Left: Nine students received scholarships to Lake Superior College from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation. (L-R, kneeling) Bethany Derscheid, Andrew Fenstad-Lashinski, Erica Weisberg. (L-R, standing) Courtney Clyde, Foundation Director Joan Gardner-Goodno, Trace McQuatters, Natassja Sheils, Foundation Board Member Bill Hansen, Alex Slanga, Scholarship Program Assistant Sarah Goldberg, Jack Wieben, Dylan Works.
Over and over at the Cook County High School Awards and Scholarship Program on Monday, May 23, the people presenting scholarships and awards to CCHS students said they had many exceptional candidates. It was not easy to choose the recipients of over 30 scholarships and numerous honors.
In addition to some large awards, such as the Marshall and Nellie Alworth Memorial Foundation Scholarship of $20,000, which was given to Madison Roy, there were many local awards of $200 to $1,000. Organizations such as the Cook County Booster Club, Gunflint and Lutsen fire departments, the Borealis Chorale, Birch Grove Community School, the Lutsen 99er, Cook County Ridge Riders and others recognized students.
Some scholarships recognized graduating seniors for overcoming obstacles, such as the Literacy Scholarship, which was established in 1998. Literacy Scholarship Committee Member Beth Kennedy presented the award, noting that normally two scholarships are given. However, because of the difficulty narrowing the award to two, she called forward three deserving seniors to accept the $250 Literacy Scholarships: Jaret Baker, MaeAnna LaFavor and Holly Johnson.
Above far left: Lily Gruber Schulz received scholarships from the Grand Marais Lions and Lioness Clubs. Ann Mershon presented the Lioness award. Above left: CCHS Counselor Kris Hoffman presented the Alworth Scholarship to Madison Roy. Above: Owen Anderson received a number of awards, including the Donald Finn Business Scholarship. After the program, Owen thanked Don’s wife, Vera. Above right: Beth Kennedy presented three Literacy Scholarships to seniors this year. (L-R) Jaret Baker, MaeAnna LaFavor and Holly Johnson.
Another award, the Lunke “Make a Difference” Award is not based solely on academics, but more on an individual’s character. Orvis and Donna Lunke presented the award they created, with Donna Lunke noting that the $500 scholarship and special heart necklace were given based on what is in the person’s heart. Orvis Lunke said, “We chose someone who we know can—and will— make a difference, Holly Johnson.”
Tom Dwyer of Isak Hansen Hardware in Lutsen also noted the number of deserving scholarship candidates. He said in the past his business has presented two $500 scholarships to students entering the building trades, but because of the very worthy applicants, this year he presented three, to Jaret Baker, Trace McQuatters and Jack Wieben.
One of the highlights of the awards program was once again the presentation by the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, which provides a full year of tuition and books at Lake Superior College to recipients. Once again the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation stunned seniors when they called forward nine awardees—Courtney Clyde, Bethany Derscheid, Andrew Fenstad-Lashinski, Trace McQuatters, Natassja Sheils, Alex Slanga, Erica Weisberg, Jack Wieben and Dylan Works.
Distributing the awards were Joan Gardner-Goodno, Sarah Goldberg and local Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation representative Bill Hansen. As the audience cheered the announcement, Gardner-Goodno, added that the foundation was expanding its scholarship support to the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
Student athletes were honored as well, with Lee Bergstrom presenting the traditional gift of watches for the Cindy Nelson Award to Lily Gruber Schulz and Owen Anderson. The duo also received CCHS Athlete of the Year honors.
In addition to many scholarships for seniors, recognition was given to underclassmen as well. Students who had participated—and excelled in— Knowledge Bowl, Envirothon, the One Act Play, band and robotics were called forward to be honored.
Gary Zinter presented the Zinter Math and Science Awards of $100 to Sara Carman and Madison Roy for math; Maya McHugh for biology and Bergen Soland for physics.
The President’s Silver and Gold Academic Excellence Awards were presented to scholars in 9th through 11th grades. Graduates who had earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 – 3.79 were called forward to receive their white honor cord. Honor graduates are Matea Acero, Owen Anderson, Rory Bakke, Shauna Blake, Jocelin Deneweth, Bethany Derscheid, Lily Gruber-Schulz, Leo Johnson, MaeAnna LaFavor, Shae Morawitz, Twyla Pedersen, Roman Schnobrich, Bergen Soland, Julisa Swader, and Morgan Weyrens-Welch.
High honor graduates, those who had achieved a GPA of 3.8 or higher, received their gold honor cords. They are Haylie Anderson, Sean MacDonell, Salutatorian Sara Carman and Valedictorian Madison Roy.
Graduates will be celebrated at Baccalaureate at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at St. John’s Catholic Church and at Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 4 at 3 p.m. in the Cook County High School gym.
CCHS Principal Adam Nelson commended all of the students for their efforts and thanked the awards committee for its hard work. He also thanked Cindy Everson in the school office for her work in putting together the awards program and School Counselor Kris Hoffman for advocating for the students.
For more photos of scholarship recipients, visit our photo gallery. Just click on the community tab above and then galleries!
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