January 2019 News and Notes

Two Bakken Elementary Educators to Participate in STEM Training
​​​​​​​
Brandi Mehlhoff and Audrey Angelo, Bakken Elementary teachers, have been chosen to participate in a STEM Education Fellowship Program. The teachers are being recognized for their efforts in promoting STEM education at their school, and thanks to Equinor and the Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation, they will get to attend the Texas Computer Education Association's 2019 convention and exposition in San Antonio, Texas this February.

A big congratulations goes out to these two outstanding educators! We are thrilled to see all the amazing things they have been doing in the Makerspace at Bakken Elementary!

See the full article here.

In Loving Memory:

Gifts to the Foundation:

  • Floyd Stewart
  • Brad and Marilyn Olson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Norman and Lisa Hanson, for the school lunch program
  • Brandy LaDue, for the school lunch program
  • Robert Torgerson
  • Calvin and Charlene Eklund, for the school lunch program
  • Stan and Amy Reep, in memory of Todd Gaudreau, Janet Goar Williams, Larr Hanson, and Jim Leinen
  • Rodney and Sharon Anderson, in memory of Jim Leinen and Larry Hanson
  • Roger and Sandy Kohlman, in memory of Larry Hanson
  • Dick and Marg McKennett, in memory of Mavis Sogard
  • Sonny and Patricia Hanson, for the Sonny and Patricia Hanson Family Scholarship and the Oliver and Hilda Hanson Memorial Scholarship
  • Fred and Coral Whisenand, in memory of Mavis Sogard, Janet Goar Williams, and Larry Hanson
  • Del and Lorna Easton, in memory of Jim Leinen
  • Gayle and Arlan Arnson, in memory of Jim Leinen, Doug Engman and Larry Hanson
  • Lowell and Carol Sandvik, in memory of Jim Leinen and Larry Hanson
  • Gary and Doreen Knutson, in memory of Jim Leinen
  • Joe Hallgren, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Deb and Rob Kemp, in memory of Mavis Sogard, for the Les Bublitz Memorial Scholarship
  • Margaret Conlin, in memory of Jim Leinen for the WHS Class of 1968 Memorial Scholarship
  • Paula and Russell Schilke, in memory of Todd Gaudreau and Don Urbatch, for the Todd Gaudreau Memorial Scholarship
  • Doyle Berve
  • James Powers, in memory of Larry Hanson
  • Gerald and Aileen Behm, in memory of Larry Hanson
  • Pat and Kim Hennessy, in memory of Larry Hanson, Wendell Gene Larson
  • Gene and Tammy Johnson, in memory of Jim Leinen
  • United Technologies
  • John and Kit Creasy, for the Eleanor and Jack Snyder Sr. Memorial Music Scholarship, in honor of Jack Snyder Jr.
  • Porter and Lisa Dawson, for the Eleanor and Jack Snyder Sr. Memorial Music Scholarship, in honor of Jack Snyder Jr.
  • Dick and Marg McKennett, in memory of Todd Gaudreau and Larry Hanson
  • Fred and Marlene Roberts, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Wayne Fretland
  • Craig McIvor, in memory of Larry Hanson and Jerry Illebrun
  • Janet Howard Monroe
  • Orell Schmitz, for the Lois Schmitz Memorial Scholarship
  • Cathy Schmitz, for the Ted Schmitz Memorial Scholarhsip
  • Patricia Kalil Margarit
  • John Laqua, for the Janet Hughes Laqua Memorial Scholarship
  • Marty and Arlis Haug
  • Donald Skjei Revocable Living Trust
  • Phil Jackson
  • Bill and Laurie Carl, for the Cathie Carl Gendreau Memorial Scholarship
  • Ted Hopgood, for the Legends Field project
  • Neil and Colleen Reuter, for the Legends Field Project
  • Matthew and Carla Vannatta, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Layton and Joan Anderson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Patrick and Deann Krueger, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Steven and Stacy Adducci, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Wayne and Jane Engebretson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Mark and Susan Ceglowski, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Pam Stromme, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Regina Emery, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Dan Brown, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Shannon and Bruce Miller, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Terry Sivertson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Denice (Nice) Ruscigno, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Michael and Carol Bartels, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Allen Quie, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Brian Helstad, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Michael and Lynne Edstrom, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • John and Yvonne Clayton, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Michael and Donna Amundson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Melissa Anne Marie Benson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • James and Sonya Dwyer, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Kevin and Vonda Syverson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Stacy and Kari Tweet, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Bryan Larson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Rex and Deborah Oyler, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • David and Theresa Storoe, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Stephen and Tana Olson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Brad and Kim Hingtgen, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • TJ and Carol Herauf, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Anthony and Candace Morse, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Jody and Patricia Monson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Thomas and Laura Davidson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
  • Jeff Ackerson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau           

Scholarship Spotlight: Todd Gaudreau Memorial Scholarship

Thanks to the efforts of the WHS Class of 1984, the Williston Coyote Foundation has created the Todd Gaudreau Memorial Scholarship to be awarded for the first time in the spring of 2019 to a Williston High School senior.

​​​​​​​Todd Gaudreau was born in Williston in 1965, and graduated from Williston High School in 1984, where he participated in cross country, wrestling, choir and band. He died in Williston in December 2018, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Todd was a friend to many, and a stranger to none. He was optimistic, enthusiastic, compassionate, positive, and supportive. He was passionate about physical fitness, was a regular at the gym, and encouraged and motivated others. Todd had a deep faith in God, and saw the best in everyone.

The class of 1984, along with fellow alumni and friends, started this scholarship to honor Todd and his generous spirit by helping others to pursue their dreams.

"He left this earth caring for others, showing compassion, lending a helping hand, making people laugh, seeing the best in everyone and treating people with respect, no matter what journey they were on."

WHS Band Receives Honor

The Williston High School band has received an impressive nomination thanks to Governor Doug Burgum.  The band has been invited by Music Celebrations International to represent North Dakota in the 2019 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

The parade will be held on July 4th, 2019 in the nation's capital, and our Coyote marchers will be on display along with other great high school bands from across the country.

If you are interested in financially supporting this opportunity for our students, please contact eric.rooke@willistonschools.org. (701) 572-0967, ext. 1225

Did you Know??? 

We do so much more than scholarships at the Williston Coyote Foundation. We also look for ways to help the schools through unrestricted funds donated to our Foundation, grants written on behalf of the schools, and donor-specific gifts.

We are thrilled to announce that we have set up two qualified charitable endowments through the Williston Coyote Foundation:  The Nadine Sukut Bloomquist Memorial Endowment and the John and Cathy Schmitz Endowment for the Betterment of Williston Schools.  The State of North Dakota offers a tax credit for donations of $5000 or more to a qualified endowment, and we would be happy to discuss how your donation can be utilized in the best possible way for both you and the schools, students, and teachers at WPSD #1! 

​If you or your company would like to know more about ways you can help Williston Public Schools, please feel free to contact us at the Williston Coyote Foundation. We would love to visit with you about how your donation can be used for the benefit of the schools, students, and staff of WPSD #1.

As always, your donations are tax-deductible and very much appreciated. You can donate conveniently online or can mail any donations to our address listed below. We could not continue our mission of promoting and supporting Williston Public School District #1 without the help of our generous donors! ​