Scholarship Funds
During the 2017-2018 year $185,000 was awarded. During the 2016-2017 year $160,500 was awarded. During the 2015-2016 year $136,500 was awarded. During the 2014-2015 year $126,000 was awarded During the 2013-2014 year $82,900 was awarded. During the 2012-2013 year $52,650 was awarded. During the 2011-2012 year $46,150 in scholarships has been awarded. During the 2012-2013 year $31,250 has been awarded. As of June 2009, $390,701.27 has been awarded in Foundation scholarships. 154 students from West Iron County High School have received Foundation scholarships as of that date.
Foundation scholarships are in three categories: (1) Continuous Endowments, (2) Limited Endowments, and (3) Future Endowments.
Continuous Endowments
Scholarship funds with accrued dividends, income, and interest sustaining awards indefinitely.
1. Joseph and Betty Andreski Scholarship
Established and First Awarded in 1995
Mr. Andreski graduated from Iron River High School in 1929 and attended the University of Michigan. He was employed by the Civilian
Conservation Corp as an educational adviser and served his nation in World War II. Upon discharge from the Army, Mr. Andreski was employed by the U.S. Forest
Service for 31 years. He was a forest consultant following his retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Andreski established this scholarship for a graduating senior of
West Iron County High School attending an accredited school of higher education majoring in forestry or environmental sciences.
Between 2012 and 2021, 8 students have received the Andreski Scholarship.
2. Dr. Robert Artwich Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1998 and First Awarded in 2005
A 1970 graduate from West Iron County High School, Robert Artwich continued his education at Northern Michigan University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and then a Master of Arts degree in Biophysics. At the University of Minnesota he received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1980. Dr. Artwich completed his residency at the Marshfield Clinic and St Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
In 1983 he moved to Oconto Falls to begin his internal medicine practice and by 1985 he established the clinic which bears his name. Dr. Artwich believed in education as the vehicle for helping others and found his purpose in treating his patients with sincere care. This scholarship is for a graduating senior of West Iron County High School attending an accredited school of higher education with a medical field major.
Between 2012 and 2021, 11 students have received the Artwich Scholarship.
3. Paula and Andrew Barton Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1999 and First Awarded in 2000
Paula Rachey Barton was born in Stambaugh, Michigan and graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1926. She and her six sisters and five brothers lived on a small farm outside of town where their father worked as a night watchman for a mining company. Paula was influenced by her teachers to complete high school and pursue a teaching career. After graduation from high school, she moved to Milwaukee to attend Milwaukee State Teachers’ College (now the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee), becoming the only person in her family to earn a college degree.
Paula took her first teaching job in 1927 in a one room school in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Three years later, she began teaching in Muskego where she remained for four years. In 1934 she married Andrew Barton who owned a diary farm in the Prospect Hill area of New Berlin. Though they never had a family of their own, they were often visited by Paula’s former students. Their farm prospered and Andrew was selected by the federal government in 1961 to represent Wisconsin farmers on a national delegation that visited a number of European countries.
The Bartons farmed until 1967, when they retired to Waukesha. Mr. and Mrs. Barton wanted to assist young people in developing a trade and in receiving training for an occupation that would enable them to lead a fulfilling and financially self sufficient life for themselves and their family. Therefore, the purpose of the scholarship is to advance the education of a graduating senior from West Iron County High School in the field of technical or vocational training.
Between 2012 and 2021, 10 students have received the Barton Scholarship.
4. Mildred DeWald Memorial Scholarship
Established and First Awarded in 2000
This scholarship is named as a memorial to Mildred DeWald, a resident of Iron County. This scholarship is to advance the education of a graduating senior from West Iron County High School in the field of special education. It is the intent of the DeWald scholarship to inspire promising teachers to rise and meet the instructional and support needs of students with cognitive and emotional impairments.
Between 2012 and 2021, 5 students have received the DeWald Scholarship.
5. George and Edla Erickson Memorial Scholarship
Established and First Awarded in 2004
George and Edla Erickson were lifelong residents of Iron County and strong advocates of the importance of education. This scholarship in their name is to advance the education of a graduating senior from West Iron County High School interested in pursuing a vocational skill or technology related occupation.
Between 2012 and 2021, 32 students have received the Erickson Scholarship.
6. Iron River Alumnus Number One Scholarship
Established in 2001 and First Awarded in 2005
Established by an anonymous donor and alumnus of Iron River High School, this scholarship is for a graduating senior of West Iron County High School attending an accredited school of higher education majoring in secondary education.
Between 2012 and 2020, 5 students have received the Iron River Alumnus Number One Scholarship.
7. Robert Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2002 and First Awarded in 2004
Mr. Johnson was a 1943 graduate of Iron River High School and he was a civil engineer graduate from Michigan Technological University. He dedicated himself to learning and to improving the education of others in his community. Mr. Johnson served as president of the West Iron County School Board, as a trustee of the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School Board, as a director of the Upper Peninsula Community Foundation, and as president of the West Iron County Education Foundation. His commitment to education continues through this scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to advance the education of a graduating senior from West Iron County High School in the field of civil engineering or, in the absence of a civil engineering applicant, another major in the field of engineering.
Between 2012 and 2021, 8 students have received the Johnson Scholarship.
8. Pauline Westman-Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Established and First Awarded in 1991
A graduate of West Iron County High School in 1969, Pauline-Westman Johnson continued her education and became a teacher. Miss Westman, as she was called by her students at the time, taught for many years at Bates Elementary prior to her marriage and relocation to Minnesota. This scholarship is for students interested in pursuing a career in elementary education.
Between 2012 and 2020, 8 students have received the Westman-Johnson Scholarship.
9. William D. Ross Family Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1995 and First Awarded in 1996
William D. Ross taught at Stambaugh High School for twenty years in Stambaugh, Michigan. His family established the scholarship to commemorate their long history in Stambaugh and to give back to the community in a meaningful way. The scholarship, which is renewable for a total of four years, is awarded to two graduating seniors of West Iron County High School who have demonstrated acceptable scholastic performance, reasonable participation in extra-curricular activities, financial need, and good personal behavior.
Between 2012 and 2021, 41 students have received the Ross Scholarship.
10. Kim (Johnson) Shamion Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2006 and First Awarded in 2007
Kim Shamion was a 1984 graduate of West Iron County High School. Mrs. Shamion attended Northern Michigan University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Marygrove College where she earned a Master’s degree. Mrs. Shamion was a third grade teacher in the Forest Park School District. Mrs. Shamion is remembered for having a zest for life, a delightful sense of humor, and she was a ray of sunshine to everyone who knew her. This scholarship is for a graduating senior of West Iron County High School that has been active in at least two (2) extracurricular activities, active in at least one (1) service organization, and personifies the "sunshine" characteristic of Mrs. Shamion in their life.
Between 2012 and 2021, 15 students have received the Kim Shamion Scholarship.
11. Curtis Vezzetti Scholarship
Established and First Awarded in 1996
Curtis Vezzetti was a pharmacist of 21 years employed by the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Vezzetti was born in Stambaugh, Michigan and graduated from West Iron County High School in 1968. He received a bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1973. Curtis Vezzetti was an avid sportsman and his faith was an inspiration to all who shared his last days with him. This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Curtis Vezzetti and is established to advance the education of a graduating senior from West Iron County High School in the field of pharmacy.
Between 2012 and 2019, 2 students have received the Vezzetti Scholarship.
12. The Charles & Yvonne Kralovec Memorial Scholarship
Established and First Awarded in 2018
Charles Kralovec served the former Stambaugh and West Iron County Public Schools for 35 years as a teacher and a principal. Charles' wife of 46 years, Yvonne Kralovec, was truly the pioneering force of bringing girls' basketball as an organized sport to the West Iron County Area. Mrs. Kralovec coached girls' basketball for 38 years to 4th - 10th graders. Ynonne was responsible for starting West Iron County's elementary and junior high programs. Mrs. K was also responsible on a volunteer basis for West Iron County's original girl's entry into the Michigan-Wisconsin Junior High Basketball League, the league that West Iron County's 7th and 8th girls still play in today. Over 1,000 girls had their experience of organized basketball under Mrs. K's guidance. Together, Charles and Yvonne volunteered for over thirty to the Community Schools Winter Games. The Charles and Yvonne Kralovec Memorial Scholarship is given to a senior girl's basketball player who is planning to continue her education.
Between 2019 and 2021, 4 student has received the Charles & Yvonne Kralovec Scholarship.
Endowments
Scholarship funds based on an annual contribution or consuming the initial principal and accrued dividends, income, and interest to generate an award within a fixed or limited amount of time, usually until the fund is expired.
1. Elizabeth "Geeda" Kezerle Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2004 and First Awarded in 2005
Born of Italian immigrant parents, Elizabeth, "Geeda" to her friends and family, began school in Caspian, Michigan unable to speak English. She entered Stambaugh High School in 1929 in Stambaugh, Michigan. It was at this time that her parents moved from the city of Caspian into the country. As a result of Geeda’s interest in playing sports and taking an active role in her class, she opted to stay in Caspian and work at a "boarding house" (bus service to school did not exist at the time).
She successfully balanced school and working at the "boarding house" cleaning for room and board. She was an excellent student, an outstanding basketball player, and a born leader. She graduated in 1933, during the Great Depression and was never able to realize her ultimate goal which was to attend college. Therefore, it was her wish to help a hard working, athletic, young woman reach her goals. This scholarship is to advance the education of a graduating female senior from West Iron County High School, which through established scholastic performance and as a member of the West Iron County High School Girls Basketball Team, will continue her education at an accredited school.
Between 2012 and 2021, 11 students have received the Kezerle Scholarship.
2. Trummer Scholarship
Established in 2004 and First Awarded in 2005
Frank and Barbara Trummer deeply value and appreciate the benefits of higher education. As summer residents of Iron County they have enjoyed our community and they have established a scholarship fund to help graduates of West Iron County High School continue their education. This scholarship is for students attending an accredited public 4-year college or university.
Between 2012 and 2021, 11 students have received the Trummer Scholarship.
3. Diane Scalcucci Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2007
Diane "Dina" Scalcucci was born on April 13, 1925, in Iron River, the daughter of the late Frank and Zelinda (Paolucci) Silvestrini. She was a lifelong resident of the area and attended the Iron River Schools, graduating with the Class of 1943. She married Leonard “Bob” Scalcucci on June 10, 1947. The couple made their home in Iron River, celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary in 1996.
Dina worked with her husband at their business “Riverside Bar and Pizzeria.” They served footlong hot dogs, Friday fish fry, and their own famous pizza. In 1971, Dina and Bob started and pioneered the first “frozen” pizza. They owned and operated “Dina Mia Kitchens” in Iron River and restaurants in Rhinelander and Florence, Wisconsin. Dina was secretary/treasurer of the business until the couple retired in 1991.
The purpose of the Diane Scalcucci Memorial Scholarship is to advance the education of a graduating West Iron County High School senior at a four-year accredited college or university with a major in music, or in the absence of a music applicant, a culinary arts major.
Between 2012 and 2021, 10 students have received the Diane Scalcucci Scholarship.
4. John W. Chmielewski Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2009
This scholarship is named as a memorial to John W. Chmielewski, a native of Iron River and an alumnus of Iron River High School. The Chmielewski Scholarship Fund was established in 2009 at the passing of Mr. Chmielewski. He named the Foundation as the beneficiary of his estate.
Mr. Chmielewski was very proud of the education he received and he felt a strong bond with the community in which he was raised. He had a keen business sense, and he wanted to share his life’s earnings with students who might otherwise not have the opportunities that he did.
Between 2012 and 2021, 76 students have received the John W. Chmielewski Scholarship.
5. The Eva C. And Joseph C. Wurzer Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2013
This scholarship is named as a memorial to Eva C. and Joseph C. Wurzer, residents of Iron County and strong advocates of the importance of education. The purpose of the scholarship is to advance the education of a graduating senior from West Iron County High School.
The Eva C. And Joseph C. Wurzer Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by their children in 2012. The Wurzer Scholarship exists because of the generous financial support and dedication of the Wurzer family. Eva C. Wurzer was an outstanding student, but due to financial hardship of her family, she was unable to pursue her education beyond high school. Both Eva and Joe instilled in their children the value of advancing their education and sacrificed their needs to allow this to happen. This scholarship is now honoring their generosity and sacrifice.
Between 2012 and 2021, 21 students have received the Eva C. and Joseph C.Wurzer Scholarship.
6. Winnifred Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2013
This scholarship is named as a tribute to Winnifred Johnson, who grew up in and last resided in Iron County. Winnie became an R.N., trained in Chicago and served our country during World War II as a field nurse. Winnie and her husband Robert R. Johnson, were instrumental in founding and establishing the Foundation for Educational Opportunity at West Iron County. Winnie served as Treasurer for many years. They both dedicated themselves to serving our community and improving the education of our youth.
Upon her death, this Scholarship was established for Winnie by her family to help advance the education of a graduating senior in the field of nursing.
Between 2012 and 2021, 9 students have received the Winnifred Johnson Scholarship.
7. Toby Brozoznowski Family Scholarship
Established in 2021
Toby Brzoznowski is a West Iron County graduate of 1988. He realized his choice to attend the University of Michigan pushed him to excel. This family scholarship is awarded to a student that is going outside their comfort zone of regional schools and leaving their family and friend networks with aspirations to achieve bold and lofty goals.
1 student has received the Toby Brzoznowski Family Scholarship
