Bruce Schley and Roger Brunn were longtime friends and construction colleagues with a shared passion for working with their hands and shooting the breeze – especially if that breeze was in the woodshop, on a golf course, or at a vacation getaway.

Bruce graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1976 and started his own business remodeling homes in the Menomonie area. He was a loving husband and father and an expert craftsman whose passion was doing the detail work on his cabinets, which he was well known for. Roger graduated from Menomonie High School in 1971. He was a caring, hardworking man and father with a strong work ethic and good-humored nature that put a smile on the faces of those around him. Bruce and Roger were colleagues through their careers in the construction industry and became close friends over the years, often spending their free time together playing golf or taking trips.

Roger passed away from suicide in 2009 and Bruce lost his battle with cancer in 2016. Their families, fellow colleagues, and business partners established this scholarship as a way to memorialize their lives and recognize like-minded individuals with a passion for working in a construction related trade.

Funds raised at the annual Builders FirstSource Golf Outing allow multiple $1,000 scholarships to be awarded each year to graduating seniors from Boyceville, Colfax, Elk Mound, or Menomonie High Schools going into construction, with preference for students whose life has been impacted by cancer or suicide. (Golf Event Contact: “Shooter” Steve.schutte@bldr.com 715-308-2151).

Scot Miller of Colfax, WI, was a loving son, husband, father, brother, and grandfather who fully enjoyed and embraced the family life. He attended Elk Mound High School, graduating in 1980 and went on to graduate from UW-Eau Claire with a Physical Education degree in 1985.

Scot was a multiple sport athlete in high school and went on to become a coach and mentor to many, including coaching his children’s little league teams. He was beyond proud of his four children and took the most joy out of watching them grow and play sports in his footsteps. He loved to travel and he and his wife Bobbie enjoyed many wonderful trips together. Everywhere that Scot went, his humor and spirit brought warmth and joy.

Scot was a proud business owner of Fleet Feet in Menomonie for 21 years and owned the Whitetail Golf Course for 11 years, until his unexpected death in a car accident in 2018.

His family established a scholarship fund in his loving memory to support area students who most live up to Scot’s example of humble leadership, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to the community. Three $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually, with one going to a graduating senior from Menomonie, Colfax, and Elk Mound high school. Applicants must have participated in (2) or more extracurricular or sports activities. Preference will be given to those who have participated at the varsity level or who have had experience coaching youth sports. Preference is also given to applicants who submit a letter of recommendation, ideally from a coach.

All applications are shared and submitted through the participating high school’s guidance department.

Click here to donate to this scholarship fund.

• Stop the Bleed Classroom Kits – training staff, and students in health classes in ‘Stop the Bleed’ skills, and also developing Stop the Bleed kits for all classrooms to have the supplies and knowledge of how to respond in an emergency.

• First Chapter Fridays – to purchase multiple copies of a variety of books and then read the first chapter of a books to students each Friday to expose them to various genres and allow students to share the books and take them home to read.
• Update Classroom Library – to purchase furniture for a classroom reading nook, as well as to purchase additional literature that specifically represents 10th and 12th grade reading levels, interests, and challenges.
• Colfax Ice Fishing Team – to purchase gear, bait, and accomidations to introduce students to ice fishing and area ice fishing tournaments.
• COVID-19 Response for Youth Mental Health

• Viking Pride – to help with student unmet personal needs, including, but not limited to students in foster care, homeless students, warm weather clothing drive, food insecurities, and family tragedies.
• Inclusive Classroom Library – To increase the number of books that reflect the many different struggles and lifestyles of the student body.
• Walking Club for Physical Activity – To offer a Walking Club for students who are not involved in competitive athletics but still want to participate in physical activity.