2023 Scholarships & Recipients

A Scholarship Fund created by gifts from individuals, organizations and businesses, awards education grants to selected area students.  The following 61 scholarships totaling $103,500 were awarded from 31 of the Foundation’s Scholarship Funds, together with a generous 2023 donation from Kristen Albrecht in memory of her husband, Paul McNulty.

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

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

Sam Lund

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Social Studies Education
Career Path: Teacher at a High School or a University

BRF Area Foundation Annual Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

BRF Area Foundation Annual Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Eleanor Wirtz

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UM Twin Cities

Course of Study: Major-International Business; Minor-Spanish
Career Path: Plan to attend Graduate School

Richard Hilliker Scholarship ($2,000)

Richard Hilliker Scholarship ($2,000)

Abigail Hill

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW River Falls

Course of Study:  Conservation & Environmental Planning
Career Path: Wildlife Conservation & Management for WI DNR

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

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

Katelyn Dobson

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Superior

Course of Study: Major – Exercise Science; Minor – Coaching
Career Path: Exercise Physiologist

BRF High School Senior Athletic Scholarship ($1,000)

BRF High School Senior Athletic Scholarship ($1,000)

Heidi Williams

Black River Falls
Attending: Milwaukee School of Engineering

Course of Study: Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Career Path: Architecture

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Jessica Olson

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Viterbo University

Course of Study: Accounting
Career Path: Career in Accounting

BRF Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

BRF Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Faith Leisgang

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical College

Course of Study: Digital Marketing and Business Management
Career Path: Work in Eau Claire Area as a Digital Marketer

BRF High School Senior Athletic Scholarship ($1,000)

BRF High School Senior Athletic Scholarship ($1,000)

Trey Cowley

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Exercise Science
Career Path: Personal Trainer

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Makayla Nortman

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Viterbo University

Course of Study: Major- Secondary Math Education; Minor-Special Education
Career Path: High School Math Teacher

BRF Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

BRF Area Foundation Impact Scholarship ($1,000 per semester up to 4)

Rosemary Baugh

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical College

Course of Study: Nursing
Career Path: To return to BRF and work as an RN

Allan Brenengen Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Allan Brenengen Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Ruby Paul

Alma Center
Attending: UM Mankato

Course of Study: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Career Path: Speech and Language Pathologist

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Gabriella Antonelli

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Viterbo University

Course of Study: Major – Biology; Minor – Business
Career Path: Orthodontist and Dental Office Owner

BRF Area Foundation Annual Senior Scholarship ($2,000)

BRF Area Foundation Annual Senior Scholarship ($2,000)

Haylie Schmidt

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Career Path: Speech and Language Pathologist in an Elementary School

Tim & Kay Finch Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Tim & Kay Finch Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Lauren Perry

(2018 BRF Graduate) (2022 UW LaCrosse Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW LaCrosse Graduate School

Course of Study: MS in Physician Assistant Studies
Career Path: Physician Assistant

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

David & Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship ($2,000)

Elizabeth Pardoe

(2018 BRF Graduate) (2022 UM Duluth Summa Cum Laude BS in Biology and BA in Biochemistry)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW LaCrosse

Course of Study: Clinical Microbiology
Career Path: Public Health

Tim & Kay Finch Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Tim & Kay Finch Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Tyler Rush

(2014 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: EMT- Paramedic
Career Path: Paramedic

Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500)

Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500)

Natalie Gaier

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Platteville

Course of Study: Secondary Education
Career Path: High School Math Teacher

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

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

Jordyn (Hilts) Miles

(2012 BRF Graduate) (2016 BA from UW Eau Claire)

Eau Claire
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical School

Course of Study: Associate Degree in Nursing
Career Path: Registered Nurse

Tim & Kay Finch Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Tim & Kay Finch Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Asher Guenther

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Green Bay

Course of Study: Undeclared Major
Career Path: Undecided

Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500) BRF High School Store Scholarship ($500)

Duane & Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,500) BRF High School Store Scholarship ($500)

Ryder Brown

Black River Falls
Attending: University of Colorado Boulder

Course of Study: Aerospace Engineering
Career Path: Work as an Aerospace Engineer with a company such as NASA

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

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

Becca Hudson

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Hixton
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Career Path: Speech and Language Pathologist for children

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

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

Kaylee Sweno

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Major – Kinesiology; Minor – Leadership
Career Path: Family Practice Physician

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

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

Sarah Guenther

(2019 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Major – Cultural Anthropology; Minor – Psychology
Career Path: Work in Human Resources or Teach

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

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

Graham Rockouski

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Platteville

Course of Study: Industrial Systems Engineering
Career Path: Manufacturing plants to increase efficiency and utilize robotics

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

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

Alexandra Jo Hanson

Taylor
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Marketing
Career Path: Business

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

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

Lauren Lund

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Stout

Course of Study: Major – Graphic Design; Minor – Videography
Career Path: Art Director (Focus on Visual Style)

Elizabeth Danielson Janssen Nursing Scholarship ($2,000)

Elizabeth Danielson Janssen Nursing Scholarship ($2,000)

Hannah Lane

Black River Falls
Attending: UM Rochester

Course of Study: Nursing
Career Path: Registered Nurse

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Rotating Scholarship – Melrose- Mindoro ($1,000)

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Rotating Scholarship – Melrose- Mindoro ($1,000)

Megan Oehler

Melrose
Attending: Northern Michigan University

Course of Study: Pre-Medicine
Career Path: Attend Medical School to become an OB-GYN

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

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

Caleb Laufenberg

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Hixton
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Environmental Public Health
Career Path: Toxicologist and pursue Master’s Degree in Environmental Public Health

Rose Ann Klir Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Rose Ann Klir Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

McKenna Dutton

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Platteville

Course of Study: Health and Human Performance/Physical Education
Career Path: Physical Education Teacher

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Rotating Scholarship – Melrose- Mindoro ($1,000)

Leland & Jeanette Larson Memorial Rotating Scholarship – Melrose- Mindoro ($1,000)

Kadence Bailey

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Pre-med
Career Path: Neurologist

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

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

Cora Parker

(2019 Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Associate of Liberal Arts Degree
Career Path: Transfer to University to obtain Bachelor’s Degree

Krohn Clinic Physicians Scholarship ($2,000)

Krohn Clinic Physicians Scholarship ($2,000)

Michael Antonelli

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Neurobioloby
Career Path: Physician, M.D.

Lions/Rotary Scholarship ($2,000)

Lions/Rotary Scholarship ($2,000)

Jayme Koenigs

Black River Falls
Attending: St. Thomas University

Course of Study: Major – Political Science or International Studies; Minor – Spanish or another language
Career Path: Attend Law School and find a path in our nation’s diplomatic field.

Ralph & Alice Lund Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Ralph & Alice Lund Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

MaKayla Star Lopez

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Madison

Course of Study: Major – Biomedical Engineering; Minor Psychology Pre- Medicine Track
Career Path: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Alyssa Stemper

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Winona State University

Course of Study: Nursing
Career Path: Obtain a BSN, work at Mayo

Mary Perry Fine Arts Scholarship ($1,000)

Mary Perry Fine Arts Scholarship ($1,000)

Joan Strelow

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Milwaukee

Course of Study: Art
Career Path: Illustrator of Children’s Books

Kelly Mauck Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Kelly Mauck Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Avalon Falcon

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Milwaukee – School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Course of Study: Civil Engineering
Career Path: Civil Engineer

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

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

Bailey Diehn

Black River Falls
Attending: Arizona State University

Course of Study: Major – Special Education; Minor – American Sign Language
Career Path: Educational Diagnostician

Meghan Powell Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Meghan Powell Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Polly Pierson

Alma Center
Attending: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Course of Study: Major – Illustration; Minor – Business
Career Path: Artist and Illustrator

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Maren Bakken

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: St. Olaf College

Course of Study: Kinesiolgy
Career Path: Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) BRF High School Store Scholarship ($500)

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) BRF High School Store Scholarship ($500)

Evan Voss

Black River Falls
Attending: UW LaCrosse

Course of Study: Sports Management
Career Path: College Coach

Lt. Terry Preston Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Lt. Terry Preston Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Jacob Ward

Black River Falls
Attending: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Course of Study: Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement 2
Career Path: Work as a County Recreation Deputy

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Zoe Dal Cerro

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: New York University – Gallatin School of Individualized Study

Course of Study: Environmental Economics, Mgmt/Public Policy
Career Path: Environmental Consulting/NPO Administration

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Rick Millis Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Sada Stanley

Humbird
Attending: UM Twin Cities

Course of Study: Nursing
Career Path: Registered Nurse and eventually a CRNA

Gene & Judy Ransom Scholarship ($2,000) Robert (Knuckles) Johnson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Gene & Judy Ransom Scholarship ($2,000) Robert (Knuckles) Johnson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Miah Breheim

Alma Center
Attending: UW Eau Claire

Course of Study: Physical Thereapy
Career Path: Physical Therapist

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Matthew Becker

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: UW Stout

Course of Study: Game Design & Development – Art
Career Path: Work in 3D Modeling or concept design

Dean Nortman Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Dean Nortman Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Colton Carlson

(2021 BRF Graduate)

Alma Center
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical College

Course of Study: Associate Degree in Paramedicine
Career Path: Paramedic for Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service

Dustin Rozmenoski Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Dustin Rozmenoski Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Xander Shaw

Black River Falls
Attending: Chippewa Valley Technical College

Course of Study: Foundations of Teacher Education
Career Path: High School Teacher

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Paul McNulty Memorial Alumni Scholarship Award ($2,000)

Claire Bush

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: Western Technical College

Course of Study: Nursing
Career Path: Become a mid-wife and a Doula

Ann Krohn Peterson Scholarship ($2,000) Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500)

Ann Krohn Peterson Scholarship ($2,000) Black River Falls Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,500)

Isabella Cowles

(2020 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: North Central University, Minneapolis, MN

Course of Study: Secondary Communication Arts English
Career Path: Middle or High School English Teacher in a Public School

Security Financial Bank Foundation Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Security Financial Bank Foundation Alumni Scholarship ($2,000)

Lucas Cowles

(2022 BRF Graduate)

Black River Falls
Attending: North Central University, Minneapolis, MN

Course of Study: Major – Marketing; Minor – Accounting
Career Path: Work as a Data Analyst and Brand Strategist