Scholarship Spotlight: Mary Persson Pursuit of Excellence Teacher Scholarship
Mary Persson spent 4 decades teaching young minds in the Williston school system, retiring officially in the spring of 2108 (although she still subs in the district). Upon her retirement, her son Tyler and his wife Marie decided they wanted to honor Mary’s passion for education, her dedication to her students, and her outstanding career with WPSD #1 by creating a teacher scholarship in her name.
Because Mary spent a large portion of her career at Lewis & Clark Elementary school, our committee decided to give the first year's awards to teachers at that school who are working on their Master's Degrees.
In all, 4 Lewis & Clark teachers were awarded a scholarship in the amount of $500 in honor of their former colleague and friend: Brandie Hass, 2nd grade teacher; Melissa Heller, 3rd grade teacher; Lacey Hendrickson, reading strategist; and Tara Christoffersen, Title 1 teacher.
What a neat tribute by Mary's son and daughter-in-law, and what a special treat for the Lewis & Clark educators who are pursuing excellence like Mary Persson.
In Loving Memory:
- Scott Lippert, Class of 1981
- Duane Anderson, staff
- Doris (Harstad) Herring, Class of 1949
- Karen (Kinsey) Orr, Class of 1977
- Katie Hughes, Class of 2003
- Randy Everson, Class of 1976
Gifts to the Foundation:
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Randy Semingson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Teresa Kennedy, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Rhonda Granbois Bartlett, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Kent Ralph, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Peggy Conlin, in memory of Jim Leinen
Paula and Russell Schilke, in memory of Don Urbatch
Doyle Berve, unrestricted
James Powers, in memory of Larry Hanson
Gerald and Aileen Behm, in memory of Larry Hanson
Lowell and Carol Sandvik, in memory of Larry Hanson and Dean Hermes
Pat and Kim Hennessy, in memory of Larry Hanson
Gene and Tammy Johnson, in memory of Jim Leinen
United Technologies, unrestricted
Darrin Knudsvig, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Gary and Colleen Dorval, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Mark and Shelley Ellis, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Samantha Roberts, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Michelle Alexander, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Kristy Richards, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Jenna Anderson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Bob and Kathy Bartz, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Bill and Shelly Witt, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Peri (Smith) McMeans, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Wayne Rau, for the WHS Class of 1981 Memorial Scholarship
Jack and Darla Scheuerman, in memory of Carmen Bisbee, for the WHS Class of 1981 Memorial Scholarship
Kari and James Klug, in memory of Jill Herreid and Scott Lippert, for the WHS Class of 1981 Memorial Scholarship
Whitney Olson, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Deb and Rob Kemp, for the Leslee Bublitz Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Scott Lippert
Kellie Llewellyn, for the WHS Class of 1996 Memorial Scholarship
Billie Pippenger, for the WHS Class of 1996 Memorial Scholarship
Stephanie Kopseng, for the WHS Class of 1996 Memorial Scholarship
John and Cathy Schmitz, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
Marty and Arlis Haug, for the Marty and Arlis Haug Family Scholarship and the Oliver and Hilda Hanson Memorial Scholarship
Fred and Marlene Roberts, in memory of Norby O'Keefe and Jim Leinen -- for the Legends Field project
Lynn and Melissa Sundby, in memory of Wendell Larson and Joan Amsden
Gary and Leora Sukut, in memory of Larry Hanson and Dean Hermes -- for the Legends Field project
Kayleen Njos, unrestricted
John and DaVee MacMaster, in memory of Mavis Sogard, Jim Leinen, Larry Hanson, Doug Engman, Jerry Illebrun, and Todd Gaudreau, for the Bud MacMaster Memorial Teacher Scholarship and the Neva MacMaster Memorial Teacher Scholarship
Tom and Kathleen Conlin, in memory of Jim Leinen and Larry Hanson
Dean Aafedt, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
American State Bank and Trust, in memory of Jane McNabb
Steve and Jan Sell, in memory of Todd Gaudreau and Joan Amsden
Clyde and Janell Sailer, in memory of Dean Hermes
Gerald and Marilyn Rooks, in memory of Dean Hermes
Rodney and Sharon Anderson, in memory of Dean Hermes
Gary and Doreen Knutson, in memory of Dean Hermes
Arlan and Gayle Arnson, in memory of Dean Hermes
Ricky Kittleson, in memory of Dean Hermes
C and J Energy Services (Sheila and Brian Haaland), for the Annie Barkie Memorial Scholarship
David and Gay Williamson, for swimming and wrestling, in memory of Dean Hermes, Darlene and Jim Leinen
Lloyd and Connie Teske, in memory of Scott Lippert and Todd Gaudreau
Diane Stockman, for the Don and Josephine Stockman Memorial Scholarship
Diane Hagen, in memory of Dean Hermes
James Babb and Gail Migliorini, for the Alfred and Jennie Solberg Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Rose Johnson
2019 Awards Night Set
The 2019 Williston Coyote Foundation Awards Night is set for Wednesday, May 8th, at 7:00pm at WHS. We are excited to honor the 2019 graduating class of Coyotes with scholarships to continue their education beyond high school. The deadline to apply for scholarships through the Coyote Foundation is Friday, March 15th.
Another Successful WSC/WHS Event
The annual Williston State College "friend-raising" event in Phoenix, AZ, was a huge success. We are so grateful to be included in the event each President's Day weekend, and we had so much fun chatting with alumni and friends of WHS and the Williston Coyote Foundation. Having people come up and visit with us about how the Coyote Foundation has made an impact in their lives was truly remarkable.
Until next year!
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!
