2021 Scholarships & Recipients

A Scholarship Fund created by gifts from individuals, organizations and businesses, awards education grants to selected area students. The following 57 scholarships totaling $106,500 were awarded from 31 of the Foundation’s Scholarship Funds.

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500)

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500)

Matthew Bronsdon

(2016 BRF Graduate) (2020 UW Madison Distinctive Scholastic Achievement Graduate with Double Major in Spanish and Biology)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW La Crosse
(First Year Grad School)

Course of Study: Master of Physician Assistant Studies Career Path: Physician Assistant

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Teri Syverson

(1999 Blair/Taylor Graduate)

Taylor
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Medical Adminstration
Career Path: Office Work in local Hospital or Clinic

Allan Brenengen Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Allan Brenengen Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Natalie Fischer

(2018 Lincoln Graduate)

Alma Center
Attending: Winona State University

Course of Study: Major- Elementary Education/ Reading Instruction
Career Path: Teacher

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500) James Jr. and Anna Klir Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500) James Jr. and Anna Klir Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Katlyn Leadholm

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Viterbo University

Course of Study: Nursing
Career Path: Rural Health Care

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

MacKenzie Johnson

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Radiography
Career Path: Radiologic Technologist working in La Crosse area

Thomas R. Gilles Memorial Scholarship ($500) Dean Nortman Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Thomas R. Gilles Memorial Scholarship ($500) Dean Nortman Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Kobe Nichols

Black River Falls
Attending: Lake Superior College

Course of Study: Firefighting/ Emergency Medical Technician

Career Path: Public Service – Firefighter & EMT

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500) Black River Falls Area Foundation Annual Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500) Black River Falls Area Foundation Annual Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Lauren Perry

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW La Crosse

Course of Study: Major-Biology; Minor-Spanish

Career Path: Physician Assistant Graduate School

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Andrea Rave

(1999 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Human Services

Career Path: Social Work/ Hospice

Thomas R. Gilles Memorial Scholarship ($500) Don Halverson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500)

Thomas R. Gilles Memorial Scholarship ($500) Don Halverson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500)

McKenna Dutton

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Platteville

Course of Study: Health and Human Performance/Physical Education

Career Path: Physical Education Teacher

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500)

Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500)

Ryan Simonis

(2000 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Walden University

Course of Study: PhD in Public Policy and Administration

Career Path: Continue working at Depart of Homeland Security with a specialization in National Security and Policy.

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Rebecca Ross

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Medical Administration

Career Path: Office Work in Hospital or Clinic

Richard Hilliker Scholarship ($2,000)

Richard Hilliker Scholarship ($2,000)

Elizabeth Pardoe

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UM Duluth

Course of Study: Biology B.S; Biochemistry B.A.; Spanish

Career Path: Biotechnology, Environmental Science or Medical Field

Black River Falls Area Foundation Annual Senior Scholarship ($2,000)

Black River Falls Area Foundation Annual Senior Scholarship ($2,000)

Kyle Gilbertson

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Double Major-Investment Banking & Spanish

Career Path: Financial Advisor/Planning

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Black River Falls Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Karly Stemper

(2017 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Criminal Justice

Career: Law Enforcement/ Criminal Justice

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Abigail Ross

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Whitewater

Course of Study: Major- Communication Sciences & Disorders; Minor-Adaptive Education

Career Path: Speech-Language Pathologist

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Madysen McCormick

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls

Attending: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

Course of Study: 3+2 PA Program (Biology-Health Sciences); Minor-Creativity & Inquiry

Career Path: Physician Assistant within the Mayo Health System

Alice Homstad Memorial Scholarship (Special 1 Year Award) ($2,500)

Alice Homstad Memorial Scholarship (Special 1 Year Award) ($2,500)

Kasey Roskos

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Merrillan
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Elementary Education & Special Education

Career Path: Master’s Degree in Special Education; Teach at Red Creek Elementary, BRF

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Scholarship – Taylor ($2,000)

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Scholarship – Taylor ($2,000)

Abbigail Leer

Taylor
Attending: UW Stout

Course of Study: Health, Wellness & Fitness

Career Path: Wellness Coach

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Jessica Olson

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW La Crosse

Course of Study: Accounting

Career Path: Accounting, CPA, potentially MBA

Jackson County Bank Foundation Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Jackson County Bank Foundation Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Sydney Sampson-Webb

(2019 Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Milwaukee

Course of Study: Double Major-Marketing & Human Resources  Management

Career Path: Marketing Director, Talent Acquisition, Small Business Bakery Owner

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Rotating Scholarship – 2021 BRF ($2,000)

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Rotating Scholarship – 2021 BRF ($2,000)

Kaytlin Johnson

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Concordia University

Course of Study: Radiologic Technology

Career Path: Work in a hospital close to BRF

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Olivia Hefty

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Hixton
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Major- Communication Arts; Minor-Criminal Justice

Career Path: Law School

Elizabeth Danielson Janssen Nursing Scholarship ($2,000)

Elizabeth Danielson Janssen Nursing Scholarship ($2,000)

Brasia Hjelmberg

Black River Falls
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical College

Course of Study: Nursing

Career Path: Medical Field

Lions/Rotary Scholarship ($2,000)

Lions/Rotary Scholarship ($2,000)

Gabriella Antonelli

Black River Falls
Attending: Viterbo University

Course of Study: Biology – Pre Dental Student

Career Path: Orthodontist

Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500) Ralph & Alice Lund Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500) Ralph & Alice Lund Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Madeline Diehn

Black River Falls
Attending: UM Duluth

Course of Study: Major- Biology; Minor-Spanish & Deaf Studies

Career Path: Medical School to become an OBGYN

Robert (Knuckles) Johnson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Robert (Knuckles) Johnson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Jack Anderson

Alma Center
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Marketing

Career Path: Go to School, Get a Job, Live my Best Life

Kelly Mauck Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Kelly Mauck Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Faith Leisgang

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Stout

Course of Study: Marketing and Business Education

Career Path: High School Business Teacher

Alice Homstad Memorial Scholarship-, Year 1 of 2 ($2,500)

Alice Homstad Memorial Scholarship-, Year 1 of 2 ($2,500)

Caleb Laufenberg

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Hixton
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Human Biology

Career Path: Health Science Field or Teaching

Gerald & Nancy Laabs Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Gerald & Nancy Laabs Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Jack Wirtz

(2017 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Economics

Career Path: Data Analytics Field or Environmental Economics

Philip & Aldena Meyer Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Philip & Aldena Meyer Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Brenna Roush

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Superior

Course of Study: Elementary Education

Career Path: Elementary Special Education Teacher

Alice Homstad Memorial Scholarship- Year 2 of 2 ($2,500) Krohn Clinic Physicians Scholarship ($2,000)

Alice Homstad Memorial Scholarship- Year 2 of 2 ($2,500) Krohn Clinic Physicians Scholarship ($2,000)

Emma Goodenough

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UM Rochester or UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Nursing

Career Path: Medical Field

Gerald & Nancy Laabs Senior Scholarship ($2,000)

Gerald & Nancy Laabs Senior Scholarship ($2,000)

Asia Rave

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Major- Business Administration and Entrepreneurship

Career Path: Business Owner

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)

Adelina Martinez

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Major- Sociology Minor-Criminal Justice

Career Path: Transfer to UW La Crosse for BS; PA School to become ER Physician Assistant

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)

Isabelle Aguilar

Alma Center
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical Collge

Course of Study: Dental Assistant

Career Path: Dental Hygienist

Dustin Rozmenoski Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Dustin Rozmenoski Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Danielle Johnson

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Digital Media Production

Career Path: Marketing Field

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #6 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #6 ($2,000)

Sam Lund

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Major- Education; Minor-History

Career Path: History Teacher at either High School or University

Mary Perry Fine Arts Scholarship ($1,000)

Mary Perry Fine Arts Scholarship ($1,000)

Matthew Becker

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Stout

Course of Study: Game Design & Development Art

Career Path: Working for a Game Development Studio

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #1 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #1 ($2,000)

Zoe Dal Cerro

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: New York University

Course of Study: Liberal Studies (Undecided)

Career Path: Environmental Law/Communications

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #7 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #7 ($2,000)

Abigail Nelson

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Milwaukee

Course of Study: Major- Video Production; Minor- International Business

Career Path: Video Producer/Editor

Ann Krohn Peterson Scholarship ($2,000)

Ann Krohn Peterson Scholarship ($2,000)

Isabella Cowles

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: North Central University, Minn. MN

Course of Study: Secondary Education

Career Path: High School English Teacher

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #2 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #2 ($2,000)

Kaleb Dobson

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Winona State University

Course of Study: Composite Materials Engineering

Career Path: Engineer

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #8 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #8 ($2,000)

Erin Rodenberg

(2015 BRF Graduate)
(2020 UW Eau Claire Cum Laude Graduate with BS in Psychology)

Black River Falls
Attending: University of Western States (First year Grad School)

Course of Study: Master of Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

Career Path: Certified Mental Performance Consultant

Meghan Powell Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Meghan Powell Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Jacquelyn Paul

Alma Center
Attending: Iowa State University

Course of Study: College of Human Sciences

Career Path: Undecided

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #3 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #3 ($2,000)

Anna Goldsmith

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Whitewater

Course of Study: Physical & Health Education

Career Path: Phy-Ed Teacher

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #9 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #9 ($2,000)

Eric Wojtalewicz

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Green Bay

Course of Study: Major- Psychology; Minor-Biology & Criminal Justice

Career Path: Forensic Psychiatrist

Gene & Judy Ransom Scholarship ($2,000)

Gene & Judy Ransom Scholarship ($2,000)

Molly Johnson

Alma Center
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Elementary Education

Career Path: Teaching

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #5 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #5 ($2,000)

Kimberly Leadholm

(2018 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Majors: Journalism and Political Science

Career Path: Video Journalist

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #10 ($2,000)

Peter & Jone Hoffman Alumni Scholarship #10 ($2,000)

Seth Peterson

(2020 Melrose- Mindoro Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: St. Mary’s University

Course of Study: Biology Pre- Physician Assistant

Career Path: Master’s Program for Certified Physician’s Assistant; Bring Medical knowledge back home to BRF.