The scholarship amount is based on the interest earned each year. There are two scholarships, which are given to the top two applicants.

In 2000 the Russel B. and Luaina R. Hagen Foundation started two scholarships. Russel Hagen was a 1959 graduate of Erskine High School. These scholarships are given to a graduate pursuing a degree in science or math and a graduate attending a vocational-technical school.

In 2001 the children of Hazel B. Hagen started a scholarship in her memory. Hazel B. Hagen was a 1921 graduate of Erskine High School and a teacher. The scholarship is to be awarded to a graduate interested in a career in education.

In 2002 Grant Oppegaard, a 1961 graduate of McIntosh High School, contributed money in memory of his Grandmother Louise Oppegaard. There are five scholarships awarded to graduates who have the desire to continue their education beyond high school.

In 2005 Richard Hudrlik, along with matching funds from the Graco Foundation gave money, which is invested by the alumni association. There are three scholarships given to graduates interested in the areas of nursing or the medical field.

In 2008 Liberty Lucken, a 1994 graduate of Win-E-Mac High School, started a scholarship for a graduate interested in arts and music. First priority to a graduate planning to attend a Minnesota based institution.

In 2008 the Thompson family decided in lieu of Christmas gifts to each other, they would start a scholarship in honor of their Mother, Adella, a long time Win-E-Mac teacher, and their Father, Harald, a long time business owner in McIntosh. This scholarship(s) will be given to a graduate interested in business or education.

Each year James and Nancy Bensen give a scholarship to a graduate who is planning to attend Bemidji State University. James Bensen and Nancy Berge Bensen were 1955 graduates of Erskine High School. James Bensen was the President of Bemidji State University for several years.

Scholarships 2009

The Win-E-Mac Sr. High students were honored at the annual Academic, Atheltic and Fine Arts banquet held last Wednesday, May 3, 2009. Students and their parents attended a supper prior to the program.

The awards banquet was a way of honoring the students on their many fine academic, athetic and fine arts accomplishments over this past year.

Parents, students, faculty and administration were welcomed by Joseph Lee, Student Council President. Principal Kevin McKeever and instructor Jessica Strom presented Certificates of Merit to students in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement, students needed to be named to the “B” honor roll this past year to receive an award.

The presentation of scholarships were done by a representative of each of the following groups. This year’s total exceeded $102,750.00, which did not include several individual scholarships received.

Grace Lutheran Church (4) $300 – Kendra Lee, Lisa Stewart, Brittany Ness and Josh Farrell.

Erskine American Legion (6) $700 – Nolan Klinkhammer, Kendra Lee, Andrew Giannonatti, Logan Cook, Joseph Lee and Jennie Shaver.

Ag County (1) $1,000 – Joseph Lee.

Winger Lions (4) $500 – Anna Benbo, Logan Cook, Evan Massman and Joseph Gieseke.

McIntosh First Responders (15) $500 – Evan MAssman, Logan Cook, Joseph Lee, Kendra Lee, Andrew Giannonatti, Danelle Schommer, Megan Syverson, Joseph Gieseke, Nolan Klinkhammer, Jordyn Thompson, Jarrid Wang, Brittany Ness, Kelsey Smith, Nicole Thompson and Jessica Marshall.

Erskine Lion’s / Lioness (2) – Jennie Shaver and Nolan Klinkhammer.

East Polk County Fair (1) $750 – Joseph Lee.

Polk County Home Study (1) – Jennie Shaver.

Red Lake County Electric (1) $600 – Kayla Benson.

TRIO (2) $100 – Megan Syverson and Jarrid Wang.

Wild Rice Electric (2) $350 – Logan Cook and Joseph Lee.

Lindfors Insurance Agency (1) $500 – Evan Massman.

Communication Workers of America Local 7272 (1) $500 – Josh Farrell.

Gunter (2) $450 – Joseph Lee and Logan Cook.

Russell B. and Luaina R. Hagen Foundation (5) $1,000 – John Lewis, Logan Cook, Joseph Lee, Megan Syverson and Anna Benbo.

Hazel B. Hagen Memorial (1) $500 – Siri Jore.

Jeannie Vesledahl (1) $300 – Anna Benbo.

Thompson Family (2) $250 – Joseph Gieseke and Nicole Thompson.

Jan Ostenson (1) $300 – Kelsey Smith.

Harriet Grundyson Hudrlik Memorial (1) $2,500 – Kayla Benson.

Jim and Nancy Benson (1) $500 - Jennie Shaver.

Patriot Promoters (1) $250 – Lisa Stewart.

Win-E-Mac Alumni (17) $1,500 – Jarrid Wang, Jessica Marshall, John Lewis, Jordyn Thompson, Kendra Lee, Andrew Giannonatti, Megan Syverson, Siri Jore, Nicole Sandberg, Evan Massman, Jennie Shaver, Brittany Stennes, Nolan Klinkhammer, Joseph Lee, Logan Cook, Kelsey Smith and Joseph Gieseke.

Louise Oppegaard (5) $1,500 – Nicole Thompson, Kayla Benbo, Brittany Ness, Lisa Stewart and Anna Benbo.

Lucken (1) $2,500 – No applicants.

Nick Lerfald (2) $350 – Nolan Klinkhammer and Joseph Gieseke.

Julie Fritz (4) $250 – Shane Champagne, Aaron Hanson, Paul Keeler and Daniel Svalen.