Scholarships

Scott Bartol Scholarship

Scott Bartol was a graduate of the Berlin High School class of 1982. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he earned a degree in education. Scott began teaching for the Berlin Area School District after graduation. Later he earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and an administration degree from Marian College.

Scott was an integral part of the Berlin school community, impacting the lives of many students, teachers and families for 34 years. He retired in June 2021, after working as a Clay Lamberton Elementary School teacher, Berlin Middle School Language Arts teacher, Clay Lamberton Principal, and Berlin Middle School Principal. Scott also was a dedicated and successful coach for many years, coaching both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. Scott passed away in October of 2021.

Mr. Bartol was a strong believer in hard work, dedication, respect, discipline and kindness.  He always strived to instill those values in the students he coached, taught and worked with. Their success in becoming kind, successful individuals was his top priority. The family and friends of Scott Bartol are proud to award a memorial scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to a graduating high school senior in his name.

 2024 Scholarship Recipient: Brock Wilde

Berlin Community Scholarship Corporation

Scholarships sponsored by the BCSC for students about to begin their post-secondary studies. 

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Justin Polakowski, Lauren Burgess, Emma Boegh, Violet Daubner

Thomas & Elizabeth Butterbrodt Scholarship

Tom grew up in Beaver Dam and went on to attend UW Madison before joining the Marine Corps. Liz grew up right here Berlin and attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska for two years before graduating from UW-Madison in 1961. Tom began working at the Berlin Foundry in 1964 working in sales and other positions, eventually moving his way up to president of the company. The Butterbrodts purchased the foundry in 1986 developing it into a thriving business that would employ hundreds of people.

Because of the many hard-working people who labored in the business and community, when the foundry was sold again in 1995 the Butterbrodts decided to give back to the community through the BCSC. They choose this organization because Tom was a long-time board member and vice president of the BCSC and Liz was a BHS alum. At that time, they established two annual scholarships, a $2,000 one awarded to a high school student and a second $2,000 one awarded to a college student.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Camille Bruce-DeMuri

Class of 1960 Scholarship

The Class of 1960 believes that sustaining friendships and keeping in contact is important. In May of 2010 they were able to present their first scholarship to a graduating BHS senior. The student selected each year must be in good academic standing and the award is given after completion of a semester of college. The Class of ‘60 is happy to endow an ongoing $1000 scholarship.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Claire Bartol

Class of 1963 Scholarship

As the BHS Class of ‘63 began planning for their 50th reunion, they decided to establish an endowment that would provide an ongoing scholarship to a graduating BHS senior. They presented their very first award that same year and continue to add to their endowed amount to provide a larger scholarship.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Annelise Dahnke

Class of 1964 Scholarship

In celebration of their 50th class reunion, the Class of ‘64 established an endowed scholarship to be awarded to a graduating BHS senior.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Wyatt Hamersma

Connie Curran Scholarship

When Connie Curran graduated from BHS in 1965, she knew she wanted to attend UW Madison and become a nurse. She needed financial aid and received it in the form of several local scholarships, although not big in today’s standards, these helped her achieve her goal. More importantly, those scholarships became the impetus to Connie establishing a scholarship.

Connie, not only achieved her goal of becoming a nurse, but later become the first woman dean at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She went on to found her own healthcare company, served as the founding executive director of C-Change, a national organization dedicated to eradicating cancer, and continued to serve as a national health consultant and speaker.

She believed in giving back to one’s community, “We are all given time, talent and treasure,” said Connie, “and it’s up to us to pass those on, whether it’s writing a check or volunteering our time.” “Everyone has the opportunity to give back in the same way. For me, giving scholarships allows me to express the hope that young women will develop their leadership skills and change the world.”

Before passing in 2014, Ms. Curran had made provision in her will for an endowed scholarship to continue in her name. The Connie Curran $10,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a high school graduating female displaying academic and leadership skills.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Katherine Femali

Drexel Building Supply Scholarship

Drexel Building Supply, formerly Berlin Building Supply, has given an annual scholarship since 2002 to a graduating senior with interest in the building trades.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Trevor Clark

father max - Herchimer Award

Father Jerome J. Maksvytis (“Father Max”) served the Catholic community of Berlin when the local parishes were joined to form All Saints Parish and All Saints Catholic School. He was a driving force in completing this unification by building a new All Saints Church and Social Hall. Father Max would entertain students with stories about Herchimer, a fictional character, to provide lessons on faith, hope, and love to All Saints Students. This scholarship was endowed by Father Max to keep the spirit of Herchimer alive and is awarded to a deserving high school senior that attended All Saints Catholic grade school.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Dean McAllister
 

Eugene Ficken

Eugene has been a proud and active member in the Berlin community for many years. An annual scholarship will be given to a high school student in Eugene’s name.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Macey Rilling

Fortifi Bank Scholarship

Fortifi Bank has been Growin’ Wisconsin for over 140 years – one person, one business, one relationship at a time. With locations in Berlin, Green Lake, Montello, Ripon, Omro, Green Bay, Waunakee, and Winneconne. They take great pride in every facet of the community they serve – from homebuyers, small businesses, and local agriculture, to the area’s overall economy. They understand the importance of education and offer financial education and scholarships to graduating high schools in each of their communities. 

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Robert Gropp

Frost Family

The Richard Frost family awards two $1000 scholarships in memory of his wife, Shirley, and their daughter, Ann Marie Frost Arb. Shirley dedicated her life to the nursing profession working at Berlin Memorial Hospital for 44 years and helped educate future nurses at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. The Shirley Frost Scholarship is awarded to someone going into the nursing profession. Ann Marie Frost Arb was a 1988 Berlin High School graduate who grew up on a dairy farm and had a love for animals. Ann worked in a veterinarian’s office during her lifetime and prior to her death had gone back to school to earn a nursing degree. The Ann Maria Frost Arb Scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing either a nursing or veterinary science degree. 

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Brianna Pacurar, Josie Farmer

The Helmrick Family Scholarship

John Helmrick (class of 72) was a lifelong resident of Berlin. He was a fixture in the community- as a small business owner, as an EMT, and as a devoted son, husband, and father. While his loss in 2019 was a blow to all those who knew and loved him, his family can think of no better way of honoring his memory than by awarding an annual scholarship to a worthy member of the Berlin Community pursuing a technical education.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Molly Shearer

Karl Henke Scholarship

Karl, a ‘04 BHS graduate, is a local success story. Karl is now a Naval Reactor Engineer living in Alexandria, Virginia and working in Washington D.C. He deals with the construction, testing, operation, and maintenance of Virginia class nuclear submarines, currently specializing in the electric, instrumentation, and control aspects of the propulsion plant. He finds his work challenging and extremely rewarding. Karl says he frequently finds himself applying skills learned at BHS to his everyday work and feels that BHS helped lay the foundation for the skills necessary for him to successfully do his job. He very much appreciates the BCSC’s generous financial help years ago and says that it truly made a difference in his life. Because of this, Karl is motivated to give back to the fund that helped him more than a decade ago.

He feels a scholarship is truly an investment in the future, and in his case helped him with his goal of serving in the US Navy and working nuclear submarines. Karl has generously donated scholarship funds to BCSC and encourages other BHS grads and BCSC recipients to consider how the Berlin community invested in them and whether they too can pay it back to the next generation of Berlin scholars.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Mataya Raisleger

Ruth and Fred Krause Scholarship

Ruth, a longtime elementary teacher in Berlin, was the first person to establish a named scholarship through BCSC. Upon her retirement in 1985 she established the Ruth Krause Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating high school senior attending college to become a teacher. After her husband, Fred, passed away Ruth chose to add his name to the scholarship to honor him.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Alexia Reabe

Joshua Lesniak Memorial Scholarship

Josh graduated from BHS in 2005, and was swept away by an avalanche in 2014 while snowmobiling with friends in Colorado. Josh was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He was also a Master Certified Automotive Technician and enjoyed working on anything mechanical. Josh would say that his favorite place in the whole world was on top of the mountains. He would say, “Go big or go home” and he lived just that way through his last day of his life. Family and friends are providing an annual named scholarship to a graduating senior in his memory.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Wyatt Klick

Panoramic Financial Solutions

Panoramic Financial Solutions, a private wealth advisory firm, is proud to support young adults in their higher education endeavors.  Julie Gurkowski-Koehn, financial advisor and Berlin High School alumna, is passionate about giving back to the community and helping it thrive.

As financial planners, we recognize the rising cost of tuition can be burdensome for many families.  By offering a scholarship to a Berlin high school graduate, we aim to help make education goals become a reality.

The student selected to receive this scholarship is pursuing a degree in Business or Finance.  The Panoramic Financial Solutions team is pleased to offer this $500 scholarship annually to a graduating Berlin High School senior.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Alex Johnson

Harlo Paulsen Scholarship

Harlo Paulsen grew up on the family farm just east of Redgranite. He was educated in the Berlin School system; he was a good student and loved being part of the football team. Harlo graduated from BHS in 1962 and attended UW-River Falls for almost two years.

Returning home to help run the family farm when his father became ill, passing at the age of 52, making it impossible for Harlo to complete his college degree. When Harlo passed away in 2009, a good friend suggested establishing a scholarship in Harlo’s name. His family and friends meet each year, near the time of Harlo’s birthday, to share memories and contribute to the scholarship. It was agreed that the scholarship would be awarded to a student pursuing studies in agriculture since Harlo was “always a farmer at heart.”

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Layten Sobieski

Melvin & Mary Pederson Family Scholarships

All four of Melvin and Mary Pederson’s children (Mike, Ann, Paul & Jim) grew up in Berlin and graduated from BHS. All four also went on to graduate from UW-Madison. They decided to provide this scholarship since they all received scholarships upon their graduations and greatly appreciated both the financial help and recognition. Their parents were very strong supporters of education and believed that their children and all children should get as much education as possible. They hope that their $5000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior will help lead to the recipient’s future success in life.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Alex Budde

Ralph & Sophie Redemann Memorial Scholarship

Ralph and Sophie were two life –long Berlin area residents. Ralph graduated with the BHS class of 1938 and later enlisted in the Army proudly serving during World War II. For most of his working career he was an employee of the Berlin Tannery. Sophie graduated with the BHS class of 1936. She started as a stitcher at several different Berlin “fur and leather” companies and many years later retired as a nursing assistant from Juliette Manor. After retirement they spent many hours enjoying the activities and volunteering at the Berlin Senior Center, as well as traveling to various U.S locations.

In their memory their daughter, Donna Redemann Bersch and son in law Carl Bersch have established this scholarship. Donna is a Fox Valley Technical College instructor, who believes, as her parents did, in the importance of education and the value of a good teacher. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior entering the field of education.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Elise Whitney

Schram Ag Memorial Scholarship

The Schram Ag Memorial scholarship is established in memory of Richard, Ed & Dennis Schram, farmers who loved to work the land. They were fourth generation brothers who passed the legacy of farming to the next generation of over a 100-year family home farm. This scholarship is to be awarded to a student pursuing studies in an agriculture related field.

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Layten Sobieski, Emma Latza

Richard “Dick” Sieg Scholarship

Dick graduated from BHS in 1964, then graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1968 and later earned a master’s degree from Northern Michigan. Dick taught at Lombardi Middle School and Southwest High School in Green Bay. While at Southwest, he coached the Girls Basketball team to 6 straight conference championships and took his team to the WIAA State Basketball tournament in Madison 3 times.

When people heard Dick Sieg’s name they thought of a great math teacher, a great coach, and a great leader of the Green Bay Education Association. But he also spent countless hours volunteering within the community, especially for 2 of his favorite organizations, The Aging and Disability Resource Center and The Salvation Army. His positive attitude was reflected whenever he was asked how he was, and his response was always the same “fantastic and getting better.”

Before Dick passed away in 2015, he made provision for ongoing scholarships to be awarded in his name through BCSC. His estate is annually providing one $3000 scholarship to a graduating BHS girl basketball player and one $3000 scholarship to a student pursing a degree in education.

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Jane Hoffman, Maddie Coats

Sobralske Family Scholarship

Florence Sobralske was a one room schoolteacher in the 1940s and the early 1950s in the Montello/Princeton area. She always promoted learning and brought up her children to be inquisitive and critical thinkers. Bill Sobralske had a passion for good nutrition and was a certified dietary technician in the Madison area. He loved reading and was quite knowledgeable about literature and history. He was a very good student and loved the outdoors. The Sobralske family is enthused about helping a student further his or her education and it would give the family great joy in seeing this happen.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Jenna Nigbor

Thrivent Financial Scholarship

Thrivent Financial has provided scholarships since 2013. David & Sara Shattuck, Cathy Hargrave and Jim Carriveau proudly offer this scholarship.

The Berlin Thrivent Financial team feels strongly about the importance of education. They are passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. Helping Berlin area students further their education is a natural choice for them.

The student receiving this scholarship is ideally leaning toward a degree in Business and or Finance. The Thrivent team is pleased to offer this $1,500 scholarship annually to a graduating Berlin High School senior.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Dashiell Bowden

Anonymous 

A scholarship created by an anonymous donor who shares our organization's mission. 

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Galicia Barraza

Berlin Education Association Scholarship

The Berlin Education Association, made up of educators from the Berlin Area School District, has provided scholarships, awarded through BCSC since 1989. An annual Spaghetti dinner raises funds to provide scholarships for college students pursuing degrees in education.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Violet Lueck

Jane Bartol Memorial Scholarship

A lifelong resident of our community and graduate of Berlin High School, Jane Bartol was a nurse in Berlin and the surrounding areas for nearly 30 years. She was known to her patients and coworkers alike for her knowledge, dedication, work ethic, and compassionate, yet honest care. As someone who returned to school after starting a family to join that profession, Jane showed that education was a crucial part of her life. She was determined to pass on that same mindset to others as well, especially her children and grandchildren. To help honor her life and the career for which she was known, a memorial scholarship was established in her name to assist college students from Berlin pursuing a nursing degree.  

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Hannah Mertens

Berlin Community Scholarship Corporation

Scholarships sponsored by the BCSC for students from the Berlin area currently working on their post-secondary studies. 

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Brady Pomplun, Amber Dretske, Madison Mertens, Adam Luttrop, Jeffrey Manata, April Ryckman, Abigail Werch, Richard Ryckman, Anna Kurczek, Lily Sonnentag, Mariah Wagner, Natalie Ott, Grace Werch, Cecilia Bruce-DeMuri, Maddy Rilling, Josie Bartol, Jenna Sternitske, Luyen Pham, M. Clark, Elyse Osterberg, Kara Fritz, Madalyn Winter, Jeremy Disterhaft, Sadie Goettl, Wyatt Lind, Joseph Femali, Josh Piechowski, Kaden Fritz

Ruth and Dick Blasé Scholarship

Former elementary educator, Ruth, left provision in her will for ongoing scholarships to be awarded through the BCSC. Ruth and her husband, Dick, lived in the Berlin School District. Beginning in 2000 an annual scholarship in their names has been awarded to a college student as they complete their post high school education.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Nya Osterberg

Thomas & Elizabeth Butterbrodt Scholarship

Tom grew up in Beaver Dam and went on to attend UW Madison before joining the Marine Corps. Liz grew up right here Berlin and attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska for two years before graduating from UW-Madison in 1961. Tom began working at the Berlin Foundry in 1964 working in sales and other positions, eventually moving his way up to president of the company. The Butterbrodts purchased the foundry in 1986 developing it into a thriving business that would employ hundreds of people.

Because of the many hard-working people who labored in the business and community, when the foundry was sold again in 1995 the Butterbrodts decided to give back to the community through the BCSC. They choose this organization because Tom was a long-time board member and vice president of the BCSC and Liz was a BHS alum. At that time, they established two annual scholarships, a $2,000 one awarded to a high school student and a second $2,000 one awarded to a college student.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Ann Schmitz

Ollie & Katherine Disotell Scholarship

Ollie was a 1938 graduate of BHS and served his country in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was the assistant cashier at Farmers & Merchants Bank for 40 years and also owned several businesses. Ollie was also active in a number of civic and service organizations within the community. His wife, Katherine, loved children and helped raise three generations of nieces and nephews. Ollie and Katherine Disotell included the BCSC in their estate planning to provide ongoing scholarships to area students.

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Autumn Young, Jackson Bartol

Farmers & Merchants Bank Scholarship

Farmers & Merchants Bank is a full-service community bank that supports its customers and treats them like family. Founded in 1940 and run by the Kujawa family ever since, the compassionate family leadership structure gives the business the ability to offer flexible banking in a unique way. Farmers & Merchants Bank provides scholarships to both BHS graduating seniors and college students each year. The recipients must be in a good academic standing and the scholarships are intended to help alleviate book fees and tuition costs. 

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Cole Buttke, Laurel Miller, Camdyn Rohde

Dr. John & Herta Feren

John had been an Optometrist in the Berlin Community for many years. John and his wife Herta are currently residing in the Neshkoro area. They wish to award a named scholarship annually to a college student.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Samantha Schumacher 

Howard & Avis Kolpin Memorial Scholarship

Howard Kolpin, along with his brother Earl, started Kolpin Manufacturing in 1944. They produced quality accessories for outdoor activities and, although not located in Berlin any longer, are known around the world as a leader of quality products in the hunting industry. In 1999, Howard’s widow, Avis, created a scholarship in his name. Before Avis passed away she made provision in her will for a $5,000 named scholarship to be awarded annually to a college student with a major in business.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Anna McCarthy

Thomas & Sandra Lother

Sandra Lother taught business classes at Berlin High School for 28 years and her husband Tom was an accountant and office manager at the Berlin Fabrication Company and Foundry and its successor companies.  Sandra was part of the original committee that laid the framework for the Berlin Community Scholarship Corporation beginning in 1984. 

She continued as a BCSC board member until her retirement from teaching in 1998. At that time Sandra and Tom moved to Casco, Wisconsin to enjoy their retirement.  They live on a farm that has been in her family for over 100 years.  Sandra says, “Berlin schools and BCSC have a special place in my heart” and she and Tom are pleased to be able to help students complete their college educations with an annual scholarship. 

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Lauren Batley

Nohr Estate Scholarships

Lonnie and Adeline Nohr lived and worked in Berlin many years. Lonnie was a pattern maker at the Berlin Foundry and Adeline was a nurse at Berlin Memorial Hospital. The Nohrs wanted to provide assistance to college students enrolled in medical studies as they completed their education. Adeline recognized college costs continued to rise and she knew many students struggled to pay their costs. Before Lonnie passed away in 1994 and Adeline in 1997, they had included BCSC in their estate planning to provide two scholarships according to their wishes. Since 1998, annual scholarships totaling $2000 have been awarded to nursing students in their names.

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Chiara Chier, Ashley Cottello

David & Janice Richmond Memorial Scholarship

David Richmond was born and raised in Stevens Point, WI. After graduating high school in 1947, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. There he earned his business degree and graduated in 1953. In 1969 David went on to earn his Master’s Degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His first teaching job was in Rudolph, Wisconsin where he met his wife Janice. David taught business at the high school level for 32 years. Twenty-nine of those years were spent teaching business at Berlin High School. Janice held various positions in the business world in Green Lake, Oshkosh and Berlin. Janice enthusiastically supported the creation of this scholarship. The David and Janice Richmond Memorial Scholarship was established for a graduating senior or post-secondary student pursuing a business degree.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Kaylee Olson

Eva B. Smith Estate Scholarship

Eva B. Smith, a lifelong educator, passed away in July 2000. She left a legacy which will live on in the form of scholarships for Berlin area students. Eva was a public-school teacher and principal for many years; from 1967 until her retirement, she was a school psychologist for Cooperative Education Services Agency 13 (CESA). In the 1970s and 1980s she worked in the Berlin Area School District. Miss Smith held education in high regard and left a substantial portion of her estate to BCSC. This contribution will provide scholarships totaling $11,000 annually to be awarded in her name.

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Anna Schumacher, Emma Jenkins, Riley Beulen, Gabrielle Reiser, Alexa Fleegal, Bryce Werch, Helena Buttke

Jean Wenig Memorial Scholarship

Jean Wenig was an RN who worked at Berlin Memorial Hospital for over 30 years in various departments and positions. During those years, Jean helped establish Same Day Surgery and Home Health Care. She also trained and mentored many new staff members and volunteers. Jean greatly enjoyed staff nursing and patient care. She was most proud to have received the Human Service award in 1988. In retirement, Jean continued to contribute to her community as a volunteer for the Hospital, Mobile Meals, Senior Center, Food Pantry, Senior Living Places and at her church. Jean was a passionate, caring and determined nurse who advocated for her patients and for those in need. In her memory, Jean’s family has chosen to give a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving college nursing student.

2024 Scholarship Recipients: Katelyn Piechowski