The WBLAEF manages the following scholarships, ENDOWMENTS, AND FUNDS
The Foundation believes in recognizing and rewarding students who achieve excellence and supporting students in ways that will allow them to better engage in the educational process. The WBLAEF and WBLAS High School are working together to ensure that students are provided with information regarding all scholarships available, and we are excited to announce the addition of a Common Application for the scholarship process. Please visit the White Bear Lake Area School District WEBSITE for information on all scholarships available to students. If you are interested in setting up a scholarship under $15,000, please contact the White Bear Lake Area School District. Scholarships of $15,000 and above, please contact Lori Arnold with the Foundation. The WBLAEF does not choose recipients, but helps manage the funds to support the scholarships.
If you would like to make a donation to a specific scholarship, please click on the Donate Button here below. Be sure to specify the scholarship name you would like the donation go to, in the “Write a note - optional” section of the screen.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Excellence in Chemistry Scholarship
Provides one scholarship to a graduating senior who has excelled in chemistry. In memory of Clarence and Evelyn Barta. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Gwen and Madeline Campbell Scholarship
Provides one $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior who will pursue a degree in education. The scholarship is named for Sunrise Park Middle School teacher Gwen Campbell and her unborn daughter Madeline. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Cecelia Duffy Humanitarian Scholarship
Provides two $1,000 scholarships to one male and one female senior student who plan on attending a 2 or 4-year college/university, or trade school, have demonstrated compassion for others and are considered a positive member of the student body in the classroom and community. Cecelia was beautiful, big hearted and approached life with a bright and open smile. Her family created the scholarship in memory of their beloved 12 year old daughter, encouraging others to live a life of grace, love and dignity. (Chosen by the family of Cecelia Duffy)
Brad Engen Scholarship
Provides one $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior with a strong interest in history and/or geography who attended Sunrise Middle School. Brad Engen taught history and geography at Sunrise MS for 15 years. He coached high school football and middle school girls track. He passed away from brain cancer in 2014. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Don Foss Scholarship
Provides one $3000 scholarship annually to a student planning to pursue a major in social studies and or education. The scholarship is in honor of White Bear teacher Don Foss. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
O.M. Haugh Scholarship
Provides one $500 scholarship to a graduating student who has excelled in communications. (Chosen by Communications Department at South Campus)
Sandee Heurung Hockey Mom Memorial Scholarship
Provides one $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior who has been active in school or community activities and is playing on a boys Junior Gold or girls U19 hockey team. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Eugene and Kathleen Johnson Scholarship
Provides one $1000 scholarship annually for post-secondary education to a student who will be pursuing a degree in journalism/communication.
Kammerlohr Family Scholarship
Provides one $2000 scholarship to a graduating senior (for up to 4 years) who is planning to pursue a degree in the field of recreation in elementary and/or special education. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Kammerlohr Band Scholarship
Provides one $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior, that has been enrolled in band and/or drumline for a minimum of 4 consecutive years. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Leadership in Social Justice Scholarship
Provides one $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior who demonstrates exemplary leadership and an outstanding commitment to social justice and equity in their community.
Madelyne Benson Education Scholarship
Provides one $5,000 scholarship awarded annually to a WBLAS graduating senior for post-secondary education who plans to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and one $5,000 scholarship awarded annually to a WBLAS graduating female senior for post-secondary education who plans to pursue a degree in STEM education. This scholarship was established in 2022, to honor Madelyne Benson’s legacy as an educator who spent 37 years working in WBLAS and to recognize her many contributions to WBLAS. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Minnow Tank Effect Scholarship
Provides a unique opportunity to support Willow Lane 5th graders with both financial and social-emotional support. Beginning with the 2023-24 school year and continuing for 5 years, one or two Willow Lane 5th grade students will be designated each year to receive the Minnow Tank scholarship that will be awarded when they graduate from high school. The purpose of the scholarship is to bring meaning to Martin Luther King Jr’s quote “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” Students will exemplify the Minnow Tank values (service, teamwork, gratitude and perseverance) by providing service to others, using their gifts and talents by brightening the lives of others, embracing a growth mindset by working through challenges with a positive attitude, and showing gratitude for what they have. In addition, all recipients will meet monthly for seven years (grades 6-12) with an assigned mentor to build a positive relationship with the student and provide support, encouragement and guidance throughout their high school journey.
Scott Kephart Bricks and Mortar Scholarship
Provides one $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who exemplifies Scott’s “quiet leadership.” Named for Scott Kephart who was a WBLAS associate principal for many years. Scott worked behind the scenes on many projects and did not seek accolades for his leadership. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Jaclyn Kobilka Memorial Scholarship
Provides one $3500 scholarship to a graduating senior based on leadership, community service, financial need, student activities and scholastic achievement. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Fred Konrath Leadership Scholarship
Provides two $1000 scholarships to two student athletes (one female and one male). (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Carol Kranz Early Childhood Scholarship
Provides one $500 scholarship to an early childhood family for assistance with tuition. This scholarship fund for the Early Childhood Program has been established in memory of Carol Kranz, who dedicated her teaching career to the youngest learners in the White Bear area community.(Chosen by ECFE faculty)
Peter Meslow Live STRONG Scholarship
Provides up to four $500 scholarships annually to graduating seniors “who have demonstrated exceptional courage and determination in the face of life’s challenges.” The scholarship fund is named for Peter Meslow, a WBLAHS class of 2004 graduate who succumbed to cancer in 2005. (Chosen by Meslow family and WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Meyer Band Scholarship
Provides one $1200 scholarship to a graduating senior band student who has participated in band for grades 9-12 in the WBLA Schools. The family of Harry Meyer established a band scholarship in his memory. Mr. Meyer was a band director at WBL High School from 1953-1983. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Dr. Roger, Dixie and Amy Rasmussen Teacher Education Scholarship
Provides one $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who will pursue a career in vocational education.
Nick Rossini Memorial Scholarship
In honor of Nick Rossini, the Rossini family will provide a scholarship annually to a graduating senior. (Chosen through a drawing of all students who attend Senior awards night.)
Dan Sanville Nordic Skiing Scholarship
In honor of Dan Sanville, this provides a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who participated on the WBL Nordic Ski Team for at least three years. (Chosen by a nordic review committee)
James Schauer Scholarship
Provides for a scholarship for a graduating senior who fulfills the following criteria: 1) a special education student who wishes to pursue post-secondary education, or 2) a student who wants to become a special education teacher. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Dick Schifsky Memorial Scholarship
The Dick Schifsky Memorial Scholarship will provide one $1000 annual scholarship to a graduating senior who is planning to pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in science. Mr. Schifsky was a 1944 WBLAS graduate and was also the class valedictorian. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
Eugene H. and Joye C. Schutte Family Fund
Provides two $2000 scholarships annually to two students for post-secondary education, one who will be attending UW - River Falls and one who will be attending Minnesota State University, Mankato. Both students must plan to pursue a degree in Education.
Penny C. and Charles L. Swanum Memorial Scholarship
Penny and Charles Swanum (aka Penny Carlson) had a combined total of over 50 years experience as educators in the White Bear Lake Area Schools. Their strong belief in the importance of public education has resulted in the Penny C. and Charles L. Swanum Memorial Scholarship, which will provide two or more scholarships to be awarded annually to college bound seniors who commit to pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education with an emphasis on writing while attending a Minnesota Public College or University. Student selection will be based on scholastic achievement, leadership, school and community involvement, and financial need. These scholarships have been made possible by a $1 Million gift from Penny and Charles Swanum to the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation in 2023.
White Bear Lake Lions Club Scholarship
Provides three $2000 scholarships annually to graduating seniors based on community service, financial need, student activities and scholastic achievement. (Chosen by WBLAS High School campus faculty)
GRANTS, Funds, and awards
Chamber Band Legacy Endowment
The WBLAS High School Bands and Drum Line received a generous endowment from Dale Kammerlohr, a WBLAHS Alumnus in 2018. The initial $60,000 donation provided an immediate $20,000 for the purchase of new instruments while the remaining $40,000 is in the form of an endowment to provide for student scholarships, artist in residence projects and much more. In the 2018-2019 school year, the Endowment funded a commission for Brian Balmages, a composer, to create an original piece for the band students. This is a process that will take approximately two years and is great new opportunity for our students.
If you would like to help build the legacy of quality musicianship in our District, please visit the WLBAS Band website to contribute to the Chamber Band Legacy Endowment.
Carol Kranz Early Childhood
Provides one $500 scholarship to an early childhood family for assistance with tuition. This scholarship fund for the Early Childhood Program has been established in memory of Carol Kranz, who dedicated her teaching career to the youngest learners in the White Bear area community. (Chosen by ECFE faculty)
J. Stanly and Doris Hill Legacy Award
Nominations for the J. Stanley and Doris Hill Legacy Award are now being accepted through the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF), the Century College Foundation (CCF) and the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation (MAEF). These three area foundations, in which Stan and Doris Hill were involved, joined forces in 2006 to spread the word about the importance of volunteering within our communities. In an effort to celebrate the Hills' legacy of volunteerism, the award was created to annually honor an outstanding community volunteer. If you know of a friend or colleague who has given many years of volunteer service and is extremely committed to the WBL/Mahtomedi area, please consider nominating this individual for the award.
Nomination forms may be picked up in person at any of the three foundation offices or downloaded from our site here.
The deadline for 2020 nominations is now closed.
Joan and Jim Honsa, Sr. Memorial Student Activities Fund
Joan and Jim Honsa, Sr. were long time supporters of youth in the White Bear Lake area. Jim was instrumental in development of the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation for the sole purpose of supporting youth in his community. This fund provides access to school sponsored athletics for 6 -12 grade students who due to financial need, may not otherwise have access. Funding may include scholarship money for the student activity fee or for additional costs associated with participation in a sport.
Families/students who wish to apply for scholarship funds from the Honsa Fund may request a scholarship application from the activities office at North/South Campus or the main offices at Sunrise Park MS and Central MS or download from our website here.
This fund provides a maximum of $200 per applicant.
Lynn Mielke Distinguished Educator Award
Lynn Mielke was a speech clinician and Special Education Coordinator in the White Bear Lake Area School District.
Lynn's compassion and love for children was at the forefront of all she did. She was known as a warm and loving person who worked to create a positive environment for everyone around her.
This award was established to recognize an individual who has exemplified Lynn’s dedication and care for the students and staff in our district.
Educators are nominated by the colleagues, supervisors, students, parents or community members. Each year many wonderful, deserving people are nominated for the Lynn Mielke Award.
*The WBLAEF does not choose recipients for the scholarships, but helps manage the funds that support them.