Joan Gardner-Goodno of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation presented full scholarships for Lake Superior College to nine Cook County High School graduates. (L-R) ZachTaylor, Mike Taylor, Clay Johnson. (L-R, back) Gardner-Goodno, Jade Wolke, Deedra Mongan, Anna Green, Stephanie Fenstad-Lashinski, Kayla Bronikowski, Adrianna Berglund.
An impressive number of scholarships and awards were distributed at the Cook County High School Awards and Scholarships Program on Monday, May 20, 2013, highlighting the hard work of Cook County students and the generous community that supports them.
CCHS Principal Gwen Carman gave a welcome and noted that the awards given at the program are not just for a moment, but are the cumulative result of years of hard work. To the junior class, she added, “Take note—thousands and thousands of dollars are being granted for higher education. It takes a lot of time and effort to apply for these awards, but it is worth it.”
There were many awards given for math and science, for theater and for community service. Many scholarships are long-standing and some are new, such as the memorial scholarship presented by Hartley Acero, in memory of her father. Acero gave a moving tribute to her dad, noting that he thought so much of the Vikings cross country running team. He appreciated how they took care of one another, waiting at the finish line until the last team member came in. Acero said that although her father was a good athlete, he wasn’t the greatest. And although he was very intelligent, he struggled in school because he learned years later that he was dyslexic. Her father was successful despite all that, said Acero, because of his resolve and determination. She said that is what her family looked for in the recipient of the $1,000 grant in his name. “So, on behalf of my tenacious father,” said Acero, “I am pleased to present the O.W. Newell Memorial to Sarissa Falk.”
Another new scholarship was presented by Pam Taylor. Taylor explained that CCHS has always responded well to the call for donations for the Memorial Blood Center. Taylor has organized the blood drives for many years, but was unable to this year because of her diagnosis of breast cancer. Taylor asked for someone to take over coordination of the blood drive and Rachel Wieben did just that. “She got more donors than I ever did,” joked Taylor as she presented the award.
Left: Pam Taylor presented a scholarship to Rachel Wieben from the Memorial Blood Center. Wieben took over coordinating the school blood drive from Taylor. Right: A new scholarship—the O.W. Newell Memorial— was presented to Sarissa Falk, an avid runner and determined young woman.
There were many touching moments as students received support to pursue their dreams, but none more so than when Joan Gardner- Goodno announced the recipients of the 2013 Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation scholarships to Lake Superior College. The grants cover tuition and book fees to Lake Superior College in Duluth. Gardner-Goodno said there were nine very deserving applicants this year and said the foundation simply could not pick one or two students. In an unprecedented decision, the foundation gave scholarships to all nine applicants— Stephanie Fenstad-Lashinski, Adrianna Berglund, Deedra Mongan, Jade Wolke, Mike Taylor, Zach Taylor, Anna Green, Kayla Bronikowski and Clay Johnson. There were high fives and a few tears as students accepted the award and a standing ovation of gratitude for the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation for its generosity.
At the end of the program, Principal Carman reiterated her gratitude to the students for their hard work, to the parents for supporting their children through the years and to the many donors of scholarships.
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