Berlin seniors have brighter future with help from scholarship money

Several Berlin Brothersvalley School students will have a brighter future thanks to the Berlin Brothersvalley School District Foundation Scholarships.

The foundation awards several scholarships each year to Berlin seniors who plan to further their education at colleges and universities, as well as vocational and technical schools. The foundation looks for students who are well-rounded, ambitious and motivated and who have made the most of the opportunities offered by their school and community. School attendance is also an important consideration.

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Scholarships are funded by both private donors and the foundation itself. This year a total of $62,500 was awarded to 16 students with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

"When the BBSD Foundation began in 2008, our first goal was to establish a scholarship fund for seniors at Berlin. The foundation has always felt that all students have financial need when they plan to continue their education, whether it be at a 4-year university or an 18-month certificate program to learn a trade," said Margie Zorn, president of the Berlin Brothersvally School District Foundation, in an email.

Several donor-funded scholarships were established in memory of family members who attended Berlin schools.

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"Since our funds were limited after the foundation was established, our first scholarship of $500, granted in 2009, was awarded to one student," she said. "The next year we gave two scholarships of $500 each and the scholarship program continued to grow each year since then. In 2014 we had our first legacy donor establish a fund for students who planned to attend four-year colleges. Since then we have had additional scholarships established by families and individuals."

Students must meet criteria set by the scholarship donor to receive these scholarships, as well as those set by the foundation.

"It has been my pleasure as a founding member of the foundation, and now as executive director, to see our scholarship funds grow. I have also had the pleasure of meeting or talking with most of our donors, as well as being involved in the scholarship application process," Zorn said. "Many of our applicants participate in an interview with the foundation scholarship committee, and this is always a terrific way to learn how students feel about the education they received at Berlin. Our applicants have always been very positive about their experiences at a small rural school, which speaks well of our teachers and other school staff. Foundation members enjoy hearing about our students’ successes and dreams for the future."

These legacy scholarships include the Daniel Sterner Memorial Scholarship, awarded to two students, Morgan Heider and Austin Glessner, who demonstrate independent beliefs, empathy of others and who have set clear goals for their futures. Each award was $2,000. The William Harris Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500, was awarded to Morgan Heider, who plans to study the field of art.

Six students received McKenzie-Rapauch scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each. They were Rebecca Trulick, Emma Peck, Savanna Snyder, Austin Glessner, Katelyn Sell and Kassidy Smith. These students represent the values exemplified by Mr. and Mrs. William McKenzie: education, helping others and giving back to the rural community of their roots.

The Rick Webreck Memorial Scholarship, a one-time award in the amount of $1,000, was given to Zachary Hemminger in memory of Rick Webreck, former member of the Berlin Brothersvalley board of directors and his wife, Cathy’s continued service as a member of both the school district board of directors and the Berlin Brothersvalley Foundation.

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The Geraldine and Jacob Stutzman Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $10,000 each, was awarded to Hartley VanGilder, Caleb Leonard and Heidi Coleman. These scholarships are based on academic achievement and community service.

BBSD Foundation scholarships also include those funded by individual donors. The Foundation Education Scholarship was presented to Raylyn Miller, who plans to become a teacher. The award was given by a friend of the Foundation in the amount of $2,000.

The $1,000 Matthew Deeter Technology Scholarship, was given to Austin Glessner, who plans to study computer science and/or information technology.

The Rick Webreck Family Memorial Scholarship, totaling $1,000, was awarded to Hartley VanGilder, Kaitlyn Stoltzfus and Heidi Coleman. They have an agricultural background and are hard-working and highly motivated.

The BBSD Foundation itself also granted three scholarships, with an emphasis on students who planned on attending 2-year, vocational or technical programs. The scholarships were each $2,000 and were given to Alivia Coughenour, Chloe Walker and Madison Nemeth.

Foundation established to help students

The Berlin Brothersvalley School District Foundation was established in 2008 with the purpose of enhancing educational opportunities for Berlin students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Funds raised through fundraising events and contributions by individuals and businesses, are used for educational programs, enrichment activities and scholarships. Funds are not used to supplant school district expenditures.

The BBSD Foundation holds three annual fundraisers. Events include a sporting clay shoot held in May at Stonycreek Shooting Center, an August golf scramble held at Northwinds Golf Course and a dinner/raffle held in November at the Berlin Community Building. These events enable the foundation to sponsor its own scholarships as well as fund enrichment projects for students requested by teachers.

The local community, businesses and individuals participate and make contributions for prizes and sponsorships for these events.

The BBSD Foundation realizes the importance of continued education for students so that they can prepare for future careers, Zorn said. The scholarships granted by the foundation are important to students because they give students some financial assistance to meet their educational goals, as well as rewarding students for their hard work during their high school years.

"I don’t believe our scholarships enable students to totally afford higher education, especially since the students who apply have already determined where they will attend college or technical school," she said. "However, our scholarships do help ease the burden of paying for post-secondary education and the students are always very appreciative of whatever help they get."

Innovative programs

In addition to scholarships, the foundation funds several innovative programs above and beyond the unusual classroom curriculum, Zorn said. This past year students in kindergarten through 12th grade, participated in enrichment programs, requested and facilitated by the teachers, that were offered during the school day, after school and in the summer. High school programs included an AP History ancestry study, team competency project, virtual sheep brain and hands-on biology dissection, and the first ever eSports competition.

"No Child Left Inside Day at the Berlin Community Grove was held by FFA students and adviser Dan Miller with students in grades 3, 4 and 5 who learned about local wildlife and plants from experts in these fields," Zorn said. "Students in grades 2-8 enjoyed the after-school LEGO League and robotics competition this spring. Foundation funds also support a well-attended summer MAKE Camp for elementary and middle school students that provides students with opportunities to develop engineering skills."

Foundation funds were used for Advanced Placement test reimbursement for high school students, she said. Approximately $15,590 was donated by the BBSD Foundation over the past year to fund these programs.

"I am very pleased as a former student, teacher and administrator at Berlin to continue serving the students of our district in my capacity with the foundation board," Zorn said. "Whether it is by granting scholarships or working with teachers to provide the resources needed to offer enrichment activities to students, the entire foundation board finds this work enjoyable and satisfying. It is very fulfilling to be able to 'give back,' and provide these things for the children of Berlin schools. For me personally, it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had!"

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Berlin school foundations helps students with scholarships