Willmar, MN – The Willmar Area Community Foundation, in conjunction with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, is pleased to announce that 24 students from Willmar and the surrounding area received $28,500 in academic scholarships for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year.

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation administers 80 separate scholarship funds, several which serve Willmar and surrounding area schools. These scholarships were established by individuals, families, and businesses to support area students in their educational pursuits.

“These scholarships are providing students the financial resources and community support they need to attend college and pursue their dreams,” said Susan Lorenz, CMCF Director of Programs. “By awarding these scholarships, our donors are saying ‘We’re behind you. We’re rooting for you.’”

Scholarship recipients for the 2011-2012 school year are:

Michael	Kramer	Hector	MN	Adams Family Scholarship	$ 1,250
Ryan	Larson	Atwater	MN	Adams Family Scholarship	$ 1,250
Luke	Maurer	Atwater	MN	Adams Family Scholarship	$ 1,250
Martin	Peterson	Grove City	MN	Adams Family Scholarship	$ 1,250

Marie	Pederson	New London	MN	Bernick's Family Scholarship	$ 2,000

Erica	Jacobs	Atwater	MN	Harold Bjur Scholarship	$ 500
Matthew	Lee	Grove City	MN	Harold Bjur Scholarship	$ 500
Glenn	Nelsen	Atwater	MN	Harold Bjur Scholarship	$ 500
Martin	Peterson	Grove City	MN	Harold Bjur Scholarship	$ 500

Carrie	Boike	Willmar	MN	Odette Hedlund Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Mitchell	Fader	Willmar	MN	Odette Hedlund Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Haylee	Hastad	Willmar	MN	Odette Hedlund Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000

Natalie	Decker	Darwin	MN	Evelyn Lenander Scholarship Fund	$ 4,000
Mitchell	Kent	Benson	MN	Evelyn Lenander Scholarship Fund	$ 2,500

Ryan	Horning	Willmar	MN	Dr. Austin & Muriel McCarthy Family Scholarship	$ 1,000

Allison	Ruter	New London	MN	Marv Otto Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000

Erin	Chambers	Willmar	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Amy	Donner	Clara City	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Nicolas	Dykstra	Willmar	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Kailee	Epema	Clara City	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Andrea	Ervin	Maynard	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Khia	Lohse	Raymond	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 1,000
Leah	Trulock	Clara City	MN	Joshua Palke Memorial Scholarship	$ 2,000

The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1998, WACF has grown to nearly $7 million in assets and awarded $2 million in grants to local nonprofits. WACF is affiliated with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, which administers more than 500 funds totaling more than $65 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Willmar.

NEWS RELEASE

Foundation Awards $28,500 in Scholarships

24 Students from Willmar Area Receive Support