2010 MHS Community Foundation Scholarship recipients

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For Release:  6/10/2010 

Manchester High School graduates earn Community Foundation scholarships 

North Manchester, IN –A total of 10 Manchester High School graduates and alumni received a portion of the more than $63,900 in scholarships awarded through the 2010 Community Foundation of Wabash County scholarship program.

Several independent, volunteer committees reviewed the applications and awarded 13 scholarships according to the guidelines set up when each fund was created.

Johnathon McConnell received the Furel R. Burns Business Scholarship. This fund was created by Jean E. Paulus in memory of her father, who was a North Manchester businessman. The scholarship goes to a student who excels in Business Administration/Management and plans to pursue the same in college.

Mackenzie Coulter-Kern, Heather Hathaway and alumnus Julie Seifert, who attends Butler University received the John L. Eckert Memorial Educational Scholarship. Family and friends of John L. Eckert established this scholarship in his name in 1995 for students pursuing a degree in the education field.

Tara Gnagy and Marina Meinert were awarded the Robert and Pauline Hoover Scholarship. The Robert and Pauline Hoover Scholarship was established as part of Robert’s estate plan to help students pursue a college education.

MHS alumni Gavin McNeeley, who attends the University of Evansville, and Derrek Freshour, who attends the University of Evansville, received the Corlyle K. Paulus Athletic Scholarship, which was established by Jean E. Paulus in memory of her husband, Corlyle K. Paulus. This scholarship is a tribute to his life as an athlete. 

2010 graduates Tara Gnagy, Mackenzie Coulter-Kern and alumnus Maya Hippensteel, who attends Bennington College, received the Paul Thomas Reahard Memorial Scholarship. Reahard’s parents established this scholarship in memory of their son, who taught English, creative writing, and theatre arts at Whitko High School. It was created to carry on their son’s legacy of bringing out the best in students and helping them awaken to the spark of creativity within themselves. 

The V. A. (Viv) Simmons Scholarship goes to Mackenzie Coulter-Kern. Simmons was superintendent of the Manchester Community School system from 1965 to 1971. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding performance in scholarship, leadership, service and character in community and school life.

Marina Meinert earned the Harvey V. Underwood Science Scholarship. Created in 2003, this Underwood’s family funds this scholarship for students who plan to pursue a science-related career.

Katherine Tate is the recipient of the Wabash County Solid Waste Management District Environmental Scholarship. The scholarship is provided to encourage study and advancement of the environmental education studies field.

People create scholarship endowments, which the Community Foundation administers, for many reasons – they may want to honor or memorialize loved ones, encourage study in a particular field or promote an ideal that will enhance the quality of life in Wabash County and beyond, forever.

Contact Executive Director Sally J. Benson, CFRE, at 260-982-4824 to learn more about establishing a scholarship endowment. Students and parents should visit the Foundation’s website (www.cfwabash.org) when the new school year begins to get information about 2011 scholarships. 

The Community Foundation is a publicly supported philanthropic institution. Established in 1954, it serves Wabash County residents by implementing the charitable goals of citizens by making grants, investing and safeguarding charitable assets, and linking resources to address community needs. The Community Foundation of Wabash County is located at 218 E. Main St., North Manchester, Indiana. The office phone number is 260-982-4824. The web site is www.cfwabash.org.   

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