Dozen area students get Kohl scholarships

A dozen area high school students received scholarships from the Herb Kohl Education Foundation this year.

Named as Herb Kohl Educational Foundation 2020 Student Excellence Scholars were Scott Russell, Abrams; Elizabeth Kallies, Oconto Falls; Isabella Rennie, Oconto Falls; Alyssa Strassburg, Wittenberg; Kaitlyn Martin, Pulaski; and Nathaen Wanta, Tigerton. Excellence Scholarship recipients have demonstrated excellence in the academic arena and high motivation to achieve, have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership outside the academic setting, and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond.

Receiving Student Initiative Scholarships were Saige Corso, Bowler; Cedar Olson, Oconto Falls; Bailey Pedersen, Gillett; Amy Quinn, Shawano; Deakyn Suess, Birnamwood; and Andrew Perrault, Pulaski. Initiative Scholarship recipients, chosen by their schools, have demonstrated exceptional initiative in the classroom and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond, but have not yet received other academic-based scholarships.

The selection committee for the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Student Scholarship, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership program has announced recipients of the 312 Herb Kohl Foundation awards for Wisconsin students, teachers and principals. Awards in the amount of $6,000 were made to 100 teachers, 16 principals, and their schools, and $10,000 scholarships were given to 193 graduating high school students.

Scholarship recipients are selected by a statewide committee composed of civic leaders, and representatives of education-related associations and the program’s co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools (WCRIS), regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and the Wisconsin Parents Association.

“I think it is significant that Wisconsin’s students, teachers, principals and schools are recognized for their devotion to education and learning,” said Dr. Chris Cody, WCRIS board president.

The Kohl Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship program was established by Herb Kohl, philanthropist and businessman, in 1990. Currently in its 30th year of recognizing educational excellence, the foundation has awarded $20.9 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students and schools.

“Education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation. I am very proud of the accomplishments of these students, teachers, and principals and look forward to the great contributions they will make in the future,” Kohl said.