Local Students Receive Scholarships Totaling More than $22,000 from the Community Foundation

Recipients of the scholarships, most of which come from permanently endowed funds at the Community Foundation, will receive financial support towards the accredited post-secondary institution they are attending in the 2020-2021 school year. One fund also provides a teacher recognition award and grant to provide classroom resources.

Each scholarship fund has its own criteria representing the donor’s or honoree’s interests or legacy. 

Most of the scholarships are endowed, which means a portion of the earnings of each fund is reinvested for continued growth, providing future scholarships and awards to deserving students.

This year’s recipients include:

• Isaac Brown and Chayim Cunningham, students at Quincy University, received the Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Scholarship. 

• Reagan Hoskin, a graduate of John Wood Community College, received the George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship.

• Grace Babcock, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship.

• Travon Stevenson, a graduate of Hannibal High School, received the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship.

• Daphne Moss, graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Kenneth & Eleanor Lohr Memorial Scholarship. 

• Gabriel Hodges a graduate of Western High School, received the Dorothy J. Motley Memorial Scholarship.

• Travis Gorrell, a graduate of Canton R-V High School, Reagan Smyser, a graduate of Highland High School, and Ellen TenEyck, a graduate of Highland High School, received scholarships from the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund.

• Bryant Alexandre, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship.

• Sara Ridout, a graduate of Palmyra Senior High School, received a scholarship from the Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

• Hope Hudson, Shannon DeHaan, Keller Shemwell, Kinsey Tiemann, graduates of Palmyra Senior High School, received and renewed scholarships from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund.

• Brady Davis, a graduate of Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund scholarship.

• Chad Morss, a teacher at Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Teacher Recognition Award.

Isaac Brown and Chayim Cunningham are students at Quincy University majoring in education with plans to pursue careers in teaching. 

The Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Scholarship Fund annually provides a scholarship to aid in the payment of tuition to students residing in Adams County and who are enrolled at Quincy University pursuing a degree in education. 

Amelia Bauner, a retired teacher with a continuous service record of 44 years in the Quincy Public Schools, died May 2008 at the age of 99. “Mrs. Bauner had very little family, but many friends. She wanted to do something for the community and to honor her brother and sister,” stated her attorney when the fund was established.  

Reagan Hoskin is a graduate of John Wood Community College. She will attend Kansas State University and study agriculture.

The George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship Fund provides one or more scholarships for a former student or graduate of John Wood Community College entering his or her junior or senior year at an accredited college or university pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major in an agricultural-related field. Sharen Borrowman established this scholarship in memory of her husband, George, who died in 2009. George was a third generation farmer in Pike County, IL. “Farming was his life,” said Sharen. “I want to help with someone’s education and to honor George and his life.” 

Grace Babcock is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. She is the daughter of Andrew and Janelle Babcock of Quincy. Grace will attend University of Iowa and major in elementary education. 

The Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship at an accredited two-year or four-year institution for a Quincy High School senior intending to pursue a degree in education. Becky Swisher Crowe taught at Quincy Junior High School and Quincy Senior High School. She was killed March 9, 1979 in an automobile accident on her way to work. Her colleagues immediately set up a scholarship in her name. “Becky loved kids and teaching,” said her best friend Karen Bottorff. “Whenever she was around, it was a happier place.” In 2006, the scholarship was transferred to the Community Foundation to ensure Becky’s name and legacy endured. 

Travon Stevenson is a graduate of Hannibal High School and is the son of Jeff and Rebecca McGuire of Hannibal. Travon will attend Northwest Missouri State to study music education. 

The Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship to a Hannibal High School graduate who will be attending an accredited post-secondary institution for tuition, room and board, fees and/or books, and related expenses.

At its 50th reunion, two members of the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 challenged others to establish a scholarship to give back to the community and school that were so important to them during their formative years. Forty-six members made founding gifts to establish this scholarship fund in 2005. 

Daphne Moss is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. Daphne will attend Quincy University where she will study biology/pre-pharmacy. Daphne is the daughter of Daniel and Cindy Moss of Quincy. 

The Kenneth and Eleanor Lohr Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the daughters of Kenneth and Eleanor Lohr to honor their parents’ passion and life working in the pharmaceutical profession. Mr. Lohr felt strongly that a pharmacist should focus on medical issues and serving the public. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence in the field. He encouraged young people to pursue the pharmaceutical profession. Mrs. Lohr was a registered nurse who supported her husband’s dream and worked by his side at Lohr’s Prescription Shop.

Gabriel Hodges is a graduate of Western High School in Barry, IL. He will attend Harding University, studying biology education. Gabriel is the son of Jimmy and Gretchen Hodges of Barry.

The Dorothy J. Motley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established as part of Mrs. Motley’s will to assist a Barry High School student attending college. “Mrs. Motley was very quaint and lived quietly,” said Debbie Harshman, owner of The Paper in Barry. “She made (people) feel so special. That quality is priceless...making others feel special.” The scholarship for a graduate of the former Barry, now Western High School helps with expenses for attending an accredited post-secondary institution. 

Travis Gorrell is a graduate of Canton High School. Travis will attend University of Central Missouri and major in aviation. He is the son of Travis and Kathy Gorrell of Canton, MO.

Reagan Smyser is a graduate of Highland High School. Reagan will attend Columbia College to study bio-chemistry. Reagan is the daughter of Glen and Erin Smyser of Ewing, MO. 

Ellen TenEyck is a graduate of Highland High School. Ellen will attend Truman State University and major in health sciences/pre-med. She is the daughter of Troy and Pam TenEyck of Lewistown, MO.

Dorothy Plank established the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund, in honor of her parents, through her trust. The scholarship is for students graduating from Canton High School or Highland High School, Lewis County, Missouri to help fund college tuition. The endowed fund will continue to provide support for students continuing their education for years to come.

Dorothy Plank was a modest person who did not draw attention to herself. She thought long and hard about what she wanted to do to benefit others. A longtime friend and her attorney both agreed that while living she would not have wanted people to know her estate plans. They also agree that what Miss Plank did serves as an example for others to consider when planning for charitable causes. 

Bryant Alexandre, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, is the recipient of the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship. He will attend Stanford University and major in biochemistry/economics. Bryant is the son of Jean and Caprice Alexandre of Quincy.

 

The scholarship was initiated with a gift from Dr. John E. Sallstrom to commemorate the 50th Reunion of the QHS Class of 1957. “The scholarship fund should help the recipients continue their chosen career paths and motivate them to strive for excellence in their lives,” says Dr. Sallstrom. “If it encourages other individuals and classes to do something similar in the future, the whole community will be enriched.” The Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund provides one or more scholarships to a Quincy High School graduate who will be attending an accredited, four-year post-secondary institution for tuition, room and board, fees and/or books, and related expenses. 

Sara Ridout is a graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School. Sara will attend University of Missouri and study English/communications. She is the daughter of Mitchell and Andrea Ridout of Palmyra, MO. 

The Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with memorials and donations made following Teresa’s death in May 2004. 

The scholarship assists a Palmyra R-1 High School student attending a post-secondary school. Teresa’s roots were in Palmyra. She had many family and friends there. 

She spent her life’s work in radio. Her ability to work and deal with people earned her great respect, according to her employer and friend, Bud Janes, former owner of Bick Broadcasting. 

Hope Hudson is a graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School. Hope will attend University of Nebraska and major in agronomy. Hope is the daughter of Bill Hudson and Mia Pennewell of Palmyra, MO. 

Kinsey Tiemann, a 2019 graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School, attends Western Illinois University and majors in agribusiness. Kinsey received her second year of the renewable scholarship.

Keller Shemwell is a 2018 graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School. Keller attends University of Missouri where she majors in plant science. Keller received her third year of the renewable scholarship.

Shannon DeHaan, a 2017 graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School, attends Oklahoma State University and majors in agricultural education. Shannon received her fourth year of the renewable scholarship.

In 2012 Alton Vannice’s wife Joyce, and their family, decided to honor Alton's legacy of agricultural leadership by establishing the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund. The family endowed a scholarship for the further education of Palmyra FFA students who show outstanding leadership qualities and seek to enter agricultural careers. Alton Vannice was a 10th generation farmer who learned the skills of leadership through his experiences in the Palmyra FFA Chapter. Alton's beliefs in his community and in agriculture were expressed as he served on numerous committees and boards throughout his farming career. He gladly served in these capacities and others because he believed in the values espoused in the FFA creed: leadership, respect, the ability to work efficiently and think clearly, and in the promise of better days through better ways.

Brady Davis is a graduate of Canton R-V High School. Brady will attend Missouri University of Science and Technology to study computer engineering. Brady is the son of Brad and Ann Davis of Canton, MO.  

The student scholarship recipient recommends selection of the teacher award recipient. The primary consideration is for the teacher who has been most influential in helping the student to achieve academic success. Mr. Chad Morss is a mathematics teacher at Canton R-V High School. With the award, Mr. Morss will purchase supplies to enhance the math program at Canton R-V High School.  

The Zenges established their fund in 2006 with the Community Foundation to provide annual scholarship and teacher recognition awards at Canton R-V High School. The scholarship provided by the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund encourages the best and brightest young men and women to enter technical careers, whether engineering, research, teaching, manufacturing or other related fields. The teacher award recognizes a teacher that continues to make learning a lifelong passion. 

 

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The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri builds permanent charitable funds to assist area nonprofits and communities. 

Its mission, “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” is achieved by gathering funds, growing them through investments, then granting to nonprofit organizations, causes or communities that mean the most to its donors.   

Since 1997, the Community Foundation has made more than $8 million in grants. It serves 12-counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike in Illinois and Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby, and Monroe in Missouri.  

The Community Foundation has IRS 501(c)(3) status, and contributions made to the Community Foundation generally qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes.  

For more information, call 217-222-1237, email info@mycommunityfoundation.org 

or go to mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.