Northfield High School seniors earn Community Foundation scholarships

The Community Foundation of Wabash County holds many scholarship endowments that were established to honor or memorialize loved ones, or because a person or group decided that a scholarship is an opportunity to enhance the quality of life in our community forever. Each year, students complete the Foundation’s common application in the hope of receiving scholarships to help them pursue higher education.

On Tuesday, May 10, Foundation Executive Director Sally Benson attended the Northfield High School (NHS) Awards Night to celebrate the achievements of NHS students and to honor the effort and dedication of families, school personnel and members of the community – those who play an important part in nurturing and supporting our youth. Benson announced the following recipients of Community Foundation of Wabash County Scholarships.

The Vanessa Anne Baer Memorial Scholarship was created by Vanessa’s family and friends to carry on her memory and meaning of her life. The scholarship is given to a Northfield High school graduate attending a four year college. This year’s recipient is Alicia Ratcliff.

Ciara Keffaber, Melissa Newsome, and Mackenzie Wright were awarded The Wabash County Society for Crippled Children and Adults Scholarship. This endowed scholarship was created to provide assistance to students who are pursuing post-secondary education opportunities that will prepare them to work with children and adults who have learning disabilities or who are mentally and/or physically disabled.

Created to honor and memorialize Larry and support the 4-H program, the Larry G. Lauer 4-H Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Austin Gottschalk. Recipients must be pursing an agriculture-related field and have participated in 4-H for more than one year.

Joshua Unger was recognized again for being Wabash County’s 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship winner. The scholarship provides funding for Josh’s full tuition, required fees, and up to $800 per year for required books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study at a college or university.

The George W. & Donna Mae Russell Scholarship was awarded to Amy Ou. The scholarship was established in 2011 upon George’s death. Criteria for this scholarship include financial need, academic achievement, moral character, leadership, and attitude towards the school and community.

Steve Boozier, Casey’s football coach at NHS, presented the Casey Sparling Memorial Athletic Scholarship to Justin Parker. The scholarship was set up to memorialize Casey’s dedication to high school athletics as both a player and a coach.

The Wabash High School Class of 1951 Scholarship was awarded to Amy Ou. This scholarship was established by the Wabash High School Class of 1951 and is awarded to a graduate pursing a two or four-year undergraduate degree at a Indiana university or college.

Common Applications for students graduating in 2012 will be available at www.cfwabash.org in the fall of 2011. Scholarship descriptions and lists of scholarships are available at each local high school and at the Foundation’s website. If you have questions about Foundation scholarships, contact Cathy McCarty at 260-982-4824 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .