BEST: Boyceville Education Scholarship Trust
HISTORY
In 1988 at the 30th reunion of the Class of 1958, Capt. James Harvey, USN, presented the idea for a scholarship foundation. With the involvement and guidance of several past graduates as well as friends of Boyceville High School, the Boyceville Education Scholarship Trust (BEST) became a tax exempt organization on December 23, 1992.
In 2013, the BEST board of directors made the decision to affiliate with the Community Foundation of Dunn County (CFDC). BEST now has the advantage of CFDC’s staff, professional fund management, as well as tax and legal resources that were not previously available.
An advisory committee for BEST is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation. Members of the committee are from the Boyceville community, interested in the future success of its students.
Funds are raised by solicitation and through sponsored fund raising activities. Contributions are encouraged from both Boyceville alumni, citizens, and businesses interested in promoting higher education among Boyceville graduates. BEST sets aside a portion of the funds in an endowment fund to help ensure the future of the program. An individual, family or business may also establish their own personal fund as part of BEST and CFDC’s professional staff is available to provide assistance.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
The first BEST scholarships were awarded to the Class of 1995. Since then, 400 Scholarship awards have been granted totaling $212,100 from funds under the BEST program since inception. Besides the general BEST Academic Scholarship Fund, there are also 7 named scholarship funds that make up the BEST family of scholarship funds.
The following scholarships are available through the BEST program:
B.E.S.T. ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
These scholarships are made possible by the Boyceville Education Scholarship Trust. Applicants are judged on areas including educational achievements, need, academic potential and community involvement. Multiple scholarships are awarded at $500 or $1,000 each, as determined by the Advisory Committee each year. All applicants are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Click here to donate to this scholarship fund.
WILLIAM & LEONA AMUNDSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Bill Amundson was superintendent of Boyceville Community Schools from 1969 until his retirement in 1987. During his tenure, he helped to ensure a quality education for all students. He was well-known for his approach-ability, dedication and hard work. Leona was a devoted mother, wife and gardener, dedicated to her community through service and leadership.
Projected Number of Scholarships and Amounts
Scholarship awarded for $500.00 for 1 Senior annually
Award Criteria:
The applicants must not be in the top 10% of their class.
ALAN J. CARLSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Ellen Carlson began this memorial scholarship in honor of her husband Alan J. Carlson. Alan graduated from Boyceville High School in 1967. Alan then attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout obtaining a Business Administration degree and receiving an Agriculture Extended Degree from the University of River Falls. Ellen and Alan took over the family farm. Due to his conservation nature he was one of the first to practice rotation grazing and no-till planting. The farm has wonderful woodlands due to Alan’s love of nature and trees.
Alan was an avid reader and progressive thinker. He loved learning and traveling. He was a participant in the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program. This two-year program enabled him to travel to national and international locations; so he was able to experience places like Washington D.C., New Mexico, Hungary, Turkey and Vietnam learning about issues dealing with health care, economics, different religious and cultural practices. As alumni of the program he was able to deliver medical supplies to Cuba. He traveled to China twice. His family would love to hear from you and learn about your plans for the future.
Projected Number of Scholarships and Amounts:
A Scholarship of $500 will be awarded to 1 senior each year.
Award Criteria:
- 3.0 GPA or higher preferred
- Must plan on pursuing an education in Liberal Arts or Agriculture
- Show commitment to community
LEE FRUIT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Lee Fruit was raised in the Town of Sherman, Dunn County, and graduated in 1975 from Boyceville High School. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Stout. He died suddenly at the age of 42 and his family and friends set up this memorial scholarship to honor his life and accomplishments.
Lee was an Air Force veteran, a member of the Whispering Eagles in Columbus, and an avid boater, motorcycle rider and X./19 hobbyist.
Projected Number of Scholarships and Amounts:
Scholarship awarded for $250.00 every year for 1 Senior
Award Criteria:
None
RON GRUTT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Ron was a BHS alum and was committed to raising funds to benefit graduating seniors through his leadership role on the Boyceville Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST) Committee. One scholarship is available in the amount of $850. Student applicants are judged on areas including educational achievements, financial need, academic potential, and community involvement. All applicants are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
JANELL CLARK JOHNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
As life long residents of the community, Melvin and Bernice Johnson’s quiet but industrious lifestyle on a dairy farm south of Boyceville rewarded them, their neighbors, and family in many ways. Melvin’s talents extended beyond being a good farmer; as an innovative mechanical engineer he was always creating useful tools and machines for himself and others. Bernice was a dedicated teacher in a one-room schools as well as Boyceville Elementary.
As part of their estate planning, the Johnsons wanted to establish a memorial to honor their daughter Janell, who passed away at the age of 25. In recognition of the value of education, community wellbeing, and Janelle’s drive for further education, they established a memorial scholarship to a Boyceville senior each year.
Projected Number of Scholarships and Amounts:
Scholarship awarded for $1000.00 every year for 1 Senior
Award Criteria:
Must plan on pursuing an career in teaching or nursing.
LEE AND JOAN (WEBER) KAMMERLOHR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Joan Weber Kammerlohr is a 1960 graduate of Boyceville High School. She graduated from UW Eau Claire in 1964 and later she received her Master’s Degree from Southwest Baptist University. She spent 39 years as an elementary teacher in grades second to sixth in Wisconsin, Singapore, and Illinois. She loved teaching and helping students achieve their goals.
Joan and her husband Lee want to assist a Boyceville High School graduate attain a degree in the field of education with the goal of becoming a great teacher. Their scholarship is renewable for up to four consecutive years and gives preference to those following Joan’s footsteps into Elementary Education.
PEOPLES STATE BANK SCHOLARSHIP
Since 1925, Peoples State Bank has been proud to serve the banking needs of our community. The original owner, William R. Zabel, solidified his vision with the very first branch in Plainview, MN. Since those early days, People State Bank has expanded to include branches in Elgin and Millville, MN, as well as Boyceville and Menomonie, WI. They are still locally owned and operated by the original founder’s family.
At Peoples State Bank, they put their customer’s first and provide value in everything they do. This scholarship is a continuation of that commitment to their larger community. I know the staff at People State Bank will be pleased to hear from you and learn about your future plans.
Projected Number of Scholarships and Amounts:
(1) $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually or (2) $500 scholarships
Award Criteria:
Must plan on pursuing a career in a business-related field.
JARED SCHUTZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Jared Schutz grew up in Boyceville, attended Tiffany Creek Elementary School, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the church youth group. Jared was an avid sports fan. He loved football, wrestling and any other sport that included his friends. He also loved the Green Bay Packers. Jared loved being with his friends, playing sports, and watching movies. He had a wonderful personality and was always full of laughter.
Jared’s family want to help a student from Boyceville High fulfill their dreams of a higher education with this memorial scholarship. Jared’s parents would be pleased to hear from you and learn of your plans.
Projected Number of Scholarships and Amounts:
Scholarship awarded for $500.00 every year for 1 Senior
Award Criteria:
- All applicants must have participated in sports/athletics at Boyceville High School.
- The applicants must not be in the top 10% of their class