Local Students Receive Scholarships Totaling More Than $24,000 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 2021-2022 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:

• Emily Hagedorn and Katherine Hogge, students at Quincy University, received the Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Scholarship. 

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

• Janae Bias and Nathan Kraemer, graduates of Quincy Senior High School, received the Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship.

• Ying Dong, a graduate of Hannibal High School, received the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship.

• Linda DeMent, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Kenneth & Eleanor Lohr Memorial Scholarship. 

• Matthew Depke, a graduate of Western High School, received the Marvin J Likes and Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship. 

• Ashley Darnell, Gwyneth Murphy, and Nicholas Wisehart, graduates of Highland High School, and Allison Dawson, a graduate of Canton R-V High School, received scholarships from the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund.

• Clayton Hansen, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship.

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

• Jacob Webster, a graduate of Palmyra Senior High School, received a scholarship from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund. Hope Hudson, Keller Shemwell, Kinsey Tiemann, graduates of Palmyra Senior High School, renewed scholarships from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund.

• Noah Crenshaw, a graduate of Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Scholarship.

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

Emily Hagedorn and Katherine Hogge 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.  

Mary Perry is a graduate of John Wood Community College. She will attend University of Illinois, Urbana and study agriculture leadership/education. 

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.” 

Janae Bias is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. She is the daughter of Renee Whitaker of Quincy. Janae will attend University of Missouri, Columbia and major in psychology/secondary education.  

Nathan Kraemer is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. He is the son of Andrew & Shelly Kraemer of Quincy. Nathan will attend University of Northern Iowa and major in music 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. 

Ying Dong is a graduate of Hannibal High School and is the daughter of Yimei Zhang of Hannibal. Ying will attend University of Missouri to become a physician’s assistant.  

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. 

Linda DeMent is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. Linda will attend University of Illinois-Chicago where she will study chemistry/pre-pharmacy. Linda is the daughter of Cathy & Steve DeMent 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.

Matthew Depke is a graduate of Western High School in Barry, IL. Matthew will attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and major in mechanical engineering. Matthew is the son of Daniel & Tamara Depke of Hull, IL.

The Marvin J Likes & Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship honors the memories of Marvin J Likes and Thomas Leo Likes. The Marvin J Likes and Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship reflect the two men’s standards. “Both were an inspiration and encouragement for young people to better themselves,” said Ralph Garner, who was a long-time employee of Likes Land Surveyors, Inc., Barry, Illinois.  

Pat Likes established this scholarship in memory of her husband Marvin and their son Tom. Marvin requested the scholarship be set up because he saw a need to encourage young people to go into math professions. 

The scholarship ensures they will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of young people.

Ashley Darnell is a graduate of Highland High School. Ashley will attend Columbia College and major in nursing or pre-med. She is the daughter of Dale & Virginia Darnell of Lewistown, MO. 

Gwyneth Murphy is a graduate of Highland High School. Gwyneth will attend Columbia College and major in animal science/pre-veterinary. She is the daughter of Brian & Kate Murphy of Monticello, MO. 

Nicholas Wisehart is a graduate of Highland High School. He will attend Westminster College to pursue a degree in engineering/computer science. Nicholas is the son of Scott & Kathy Wisehart of Lewistown, MO. 

Allison Dawson is a graduate of Canton R-V High School. She will attend Missouri State University to study elementary education. Allison is the daughter of Brian & Mary Dawson of Canton, 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. 

Clayton Hansen, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, is the recipient of the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship. He will attend University of Oklahoma and major in sports/business management. Clayton is the son of James & Rachel Hansen 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. 

Zane Meyers is a graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School. Zane will attend Missouri State University and study exercise science. He is the son of Doug and Carla Meyers 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. 

Jacob Webster is a graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School. Jacob will attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in management. Jacob is the son of Sean & Stacy Webster of Palmyra, MO.

Hope Hudson, a 2020 graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School, attends University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she majors in agronomy. Hope 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 fourth year of the renewable scholarship.

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

Noah Crenshaw is a graduate of Canton R-V High School. Noah will attend Culver-Stockton College to study athletic training. Noah is the son of Jim & Deb Crenshaw 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. Andy Anderson is a physical education teacher at Canton R-V High School. With the award, Mr. Anderson will purchase supplies to enhance the physical education 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 $11 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.