Pikeland Public Schools Foundation awards $24,500 in scholarships
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Top row, left to right: Karley Bogatzke, Marissa Burdick, Kaitlyn Cox, Breanna Fox, Phillip Graham and Nathan Gunder. Bottom row, left to right: Carter Klatt, Emma Saxe, Taylor Scott, Nathan Scranton, Raegan Smithers and Adileigh West.
The Pikeland Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to enhance the educational experience of the students in Pikeland School District #10. The Foundation was established in 1988. The board is comprised of 12 volunteer business and educational leaders whose primary focus is to oversee the investment and appropriate funds as they are bestowed to the Foundation for scholarship and school project purposes. Each year the Foundation awards a number of scholarships which may be used to attend trade schools, technical/vocational schools as well as colleges and universities. They are awarded to past and current graduates of Pittsfield High School. Scholarship decisions are based on student financial need, scholastic abilities, leadership qualities, service to school and community, dignity of character, and the desire to further one’s education. This year the Pikeland Public Schools Foundation was pleased to be able to award $24,500 to be distributed among nineteen scholarships and are as follows:
Helen Harman Scholarships
The Harman Scholarship is made possible through a generous bequest from Miss Helen Harman who had a long career as a history teacher at Pittsfield High School and was a very community-oriented individual.
Recipients for 2022 are:
• Ellen Geisleman, the daughter of Rachel and Jimmy Geiselman, is a past graduate of Pittsfield High School and currently attending West Virginia University pursuing her master’s degree in health science to become a physician assistant.
• Nathan Scranton, the son of Eric and Lisa Scranton, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He plans to attend the University of Illinois college of ACES and major in agribusiness in finance.
• Alayna Scranton, the daughter of Eric and Lisa Scranton, is a graduate of Pittsfield High School and a senior at the University of Illinois. She plans to pursue the master’s in accounting science program at the University of Illinois to become a CPA. Cherise Anderson, the daughter of Calvin and Charlene Anderson is a graduate of Pittsfield High School currently attending Bradley University majoring in biomedical science with a pre-med concentration. She plans to become a pediatrician.
• Emma Saxe, the daughter of Dr. Matt and Faith Saxe, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering and participate in an Army ROTC program.
• Adileigh West, daughter of Gary and Denise West, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She plans to attend Illinois State University and major in nursing in order to become a travel nurse and then a nurse practitioner.
Gary and Linda Woods Academic Scholarship
The Gary and Linda Woods Academic Scholarship was established by the couple’s four children, Greg, Tadd, Megan and Kendra Woods. Gary and Linda worked for 42 and 19 years respectively in the Pikeland School District and both continue to volunteer their time for the betterment of the district. This scholarship is open to current PHS seniors pursuing any field of study with an emphasis on academic achievement.
• Recipient for 2022 is Emma Saxe, daughter of Dr. Matt and Faith Saxe. She will be a 2022 graduate of PHS and plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering and participate in an Army ROTC program.
Emma Reinhardt Scholarship
The Emma Reinhardt Scholarship is made possible through a generous bequest from Emma Reinhardt. She was a teacher and an active member of the Pittsfield Business and Professional Women’s Club and strongly advocated for access to education for all. This scholarship is open to current seniors and past PHS graduates in any field of study.
Recipients for 2022 are:
• Breanna Fox, daughter of Joshua and Nicole Fox. She will be a 2022 graduate of PHS and plans to attend John Wood Community College, transfer to a university in Illinois and study high school education to become an educator.
• Ashley Bradley, daughter of Dawn Adams and Chris Johnson. She is a past graduate of PHS and is dually enrolled at John Wood and WIU while pursuing a teaching degree in special education.
Stickman Scholarship
The Stickman Scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from Ray and Marian Stickman. Stickman Scholarships are awarded to deserving Pittsfield High School graduates attending Illinois institutions of higher education.
• The 2022 recipient is Karley Bogatzke, daughter of Kurtis and Gretchen Bogatzke. She will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School and she plans to attend John Wood Community College to study to become a crop consultant.
Warren and Vera Barrow Family Scholarship
The Warren and Vera Barrow Family Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Dr. Warren Barrow and his wife, Vera Barrow. This scholarship is open to PHS seniors pursuing any field of study.
• The 2022 recipient of this scholarship is Marissa Burdick, daughter of Alvin and Karissa Burdick. She will be a 2022 graduate of PHS and plans on attending John Wood Community College for one year and then transfer to a four year college in Illinois to pursue a degree in elementary education.
Friends of Ag Scholarship
The Friends of Ag Scholarship was started by Charles (Chief) Ferguson who was a PHS Ag teacher and is awarded to a PHS Student who is a member of FFA and whose plans include majoring in agriculture.
• The 2022 recipient of this award is Nathan Gunder, son of Bruce and Sarah Gunder. He plans to attend the University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign at the college of ACES and major in agricultural engineering.
Thomas J. Johnson Scholarship
The Thomas J. Johnson Scholarship is made possible by the family and friends of Tom Johnson who was a drivers’ education teacher at PHS. The scholarship is awarded to a PHS graduate who has high academic standards, Saukee pride, participates in extra-curricular activities, possesses a drive and dedication to success in reaching his/her goals.
• The 2022 recipient is Phillip Graham, son of Danny and Jenny Graham. Phillip will be a 2022 PHS graduate and is undecided on where to attend college. Phillip plans to major in pre-med or chemistry, attend a medical school and eventually become a physician.
Dee Cox Nursing Scholarship
The Dee Cox Scholarship is made possible by the family and friends of Dee Cox. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate of Pittsfield High School who through their contributions best exemplifies Saukee Pride, Spirit, Drive and Dedication. Selection goes to a student who is pursuing a nursing career, has proven records of achievement, scholarship, and leadership.
The 2022 recipients are:
• Carter Klatt, son of Josh and Nikki Klatt, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He plans to attend John Wood Community College and pursue a degree in nursing.
• Taylor Scott, daughter of Jason and Erika Scott, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She is undecided about where to attend, but will pursue a degree in nursing.
• Raegan Smithers, daughter of Jason Smithers and Noelle Flesner, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She plans to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago to earn her degree in nursing and then a medical degree.
• Adileigh West, daughter of Gary and Denise West, will be a 2022 graduate of Pittsfield High School. She plans to attend Illinois State University and major in nursing in order to become a travel nurse and then a nurse practitioner.
Wally Groom Agricultural Scholarship
The Wally Groom Ag Scholarship is awarded to one female and one male graduate of PHS pursuing an ag related major in a two or four year college, university, or ag related trade school, technical or vocational school.
The 2022 recipients are:
• Kaitlyn Cox, daughter of Jeffrey and Amy Cox. She plans to attend John Wood Community College for two years and transfer to a four year university and major in ag business.
• Nathan Gunder, son of Bruce and Sarah Gunder. He plans to attend the University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign at the college of ACES and major in agricultural engineering.
