Norwalk Endowment Fund 2024 Scholarships

 Endowment Fund for Norwalk City Schools General Scholarship

The Endowment Fund for Norwalk City Schools is a community-based organization designed to provide a stable source of funding for non-required school programs. Its community purpose is to fund programming in areas such as music, art, drama, other extracurricular activities, educational programs, student scholarships, faculty grants and the Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center. Through their efforts each year, the Endowment Board offers these general scholarships for NHS graduating seniors continuing their education through any four-year, two-year or certificate program at a college, university, community college, or trade school.

Carmel Jean and Carl J. Boehler College Scholarship
This scholarship commemorates Carmel Jean and Carl J. Boehler, who created this scholarship as a supplementary fund for those students, who, not withstanding their work ethic and parents’ support, still have financial needs for their college experience. This scholarship is renewable annually for up to four years if certain reapplication and performance criteria are met, which means once this scholarship is awarded, the recipient should reapply each year for up to four years total. Your college academic performance must be proven for each subsequent reapplication.

Brent Sellers Scholarship (majoring in education)
This scholarship commemorates Brent Sellers, who was the principal at League St. School for 16 years. During his tenure there, he regarded the staff and students at League as his family. He passed away in the fall of 2002, after battling leukemia for many years. One of his final wishes was that a scholarship be established in his name. The recipient would be a student who was planning on continuing his/her education after graduating from high school and majoring in education.

Class of 1959 Scholarship
This scholarship commemorates the NHS Class of 1959. Applying students must be a Norwalk High School graduating senior, must be in the bloodline of a 1959 class member (this includes adopted children/step children/grandchildren, nieces/nephews, cousins, etc.) and can be enrolled in a college, university or trade school. This scholarship requires you to complete Section 9 of this application.

If no student meets these criteria, the scholarship will be awarded to the next eligible applicant.

Dylan R. Flew Memorial Scholarship (two scholarships available, soccer player)
This scholarship is honoring the memory of Dylan R. Flew, a 2003 NHS Graduate and 3 year letter winner in Soccer in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Dylan was a part of the 2000 and 2001 Sectional Championship Soccer Teams. In 2002, he was named 1st Team Northwest and Central District player and 2nd Team Independent Conference player. Applicants must have maintained the required athletic GPA to play sports throughout their NHS athletic career. With both scholarships, a preference is to be given to a NHS soccer player, male or female. This scholarship requires you to complete Section 8 of this application.

If no soccer players apply, both scholarships will be awarded to the next eligible applicants.

Jake Gelvin Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is being presented to you honoring the memory of Jake Gelvin. Jake traveled a circuitous path. He was born John E. Gelvin, Jr., in Greensburg, IN, on the 15th day of March, 1948. His parents, John and Helen, together with his older brother, Bill moved to Norwalk in 1954. Jake was six. He was enrolled in Benedict School and continued through graduation from Norwalk High School in 1966. Those days were filled with forming friendships for life, playing cello in the orchestra, excelling in basketball and track and all the while soaking up as much knowledge as there was to offer. He continued his education at American University, the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Oregon where he obtained his doctorate. In between studies he served in the US Coast Guard, tried his hand at woodworking in the Colorado Rockies, taught at the California State University at Chico before moving back to Norwalk in 1983 when he entered the business world as owner/operator of the Bleile Supply Co. He met and married his wife Deborah in 1984 and in 1992 became a father to Brady. Two years later he was diagnosed with Carcinoid Syndrome, a rare form of cancer. He continued to run his business until 2002 all the while being active in this community. The cancer took him from us October 6, 2005. Jake was an honorable man who embraced life, recognized opportunities for learning in and outside the classroom, looked at each day as a gift from God. He had a tremendous sense of humor and respect. He believed that each of us should give back to our community. He continues to affect lives in a positive manner through this scholarship.

Hannel Scholarship (majoring in business)
This scholarship commemorates Lloyd R. and Margaret L. Hannel who operated the Country Counter, a local meat business, for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hannel loyally supported Norwalk High School and wished to provide the opportunity to assist students with obtaining a business education.

Norwalk Lions Club Scholarship (two scholarships available)
The Norwalk Lions Club has been serving the community of Norwalk since 1946. The club consists of local men and women from all walks of life who share a serious commitment to community service and improvement. The Lions are involved in many projects that support the citizens of Norwalk. Among these projects are the annual 4th of July parade, the Breakfast of Champions at Norwalk Middle School, purchasing eyeglasses for individuals who cannot afford them, and providing scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Any graduating senior from Norwalk High School is eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Nick and Dave Kluding Indian Guides Scholarship
This scholarship commemorates Nicholas James Kluding, who was born on October 31, 1978 and was a 1997 NHS graduate. He was interested in skateboarding, snowboarding and other outdoor activities. This interest of the outdoors led to his involvement in the “Norwalk Indian Guides,” which is a father and son organization whose motto is “Friends Always and Pals Forever.” Nick and his father David Ralph Kluding, became charter members in 1988. Dave went on to be “The Nation Chief.” After Nick's death in 2000 this scholarship was established to "help a student who wishes to further his/her education in a technical field."

Dave graduated from NHS in 1971. He started Wilcart RV in 1979, and with his own "sweat equity" he successfully built it to what it was at the time of his death in 2005. The monies were then combined to fund future recipients. The Kluding family’s hope is that this scholarship will help someone that might not have had the chance.

This scholarship commemorates Melvin (Mike) L. Battles III – a proud, lifetime Trucker! Mike was born in the Maple City on September 30, 1935 and attended Norwalk public schools until he graduated in 1953. He was a 3-sport varsity athlete and played for the legendary Trucker, Grant Walls, in football, basketball, and golf. The lessons he learned and the bonds he created with his teammates and Mentor endured long after the final whistle. Mike attended the prestigious Dartmouth College where he lettered in Lacrosse and graduated in 1957. After graduation, Mike served in the United States Army. Once he had completed his term of service, he returned to Norwalk to join his father, Leighton, at Battles Insurance Agency and raise his family. He took great pride in being a resident of Norwalk, and was a dedicated supporter of our public schools and our varsity sports teams. In order to honor his passion for varsity athletics and academic excellence, we have created this scholarship in his name to be granted annually to a graduating male or female 3-sport athlete to further their education. Go Truckers!

Carol Mason Music Scholarship (majoring in a music-related field)
The Carol Mason Music Scholarship is awarded annually to a Norwalk High School graduate that intends to enroll in a music related college program of study. Mrs. Mason utilizes her dedicated talent to transform and inspire students through music. Her enthusiasm and demonstrated joy in music has developed talent and character while motivating students and providing a strong role model. Applicants must demonstrate further study of music during high school that is outside of the classroom. This may include extracurricular activities, private lessons, performances, or attendance at instructional music programs. Students should have four years of choir. If no applicant meets this criteria, general music, orchestra, or band is acceptable. A brief 150 word essay on why a music career is important to the student is required.

Oglesby Construction Scholarship
Established in 1982 by the Oglesby Construction Company, this scholarship is for black students of the Norwalk City School District that desire to gain post-secondary education in a trade, technical, or college program of study. Applicants must be a United States citizen of black descent and should be in the top 40% of their graduating class.

Margaret Noel Swanbeck Memorial Scholarship (majoring in art-related field)
Margaret Swanbeck was someone who truly loved music, theater, and visual arts. Her passion for all fine arts was apparent in her participation on the stage, in the classroom, and in support of her fellow artists and musicians. Margaret, who would have been a member of Norwalk High School’s Class of 2019, was a positive, caring, creative person that left a lasting effect on those who were lucky enough to know her. This scholarship is being given in her honor to a student that has clearly demonstrated an appreciation of art throughout high school and plans to major in an area of fine arts.

Mike Gordon Scholarship (majoring in education)
This scholarship honors the memory of Mike Gordon, teacher, principal and assistant superintendent of Norwalk City Schools. Mike had a heart for educators, students and sports. He credited his career to a football coach who encouraged him to further his education. The recipient should be a student athlete who is planning on continuing his/her education after graduating from Norwalk High School and majoring in education. Applicants must have maintained a GPA of 3.0 throughout their NHS athletic career.

Arthur Dickman Vocational Scholarship
Mr. Dickman was a man who always worked with his hands - first as a farmer, then as a railroad worker and meat cutter, and finally a journeyman millwright for Ford Motor Company. With that legacy in mind, preference will be given to those students who plan to attend a 2- year technical school or otherwise pursue post-secondary vocational training.

Rachel Hipp Scholarship Fund
This scholarship has been established to honor long-time Norwalk City Schools teacher Rachel Hipp. The recipient should be a graduating senior who is planning to continue his/her education after graduating from Norwalk High School at a 4-year university, 2-year university, technical college, or CDL training. Applicants must have maintained a GPA of 2.5 throughout their NHS career.

NHS Class of 1972 Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship has been established to honor the classmates and friendships forged in the Class of 1972 and pay it forward to future graduates of Norwalk High School. The recipient should be a graduating senior who is planning to continue his/her education after graduating from NHS. Applicants must have maintained a GPA of 2.5 throughout their NHS career.

Alli Jo Kurdinat Memorial Scholarship (band member)
This scholarship has been established to recognize one band member annually in Alli Jo's memory. The recipient must be a graduating senior who is a member of the Norwalk High School Band. He/She must have maintained a minimum GPA of 2.5 throughout high school and be pursuing post-secondary education at a 4-year college, 2-year college, technical college, or in CDL training.