More than $750,000 in scholarships awarded to local students
This is the largest amount of scholarships ever awarded in the Community Foundation’s 60+ year history
The Quad Cities Community Foundation has announced the recipients of $754,894 in scholarship awards. The awards are made possible by the generosity of donors to scholarship funds at the Community Foundation.
“At the Community Foundation, we and our donors remain deeply committed to investing in the success of local students,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Getting to speak with the students who earned these awards, I’m filled with pride and hope for the future. Our staff, board, donors, and scholarship committee are inspired by their potential, and we’re excited to see how they’ll shape our community in the years to come.”
This year, 79 scholarships were awarded. More than half of these awards are renewable, meaning students will receive ongoing financial support throughout their academic careers. Awards were granted to students of all ages and educational paths, from community colleges and four-year universities to trade and technical schools.
“Each donor has their own story behind giving,” Hafkemeyer said. “Some scholarships honor loved ones; others reflect a desire to give back after receiving support themselves. No matter the reason, this generosity is an investment in the next generation—and in the future of our entire region.”
This year, six new funds celebrated their first awards. And other longstanding funds celebrated major milestones. The Don E. and Charlotte Williams Scholarship awarded its 500th scholarship this year, and the Paul and Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship and Edwin R. Adland and Ruth H. Adland Scholarship each reached a total of $300,000 in awards.
“This growth is a testament to the generosity of our region and the faith our community has in education,” said Kelly Thompson, Community Foundation vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives. “Scholarships are how donors cast a vote of confidence in our local students.”
Community members interested in starting a scholarship for area students can contact the Community Foundation at (563) 326-2840.
The following students received 2025 scholarships:
Samyr Andilog—Davenport West High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship, James W. Victor Scholarship
Bibi Kamela Barikzay—Rock Island High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Logan Benischek—Scott Community College—Quad City Regional Auto Show - Automotive/Trade School
Camden Bennett—Davenport North High School—Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship, Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship, Paul and Beverly Eckert Scholarship
Allie Bowlyou—Western Illinois University—Steve and Virginia Mutziger Scholarship
Makenna Burt—University of St. Thomas—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Gerald Callahan—Bettendorf High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Carolina Cantero—West Liberty High School—Helen Maurer Simmons Scholarship
McKenna Cunningham—Davenport West High School—Clem Werner Walcott Scholarship, Morency Family Scholarship (IA)
Dalasyia Dixon—Davenport Central High School—Thomas R. Foley Memorial Scholarship
Aidan Dorathy—Riverdale High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Rachel Ehlers—Davenport West High School—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Maxwell Geringer—Davenport North High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Emmalynn Golinghorst—Davenport West High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship
Tamiyah Gray—United Township High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IL)
Adaline Guzzo—Moline High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Lillian Hartley—Moline High School—P.E.O. Chapter BL – Blanche Wood Music Award Scholarship
Sarah Hess—Mercer County High School—Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School
Benjamin Heuer—United Township High School—Gene S. Duke Scholarship, Gustav A. & Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship, Ligino Family Scholarship
Tenley Houzenga—Knoxville High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Charlie Jacobs—Assumption High School (Davenport)—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Kasadie Jergens—Davenport Central High School—Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education
Emily Johnson—Davenport West High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship, James W. Victor Scholarship
Aerielle Johnson—Pleasant Valley High School—Jayne Lee Andreesen Memorial Scholarship
Claire Justin—Davenport Central High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Caden Knebel—Pleasant Valley High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Akhil Kumar—Moline High School—Richard J. Collins Scholarship
Mary Anna Le—Davenport West High School—Horsley Opportunity Scholarship Fund, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship, Stephanie Gorsh Memorial Scholarship
Takia Lloyd—Scott Community College—V. Warren Kurth and Norma Kurth Scholarship
Britt Mariman—University of Iowa—Harry and Myrtle Nabstedt Scholarship
James Mason—Palmer College of Chiropractic—Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship
Erin McMahon—Pleasant Valley High School—Diana (Diane) De Pover-Nessler Memorial Scholarship
Amaya McNeal—Davenport Central High School—Frances S. Wolfe Memorial Scholarship, Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship
Ellie Merrick—Wethersfield High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Dylan Moeller—Davenport Central High School—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Carter Mommsen—Northeast High School—Eastern Iowa Angus Association Oliver Hansen Memorial Scholarship
Kassandra Nestle—Jacobs High School—Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship
Amber Oien—Wilton High School—Loren and Tammy Bockwoldt Family Scholarship
Kannon Park—Cambridge High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Cassi Paustian—Iowa State University—Dave Slater Environmental and Conservation Scholarship
KaLanna Phillips—Grinnell College—John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship
Makenna Posten—Davenport North High School—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Zachary Powell—North Scott High School—Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship
Carter Ramsey—United Township High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Lyric Rice—Rock Island High School—Rock Island High School Class Of 1956 Scholarship, William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship
Reece Riewerts—Davenport North High School—Corky Kress Golf Scholarship
Nevaeh Rivera-Painter—Davenport Mid-City High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IA)
Yazmin Rodriquez—Alleman High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship, Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship
Brooke Rogers—Huntley High School—Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship
Isiah Rose—Assumption High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Adam Shipley—Davenport West High School—Bill & Hilda Macomber and Alta Kahl Scholarship, Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship
Beline Shukuru—Rock Island High School—Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship, Louis F. Bulechek Memorial Scholarship
Carissa Smith—Davenport Mid-City High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IA)
Sydney Smith—Pleasant Valley High School—Sergesketter Family Scholarship
Dylan Snell—Geneseo High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Cadyn Spirewka—Moline High School—Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, Morency Family Scholarship (IL)
Ashtin Staley—Cambridge High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Noah Swigart—Fort Madison High School—Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship – Citizenship, Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship - Medical
Hung Tieu—Rivermont Collegiate—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Aleida Vazquez—Sterling High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IL)
Antonio Vazquez—Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville—Quad Cities Mexican American Organization Scholarship
Kennedy Witt—Davenport North High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship
Grant Wolford—Pleasant Valley High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship