Quad Cities Community Foundation Gives Nearly Half Million in New Scholarships
The Quad Cities Community Foundation Monday announced the recipients of nearly half a million dollars in new scholarship awards. With scholarships ranging from $500 to $11,000 going to 49 students, including nine receiving more than one award, the funding — and the opportunities it can unlock — are significant.
Sherry Ristau is president/CEO of Quad Cities Community Foundation.
“Throughout the pandemic, these students have remained focused and resilient, keeping their eyes on the future,” said Sherry Ristau, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “As they go out into the world and continue to learn, grow, and go after their dreams, I can’t wait to see what they do.”
As a former recipient of the Central High School Teacher Education Scholarship and a current middle school science teacher, Bailey Nelson of Davenport has a firsthand appreciation of the lasting impact this kind of financial assistance can have on ambitious students, according to as foundation release.
“The opportunity to pursue my education and extracurricular activities with laser-sharp focus undoubtedly changed my perspective on education — and my career path in general,” said Nelson, who has also founded an online learning company (Seed & Stem Learning Center) and
Kelly Thompson is vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives at the Community Foundation.
is pursuing a master’s degree in education at Western Illinois University.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do any of these things were it not for the Community Foundation, the donors who give to it, and the scholarship I received.”
Just over half of this year’s scholarships are renewable, provided that students continue to meet the criteria. Accounting for previously awarded scholarships that are renewing this year, the total being distributed exceeds $500,000.
Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives at the Community Foundation, emphasized the gratitude owed to the donors who make the scholarships possible.
“Without their belief in transforming the region through generosity, we would not be able to celebrate the achievements of these students this way,” she said.
The following students received 2021 scholarships:
- Sarah Babka, Pleasant Valley High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
- Connor Becker, Maquoketa High School—Great River Bend Cyclone Award Scholarship
- Julia Bernat, West High School—Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship
- Meghan Brewster, Davenport Central High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship
- Nuong Bui, Scott Community College—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
- Nuong Bui, Scott Community College—John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship
- Dillon Burt, Davenport West High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
- Liliana Buxbaum-Lara, Davenport Central High School—Donna Jean Arzberger Memorial Scholarship
- Kayla Canning, Rock Island High School—William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship
- Alana Collins, Scott Community College—Morency Family Scholarship
- Dustin Cornelison, Davenport West High School—Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial Stem Scholarship
- Rheanna DeCrow, Bettendorf High School—Corky Kress Golf Scholarship
- Rheanna DeCrow, Bettendorf High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
- Anna Do, Alleman Catholic High School—Morency Family Scholarship
- Lillian Duffield, Davenport Central High School—Morency Family Scholarship
- Roberto Farinacci, Palmer Chiropractic College—Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship
- Edgardo Gonzalez Diaz, Black Hawk College—Quad Cities Mexican American Organization Scholarship
- Matthew Gray, Mercer County High School—Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School
- Allison Greenwood, Davenport North High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship
- Ethan Hancock, Davenport West High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship
- Natalie Hansen, Moline High School—P.E.O. Chapter BL – Blanche Wood Music Award
- Gabriella Haywood, Davenport Central High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship
- Ethan Jakubsen, Davenport West High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship
- Olaoluwa Johnson, Davenport West High School—Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship
- Olaoluwa Johnson, Davenport West High School—Gustav A. & Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship
- Kaylee Kiefer, University of Central Florida—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
- Olivia Lynch, Assumption High School (Davenport)—Paul and Beverly Eckert Scholarship
- Yuliana Marceleno Lopez, Davenport Central High School—Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education
- Yuliana Marceleno Lopez, Davenport Central High School—Frances S. Wolfe Memorial Scholarship
- Abby McLeland, Davenport Central High School—James W. Victor Scholarship
- Abby McLeland, Davenport Central High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
- Brady O’Neil, Davenport West High School—Bill & Hilda Macomber and Alta Kahl Scholarship
- Yasmin Pannell, Moline High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship
- Aditi Parab, Pleasant Valley High School—Jayne Lee Andreesen Memorial Scholarship
- Ava Peitz, Holy Trinity Catholic High School—Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship – Citizenship
- Ava Peitz, Holy Trinity Catholic High School—Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship – Medical
- Natalie Peters, Bettendorf High School—Elise Brett Scholarship
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Bailey Nelson, a former scholarship recipient, is founder and CEO of the Seed & Stem Learning Center.
Zoe Sophia Potter, Moline High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
- Zoe Sophia Potter, Moline High School—Louis F. Bulechek Memorial Scholarship
- Zoe Sophia Potter, Moline High School—Richard J. Collins Scholarship
- Alejandra Raya, Moline High School—Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship
- Jordan Rice, Rock Island High School—August & Edna Zahatko Scholarship
- Jordan Rice, Rock Island High School—Rock Island High School Class Of 1956 Scholarship
- Josie Said, Wilton High School—Loren and Tammy Bockwoldt Family Scholarship
- Samantha Sancen, United Township High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship
- Colton Sigel, Rock Island High School—Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship
- Haley Simmons, Moline High School—Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship
- Haley Simmons, Moline High School—Morency Family Scholarship
- Kennedy Sullivan, Davenport West High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
- Allison Swiger, Rivermont Collegiate—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
- Anna Thompson, Davenport Central High School—Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship
- Hagen Walker, Davenport North High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship
- Kirsten Webber, United Township High School—Ligino Family Scholarship
- Sierra Wegener, Northeast Community High School—Morency Family Scholarship
- Cierra White, Davenport West High School—Morency Family Scholarship
- Karissa Willems, Sherrard High School—Clifford and Louise King Scholarship
- Paige Womack, West Liberty High School—Helen Maurer Simmons Scholarship
- Lauren Young, Des Moines University—Dr. Anita L. Pinc Memorial Scholarship
- Yu Hong Zheng, United Township High School—Gene S. Duke Scholarship
The Quad Cities Community Foundation is home to hundreds of endowment funds — started by individuals and organizations — that create a financial foundation for nonprofits and support the Quad Cities region today, and far into the future.
For more information, visit www.qccommunityfoundation.org.
