A record $850,000+ in scholarships awarded to local students
Quad Cities Community Foundation donors support 76 students at various career stages
The Quad Cities Community Foundation has announced the recipients of $856,327 in scholarship awards, the largest total dollars awarded in the organization’s 60+ year history. The awards are made possible by the generosity of donors to scholarship funds at the Community Foundation.
“Behind every scholarship is a personal motivation,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Some donors are honoring someone important to them; others are paying forward the help they once received. Whatever the inspiration, these gifts are about opening doors—for students and for the region they’ll help shape.”
This year, 76 scholarships were awarded. Many 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.
“Community Foundation donors are making a sustained investment in local students and what they’ll become,” said Hafkemeyer. “The talent, determination, and sense of possibility from this year’s recipients is clear. I am energized by the passion and energy of these students, and I’m eager to watch the impact they’ll have on our community.”
This year, three new scholarships were awarded for the first time. Other longstanding funds celebrated major milestones. Since their inception, the Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship has awarded a total of $400,000, and the Morency Family Scholarship has awarded a total of $500,000.
“The growing momentum and sustained support reflect both the generosity and trust of our community,” said Kaleigh Trammell, Community Foundation vice president of grantmaking. “When donors create scholarships, they’re signaling belief in our students’ ability to succeed; it’s an investment in education as a pathway to a stronger community.”
Community members interested in starting a scholarship for area students can contact the Community Foundation at (563) 326-2840.
The following students received Community Foundation scholarships:
Khalil Andilog, Davenport West High School—James W. Victor Scholarship
Benjamin Armstrong, Assumption High School—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Stella Ashdown, Rivermont Collegiate—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Lucy Bernick, Davenport West High School—Paul and Beverly Eckert Scholarship, Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship, Verna Kaucher Scholarship
Marissa Bradford, Davenport Central High School—Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship
Celeste Calderon-DeHaro, Augustana College—Quad Cities Mexican American Organization Scholarship
Gerald Callahan, University of St. Thomas—Morency Family Scholarship (IA)
Alexander Creighton, Davenport North High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship
Daria DeLille, Moline High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Shakira Diasso-Adamou, United Township High School—Ligino Family Scholarship, William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship
Laura Diaz, Davenport Central High School—Bill & Hilda Macomber and Alta Kahl Scholarship, Clem Werner Walcott Scholarship
Nolan Ducey, Moline High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Ryleigh DuRocher, Wilton High School—Loren and Tammy Bockwoldt Family Scholarship
Aria Faqiri, United Township High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IL)
Quinn Feigley, Rock Island High School—Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Ellie Flynn, Davenport North High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
William Frederiksen, Pleasant Valley High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Gunner Garvin, Scott Community College—Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship, V. Warren Kurth and Norma Kurth
Veda Gisi, Pleasant Valley High School—Gustav A. & Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship
Mason Gray, Mercer County High School—Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School
Stephanie Gutierrez, Augustana College—American Association of University Women - Glynn Graduate Minority Fellowship
William Hampton, Rock Island High School—Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship
Jerry Hawk, Davenport North High School—Helen Duranleau-Brennan Theater Scholarship
Caiya Holke, Creighton University—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Reilly Hoven, Palmer College of Chiropractic—Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship
Erika Janicki, Pleasant Valley High School—John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship
Aerielle Johnson, University of Tennessee—American Association of University Women - Jepsen Undergraduate Scholarship
Leona Jones, Davenport North High School—Horsely Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Mason Juras, Davenport West High School—Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship, Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship
Liam Kane, Brookfield East High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Juha Kim, Pleasant Valley High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship
Eleanor Kuk, Moline High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship, P.E.O. Chapter BL – Blanche Wood Music Award Scholarship
Mallory Lafever, University of Iowa—Dr. Anita L. Pinc Memorials Scholarship, Harry and Myrtle Nabstedt Scholarship
Sani Lim, Pleasant Valley High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship
Gabriel Mahn, Rock Island High School—Rock Island High School Class Of 1956 Scholarship
Paul Marchik, Pleasant Valley High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship, Morency Family Scholarship (IA)
Tristan McDannell, Palmer College of Chiropractic—Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship
Ella McLaughlin, Cornell College—American Association of University Women - Sievert/ Whitaker Graduate Scholarship
Amaya McNeal, University of Iowa—Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education
Hunter Morrow, Davenport North High School—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Layla Newton, Iowa State University—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Shigeru Nightengale, Rockridge High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IL)
Jozie Perkins, Bettendorf High School—Corky Kress Golf Scholarship
Sophia Posten, United Township High School—Gene S. Duke Scholarship
Lyric Rice, Black Hawk College—Morency Family Scholarship (IL)
Braeden Rittenhouse, Moline High School—Richard J. Collins Scholarship
Matthew Rogers, Wilton High School—Eastern Iowa Angus Association Oliver Hansen Memorial Scholarship
Emily Rossi, Davenport Central High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Avery Rump, Fort Madison High School—Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship – Citizenship, Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship - Medical
Mariana Sandoval, Mother of Divine Grace School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Evelyn Schneckloth, Davenport West High School—Morency Family Scholarship (IA)
Summer Schroeder, Black Hawk College—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Audrey Seneli, Bettendorf High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Giana Shook, Davenport Central High School—James W. Victor Scholarship, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Ethan Smith, Augustana College—Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship, Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship, Anonymous
Madison Sparks, Davenport West High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
Addison Speidel, Pleasant Valley High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
Paul Stoffer, Davenport Central High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship
Benie Toko, University of Iowa—Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship, Stephanie Gorsh Memorial Scholarship
Eloise Van Howe, Davenport Central High School—Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship
Eva Vargas, Pleasant Valley High School—Jayne Lee Andreesen Memorial Scholarship
Garbriella Wade, Bettendorf High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship
Mallory Wulf, West Liberty High School—Quad City Regional Auto Show - College/University Scholarship