2019 Awards Night a Success

Thanks to the generosity of Williston Public School District 1's alumni and friends, 60 WHS graduates received scholarships from the Williston Coyote Foundation, totally over $80,000, at the May 8th award ceremony.

A heartfelt thank you to all our outstanding donors for making this event possible, and a warm congratulations to the students who were selected to receive scholarships based on their academic excellence, their athletic accomplishments, their musical talents, and their citizenship:

Brady Aberle -- Upper Missouri United Sportsmen Scholarship $1000; Dana Ebel Memorial Baseball Scholarship $500

Carson Arndt -- Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Hugh Long Family Scholarship $500; Josh Drew Turn It Around Scholarship $300

Samantha Barrett -- Rita Anseth Memorial Scholarship $500; Eleanor and Jack Snyder Sr. Memorial Music Scholarship $750

Apollo Beck -- David “Jorgy” Jorgenson Memorial Scholarship $500; Cody Wentz Memorial Scholarship $500

Kinsley Bendixson -- Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Robert and Sharon Herman Memorial Scholarship $500; Gene and Elsie DeLorme Memorial Scholarship $500

Luca Beretta -- Greg Ough Memorial Scholarship $500; Taylor Nelson Memorial Scholarship $300; Nina Kjorstad Shelby Memorial Scholarship $500

Erick Bickler -- Upper Missouri United Sportsmen Scholarship $1000; Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Lanny Holgerson Memorial Scholarship $500

Braedon Borseth -- Norm and Cleo Furuseth Memorial Scholarship $500; Lexi Meduna Memorial Scholarship $1000

Precious Dada -- Dr. Bob Olson Memorial Scholarship $500

Nash Dietz -- Charmaine Krenz Memorial Scholarship $1500

Brady Doeden -- Todd Gaudreau Memorial Scholarship $500; Robert and Sharon Herman Memorial Scholarship $500; Marty and Arlis Haug Family Scholarship $1000; H.L. Pedersen Memorial Scholarship $500

Jacob Donner -- Doug Stevens Memorial Scholarship $500; Josephine and Don Stockman Memorial Scholarship $500

Rhys Enget -- Robert and Sharon Herman Memorial Scholarship $500

Abigail Fagerland -- WHS Class of 1968 Memorial Scholarship $500; WHS Class of 1980 Memorial Scholarship $500

Katherine Fearing -- WHS Class of 1975 Memorial Scholarship $1000; Greg Ough Memorial Scholarship $500

Lauren Fearing -- Polivka Family Nursing Scholarship $1000 *renewable one year

Sydney Fearing -- Marek Trust Memorial Scholarship $500; Roger Breezley Memorial Scholarship $500

Justice Ferrell -- WHS Class of 1996 Memorial Scholarship $500

Jacob Geiss -- Charmaine Krenz Memorial Scholarship $1500

Hudson Gendreau -- Marek Trust Memorial Scholarship $500

Kennedy Gerbig -- Charmaine Krenz Memorial Scholarship $1500; Bob Abernethy Memorial Scholarship $500

Chase Glueckert -- Aric Quarne Memorial Music Scholarship $500; Ben McIvor Memorial Scholarship $500

Madison Gutknecht -- Upper Missouri United Sportsmen Scholarship $1000

Reed Hanson -- Sonny and Patricia Hanson Scholarship $500; Oliver & Hilda Hanson Memorial Scholarship $500; Dana Ebel Memorial Basketball Scholarship $500; Arlo Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship $500

Samantha Hazzard -- Carole Amb Memorial Teaching Scholarship $300; E. Clare Stepanek Memorial Scholarship $1200

Nikole Hellen -- Floyd and Hildegarde Penfield Memorial Scholarship $500; Cathie Carl Gendreau Memorial Scholarship $500

Jalyn Helstad -- Donn Skadeland Memorial “Player of the Game” Basketball Scholarship $500 (3x winner); Upper Missouri United Sportsmen Scholarship $1000; Riewe Sisters Memorial Girls Basketball Scholarship $250

Jana Horob -- John and Cathy Schmitz Endowment Scholarship $1000

Hayden Kemp -- Upper Missouri United Sportsmen Scholarship $1000; Donald Stewart Memorial Scholarship $250; Janet Hughes Laqua Memorial Scholarship $1250

Riley Kemp -- Tyler Jangula Memorial Scholarship $500; Robert Barkie Memorial Scholarship $500; H. L. Pedersen Memorial Scholarship $500

Olivia Karwoski -- E. Clare Stepanek Memorial Scholarship $1200

Samantha Krogfoss -- Anderson Family Scholarship $1000

Camberly Lerbakken -- Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Ted Schmitz Memorial Scholarship $1000; Annie Barkie Memorial Scholarship $500

Jadyn Linnehan -- Cheri Fay Brakey Memorial Scholarship $1000

Emily Lux -- Gene and Elsie DeLorme Memorial Scholarship $500; Nelson/Freeman Memorial Scholarship $500

Karter Mack -- Tyler Jangula Memorial Scholarship $500; Alfred and Jennie Solberg Memorial Scholarship $1000

Jolyssa Marquardt -- Annie Barkie Memorial Bunko Scholarship $1000; Rick, Debbie, and Josh Waitman Memorial Scholarship $500

Abigail Martin -- Lloyd Larson Memorial History Scholarship $500; Lexi Meduna Memorial Little Scholars Scholarship $500

Conner Martin -- Eleanor and Jack Snyder Sr. Memorial Music Scholarship $750; Nelson/Freeman Memorial Scholarship $500

Colette Mattila -- Charmaine Krenz Memorial Scholarship $1500

Kyla Melland -- Jim Geierman Memorial Scholarship $1000; Neff, Eiken, & Neff Law Firm Scholarship $500

Stacey Meyer -- Lavonne Lowe Nelson Memorial Scholarship $500

Alli Monson -- Roger Breezley Memorial Scholarship $500; Doug Stevens Memorial Scholarship $500

Thaddeus Moore -- Galen Germundson Memorial Scholarship $1000

Bailee Murray -- Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Dwight and Carole Montgomery Memorial Scholarship $500

Carly-Anne Nicholson -- Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Doug and Donnette Taylor Family Scholarship $1000

Ellie Ogaard -- Doug Stevens Memorial Scholarship $500

Juanita Pina -- Annie Barkie Memorial Scholarship $500; Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship $250; Kristi Grove Wells Memorial Bunko Scholarship $1000

Ann Reinke -- Dr. Jerry Olson Memorial Scholarship $500; Brian Shirley Memorial Scholarship $500

Alexis Renner -- Dr. T.C. Ritter Memorial Scholarship $950

Peyton Richardson -- Rita Anseth Memorial Scholarship $500; Lois Schmitz Memorial Scholarship $1000

Matthew Richter -- Janet Hughes Laqua Memorial Scholarship $1250; Williston Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship $500

Shannon Ring -- Cathie Carl Gendreau Memorial Scholarship $500; Dick Jensen Memorial Scholarship $500

Sariah Sanders -- Eleanor and Jack Snyder Sr. Memorial Music Scholarship $750; Virgil Syverson Memorial Music Scholarship $500

Christopher Sathe -- Ron Martin Memorial Baseball Scholarship $500; Kim Pflepsen Memorial Scholarship $1000

Anna Scallon -- Upper Missouri United Sportsmen Scholarship $1000; Lexi Meduna Memorial Scholarship $1000

Mirada Senior -- Anderson Family Scholarship $1000

Taylor Swenson -- Doug Stevens Memorial Scholarship $500; Charmaine Krenz Memorial Scholarship $1500

Katelyn Way -- Henry Ceglowski Memorial Scholarship $500; Ruth Hegge Fay Memorial Scholarship $1000

Jessie Yeager -- WHS Class of 1962 Memorial Scholarship $500

• • Nyla Kay Hanson, Class of 1978
  • Jay LePage, Class of 1980
  • Schawn Schmitz, Class of 1984
  • Marlene McGrath Sanford, Class of 1970
  • Dennis Larsen, Class of 1956
  • Bruce Vig, Class of 1977
  • Donald Urbatsch

Gifts to the Foundation:

• Amanda Simard &  Alexa Stevens, to start the Doug Stevens Memorial Scholarship in memory of their father
• Larry and Maureen Laqua, in memory of Harold Tvedt
• Lewis and Clark PTO, for the Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship
• Lewis and Clark Activity, for the Lewis & Clark Explorers Alumni Scholarship
• Sheila and Brian Haaland, for the Annie Barkie Memorial Scholarship
• The Bunko Gals, for the Annie Barkie Memorial Scholarship and the Kristi Grove Wells Memorial Scholarship
• David and Jean Nelson, in memory of Dennis Olson -- Class of 63
• Arlan and Gayle Arnson, in memory of Schawn Schmitz
• Roger and Ellen Britton, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Greg and Kay Anderson, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Gerald and Cheryl Fleck, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Clyde and Janell Sailer, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Barkie Family Trust, for the Robert Barkie Memorial Scholarship
• Greg and Kim DeLorme, for the Gene and Elsie DeLorme Memorial Scholarship
• Josh Drew, for the Josh Drew Turn-It-Around Scholarship
• Arvid and Judy Johnson, in memory of Dennis Olson -- Class of 63
• Dawn Hustad and Kris Meduna, for the Lexi Meduna Memorial Scholarship, in memory of their daughter, Lexi Meduna
• Loree Olson
• Mike and Christina Jungels, for the Todd Gaudreau Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Kevin Bercier, Stacy Lutz Johnston, Scott Lippert, Jared Schwann, Alexis Meduna, and Todd Gaudreau
• Darla Whitty, for the WHS Class of 1980 Memorial Scholarship
• Kurt Stoner, in memory of Carole Sinness
• Larry and Elaine Doeden, for the H.L. Pedersen Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Roger Altenburg
• Chad and Erin Thuner, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Monica Jeanotte, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• David and Diane Clinton, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Deb Richter, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Rick and Janet Tangedal, for the Donn Skadeland Memorial Basketball Scholarship, in memory of Baby K Magalei
• Franklin McCoy, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Dan and Chris Will, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Joe and Wanda Meyer, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Ken and Darci Kjos, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Christine Glueckert, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Christie Lininger, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• WHS Staff, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Wayne Anderson, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of his wife, Jennifer Anderson
• OneOK, grant for 5 Lenovo 300E Chromebooks
• Williston Middle School's National Junior Honor Society, for the Taylor Nelson Memorial Scholarship
• Lowell and Carol Sandvik, in memory of Roger Alternburg
• Darryl and Carolyn Whitecloud, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• John and DaVee  MacMaster, for the Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jennifer Anderson
• Paula and Russell Schilke, for the Todd Gaudreau Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Bruce Vig, Elva "Jean" Nelson, Schawn Schmitz, Janet Whritenour, and Betty Salvevold

Heritage Committee Members Sought

As previously announced, an effort by several Williston High School Alumni from the 50’s and 60’s to name the football field at the new high school “Legends Field” and to display a plaque at WHS with names of individuals who have made an exceptional difference in the lives of students who attend(ed) Williston High School. Their intentions were to honor the proud heritage of Williston High School and recognize a legend from their time as Coyotes.

In October of 2018, the naming of the football field went through and was unanimously approved by the School Board. Then in February of 2019, the criteria of how a person could be nominated went through unanimously as well. With this approval, the first name was selected for the Legends Field plaque; that person is H.L. Pedersen, WHS staff member from 1951-1963.

In an effort to honor H.L. Pedersen and future Legends selected to receive the honor, the Coyote Foundation and the WPSD #1 School Board is asking for volunteers to start a "Heritage Committee." The committee will assist with the name selections for the Legends Field Plaque, plan events in conjunction with the honoring of individuals selected to be on the plaque, and assist with all aspects of the Legends Field project including the metal works and signage that needs to be added to the football field.

If you are interested in assisting with the creation of the WPSD #1 Heritage Committee for Williston High School, please email us at codi.austreim@willistonschools.org. We appreciate your willingness to help us honor and preserve our strong heritage at WHS.

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! ​

Bond Referendum Set for April 9th 

​​​​​​​Voters in Williston Public School District #1 will be asked to go to the polls once again to decide whether to add on to the high school and build 2 new elementary schools.  In order to accomplish this feat, voters will be asked to support a $60 million bond referendum AND increase the existing building fund mil levy from 10 to 20 mils.

The graphics below highlight important information for voters:  THE COST and THE PLAN.

• Verona (Wegley) Lechler, Class of 1958
• Elizabeth Adamson, Class of 2007
• Cleo (Overstreet) Lowe, Class of 1960
• Joan (Sundby) Bekkedahl, Class of 1951
• Deb (Kanta) Hoffman, Class of 1975
• John Foughner, Class of 1949
• Olga (Johnson) Sundet, Class of 1934

Gifts to the Foundation:

• Carol and Lowell Sandvik, in  memory of  Dean Hermes
• David and Gay Williamson, in memory of Dean Hermes, Darlene and Jim Leinen
• Lloyd and Connie Teske, in memory of Scott Lippert
• Diane Stockman, for the Donald and Josephine Stockman Memorial Scholarship
• Diane Hagen, in memory of Dean Hermes
• James Babb and Gail Migliorini, in memory of Rose Johnson -- for the Alfred and Jennie Solberg Memorial Scholarship
• Arvid and Judy Johnson, in memory of Katie Hughes
• David and Veanna Selid, in memory of Katie Hughes
• Paul and Kristi Beauchman, in memory of Todd Gaudreau
• John and DaVee MacMaster, for the Neva MacMaster Memorial English Teacher Scholarship and the Bud MacMaster Memorial Teacher/Coach Scholarship, in memory of Duane Anderson, Joan Bekkedahl, Steve Ogurchak
• Aileen "Fay" Carlson Behm, in memory of Verona Wegley Lechler
• Bonnie and Paul Bennett, in memory of Dean Hermes and Joyce Landes
• Gene and Tammy Johnson, in memory of Randy Everson
• Sonny and Patricia Hanson, for the Oliver and Hilda Hanson Memorial Scholarship in memory of Joan Bekkedahl
• Craig McIvor, for the Ben McIvor Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Jim Leinen, Scott Lippert, Todd Gaudreau, Cleo Lowe, and Joan Bekkedahl
• Anonymous donation to Legends Field in memory of Dean Hermes
• Roger and Sandy Kohlman, in memory of Dean Hermes
• Mary and Preston Persson, for the Mary Persson Pursuit of Excellence Teacher Scholarship
• Angela Palmer, in memory of Joan Bekkedahl
• Debra (Fougner) Pankow, in memory of John Fougner
• Luella Krabseth, in memory of Joan Bekkedahl
• Stan and Amy Reep, in memory of Joan Bekkedahl
• Tate and Jody Cymbaluk, in memory of Joan Bekkedahl
• Roger and Paula Cymbaluk, in memory of Joan Bekkedahl
• Next Home Fredricksen Real Estate, in memory of Elizabeth Adamson
• Tyler and Marie Persson, for the Mary Persson Pursuit of Excellence Teacher Scholarship
• Dick and Marg McKennett, in memory of Jane McNabb
• Karla Olson, for the Leslee Bublitz Memorial Scholarship
• Julie Wrolson, for the WHS Class of 1980 Memorial Scholarship

Absentee Voting Information -- You can vote now at the WPSD#1 office!

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! ​

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.

• 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

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! ​

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.

• Todd Gaudreau, Class of 1984
• Arlene (Swenson) Gysler, Class of 1940
• Rod Bisbee, Class of 1972,
• Rodney "Mike" Harstad, Class of 1971
• Darlene (Brevik) Lee, Class of 1947
• Maurice "Sonny" Sandaker, Class of 1954
• Janet (Goar) Williams, Class of 1951
• Larry Hanson, Class of 1959
• Vincent Price, Class of 1954
• Douglas Engmann, Class of 1963

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! ​

Happy New Year from all of us at the Williston Coyote Foundation: Board Members John Schmitz (president), Tate Cymbaluk (vice president), Jill Haugen (secretary), Mark McGinley (treasurer), Taylor Olson, Marilyn Olson, Scott Studsrud, Jessica Bingeman Vestal, Brandon Johnson, and Arlan Arnson, and Executive Director Codi Austreim.

We hope your 2019 is filled with happiness and health. We can't help but be grateful for all the blessings that were bestowed upon us in 2018 thanks to our generous donors. Here's a look back at some of the ways your thoughtfulness allowed us to continue our mission of promoting and supporting Williston Public School District #1.

#givingbacktotheorangeandblack

10. Music Room Makeover:
This spring, thanks to the Chuck Johnson Fund, we were able to help Bakken Elementary turn the old WHS art rooms into two separate music classrooms. The transformation allowed them to free up some much-needed classroom space and provided nice large spaces for the music program.

9. Math Counts
Thanks to a grant from ONEOK, we were able to help bring in a MathCounts program for the elementary schools!

8. Close-Up Trip
With help from the Leon B. Olson Recognition fund, we helped with transportation costs for the students at their annual Close-Up trip to Washington, D.C.

7. National Honor Society
Again thanks to the Leon B. Olson Recognition fund, we were able to donate to the WHS National Honor Society program!

6. Teacher Scholarships & New Teacher Grants
We awarded teacher scholarships this year to WPSD #1 employees who are continuing their education. We gave out the following:
Bud MacMaster Memorial Scholarship
Neva MacMaster Memorial Scholarship
Wally LaRose Memorial Scholarship
Jim Haugen Memorial Scholarship
(coming in 2019 -- the Mary Persson Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship)
And, thanks to the George Amsden Memorial New Teacher Grant, we were able to provide stipends for classroom supplies to all the first year teachers who began their teaching careers with WPSD #1.

5. Drama Department
The WHS Drama Department received a grant from us for new audio equipment for their plays and productions!

4. Legends Field
With the help of some dedicated alumni, we were able to facilitate the naming of the new football field at WHS to Legends Field, as a way to pay homage to the outstanding alumni who have paved the way for success both in the classroom and on the playing fields!

3. Lunch Account
Because of multiple generous donors, we have been able to ensure that no student goes hungry or receives an "alternative meal" at lunch time in WPSD #1

2. Senior Awards Night
60 WHS grads from the class of 2018 were awarded scholarships from our outstanding scholarship program -- to the tune of $62,350! We are blown away that we gave out 98 scholarships this year!

1. Maker Space
With grants from Crescent Point Energy, Equinor, Hess, Nalco Champion, an Ecolab Company, and an in-kind donation from Triangle Electric, we were able to create the "Maker Space" at Bakken Elementary! This cool interactive classroom has been a hit, and we can't wait to watch it grow and spread to other schools in the district in 2019!

• Todd Gaudreau, Class of 1984
• Arlene (Swenson) Gysler, Class of 1940
• Rod Bisbee, Class of 1972,
• Rodney "Mike" Harstad, Class of 1971
• Darlene (Brevik) Lee, Class of 1947
• Maurice "Sonny" Sandaker, Class of 1954
• Janet (Goar) Williams, Class of 1951
• Larry Hanson, Class of 1959
• Vincent Price, Class of 1954
• Douglas Engmann, Class of 1963

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! ​

WHS Boys Cross Country Bring Home the State Championship Trophy to Williston

A huge shout-out to the Williston High School Boys Cross Country team for their 2018 State Class A Championship in Jamestown last weekend. The team finished with 8 runners in the top 25 and with no seniors and lots of motivated athletes, looks to be a favorite for next year as well. Coach Shane Wahlstrom was named the State Cross Country Coach of the Year for his efforts. We are so proud of their hard work and determination!

Hess Donates to Maker Space

Yet another company has joined the cause to enhance 21st Century Learning in Williston Public School District #1. The Maker Space at Bakken Elementary has grown by leaps and bounds this year thanks to the generous donations of local businesses. This time, Hess answered the call for classroom sets of Little Bits, a product that introduces students to coding. The Maker Space is located in the library at Bakken Elementary, and teachers are now able to reserve the space for their classes to enhance the technology curriculum by actively engaging in the skills they are learning in the classroom.

Hess also donated 30 Hess trucks for the students to utilize in the Maker Space.

Besides Hess's donation, the project has received support from Equinor (formerly Statoil), Crescent Point Energy, Nalco Champion, An Ecolab Company, and Triangle Electric.

We are so thankful for the generous support of our donors, and we know that the students of WPSD #1 are benefiting from the generosity.

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! ​

A.D. Bud MacMaster and Neva MacMaster Memorial Teacher Scholarships Awarded for 2018
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Two of our teacher scholarships, in honor of husband and wife, Bud and Neva MacMaster, were awarded to Williston Public School District #1 educators.

A. D. (Bud) MacMaster was a mathematics teacher and basketball coach after he finished his studies at the University of North Dakota. He then moved to Williston where he started his abstract business. He was a great supporter of the Williston Schools where he served as a School Board member for many years. He was very generous with his money in support of all kinds of student programs.

The Bud MacMaster scholarship is to be given to a mathematics instructor or coach, and this year is was awarded to Ala Martin.
Ms. Martin is in her 2nd year as the PASS instructor at WHS, working with students to recover credits in core subjects. She and her husband, Logan Jangula, are parents a newborn baby and their 3 cats and a dog. In her free time, Ala loves to volunteer at the Animal Rescue and Retirement Ranch just outside of town, play piano, and spend time with friends and family.

Neva MacMaster was an English teacher at one time. When the time came to raise her children, she quit teaching to stay home with them. But she remained a great reader and continued to be interested in children’s education. Because of her interests in reading and education, her family established this scholarship specifically for teachers of English at whatever grade level.

The Neva MacMaster Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Melissa Anderson this year. She grew up in North Dakota and graduated from Jamestown College. Melissa lived in Colorado for the past 20 years, and in 2017, returned to Williston. She teaches English at Williston High School and started her Master's program in the summer of 2018. Mellissa is married with three boys, a dog and two cats. She enjoys outdoor and indoor recreation, hockey, watching football, cooking, baking, and keeping her family organized!

Congrats to both winners and a big thank you to the donors who support the Bud and Neva MacMaster Memorial Scholarships!

Scholarship Spotlight:
Dana Ebel Memorial Scholarship

This month, we created two new scholarships at the Williston Coyote Foundation. One of which is this month's "scholarship spotlight." Dana Ebel was a 1997 WHS graduate. During his time at WHS, he was a multi-sport athlete for the Coyotes. He was a three year started for the basketball team and also an integral part of the Williston Keybirds' infield. Dana loved sports and coaching for the lifelong friendships that were established, and for the love of helping out little kids and seeing them learn the sports that had brought him so much joy throughout his youth and adult life.

The only thing Dana loved more than sports was his family -- his wife and soulmate Feliciti, his daughters Jocelyn, Annabelle, Olivia, and Gracie, and his son Brody. He was also an avid businessman and a partner at Ebel Integrators, a family-owned business in which he partnered with his father Dwight and his brother Damian. With his energetic personality and his friends calling him "the mayor" because he could strike a conversation with anybody at any time, business played a natural part of his life. Dana loved to meet new people and to have opportunity for new possibilities.

This scholarship was created by Dana's friends and family to allow WHS graduates the opportunity to play sports at the next level and continue "for the love of the game." Two $500 scholarships will be awarded annually -- one to a boys’ basketball player and one to a boys’ baseball player.

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! ​

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Music Room Makeover: Bakken Elementary Turns Old Art Rooms in New Music Rooms

With a growing enrollment and no relief in sight, Jeremy Mehlhoff, principal at Bakken Elementary, had to get creative in order to accommodate all of his students.

Because of the added number of students, the general music classes had to be relocated from general classrooms to a different, larger space, both to have enough room for the large music classes and to create additional core classroom space. The problem? The only space left was the old art rooms from WHS. They were designed for art -- concrete floors, giant wooden tables, and unfinished walls.

Over the summer, Mehlhoff and his staff set out to create a suitable environment for music. And the Coyote Foundation was able to help with the project thanks to the Chuck Johnson Fund (pictured below).

If you are interested in helping make further improvements to the Bakken music rooms, please email us. We'd be happy to facilitate a tax-deductible donation!

Mary Persson Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship Created

Mary Persson graduated from WHS, Williston State College (with an Associate’s Degree), UND with an Education Degree for K-8 and Early Childhood, and then she went on to earn an Elementary Master’s in Education Degree (Math Concentration)from Minot State.

Mary caught the “love of learning” bug from her family. Her parents read to her and her siblings every day and education was always valued in her family. Her parents taught her that every day presented another opportunity to learn and explore new things.

Over the past 4 decades, Mary has put her passion for learning to use. She taught 5 years at St. Joseph School before joining the staff at Lewis & Clark Elementary, where she remained a constant figure on the staff. During that time, she held numerous titles and served on a variety of committees – Advanced Ed, Advisory, RTI, and Tech to name a few. She also mentored 8 student teachers, had the privilege of working with 5 former students, and taught under 6 different superintendents. She and Mrs. Sandra Schilke created the Lewis and Clark Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships for the last 18 years to Lewis and Clark students graduating from WHS. Through it all, she says her outlook on life and education is “so what if you didn’t get it right today! Mistakes happen; learn from them and don’t give up. Tomorrow is another day, and you can be the best you if you keep on trying”!

Mary and her husband Preston, have two sons, Preston Earl (PJ) and Tyler, including their daughter-in-law, Marie. Their son PJ passed away a few years ago. Tyler graduated from WHS, Minot State, and The Ohio State with a degree in Optometry.Marie is a ND girl that earned her degree from the Illinois College of Optometry located in Chicago. Mary and Preston are both officially retired, although Mary is continuing to sub in the district this fall.

This scholarship was created by Mary’s son Tyler and his wife Marie, in honor of Mary’s passion for education, her dedication to her students, and her outstanding career with WPSD #1.

Among the planned activities were a Friday night supper and mixer, a Saturday morning tour of the ARC Center, a bus tour of Williston with native son, Lowell Sandvik, serving as tour guide, and a banquet Saturday evening. Ray Haroldson served as Master of Ceremonies.

A Silent Auction was held during the weekend, consisting of items donated by classmates. $1500 has been given to the Coyote Foundation to aid in our mission of promoting and supporting Williston Public School District #1.

The Reunion Committee members included: Ray Haroldson, Cora Lee (Kirby) Cain, Vonnie Bradbury-Jones and Jack Anderson. Ray and Jack have agreed to co-chair the next one in five years: “Alive at 65.”