Scholarships

Scholarship Applications Due Feb. 17

The Portage Education Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of the following scholarships for graduating seniors. The scholarships are one-time awards, paid directly to the college during the summer, and range from $500 to $4,000.

Applications will be available online and in the high school counseling offices beginning Nov. 18. Call the Foundation at 323-5167 with questions.

Robert P. Amrhein Scholarship

This $4,000 scholarship, established in memory of this Northern High School 2006 alum, is for a Northern High graduating senior. Last year’s winner was Mackenzie Henry; previous recipients were Josh Mayer, Amrit Kamboj, and Connor Sorensen.
Download Application (PDF)

Chuck Evans Scholarship

This $2,500 scholarship, established in memory of the former Northern High School principal, is for a graduating Northern senior who plans to major in Education and become a teacher. Last year’s winner was Sean Parde; previous recipients were Kristopher Barron and Emily Piper.
Download Application (PDF)

Joyce A. Vliek Endowed Scholarship

The Foundation’s newest scholarship, The Joyce A. Vliek Endowed Scholarship, was just announced in November 2011. This is a $2,500 scholarship for a graduating senior from either Central or Northern High School who plans to study Special Education and pursue a career in that field. Joyce Vliek, who retired from Portage Schools in 1986 from a career as a Special Education teacher’s aide, passed away last January. The scholarship is named in her memory by her husband Ted Vliek, Sr., and their family.
Download Application (PDF)

Sue Nelmes Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship was established by Mustang alum Robyn Roberts in honor of her former Social Studies teacher, now retired. The scholarship is for a graduating female Central High senior who plans to study history at a four-year college. Last year’s winner was Chloe Westley; previous recipients were Mia Atkinson, Andrea Blanchard, Hannah McQuitty, Jenna Teachout, Nicole Rodia, and Rosalea Pedrolini.
Download Application (PDF)

Amy Elizabeth Bousfield Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship, established in memory of the Central High School 2008 alum, is for a graduating Central High senior who plans to study musical theatre or theatre. Last year’s winner was Jasmine Franklin; the previous and first recipient was Analisha Santini.
Download Application (PDF)

Board of Education Endowed Scholarship

This $500 scholarship was established in honor of the service of past Portage Public Schools Board of Education president Kevin Hollenbeck, Ph.D. The scholarship is for a graduating senior from Northern High or Central High to study education, public policy, or related fields such as public administration. Last year’s winner was Angela Harris; previous recipients were Emily Berner, Lindsay Bowman, Dawn Ramsdill, Angela Willson, Josh Mayer, and Logan Wessendorf.
Download Application (PDF)

Scott Hammond Education-for-Employment Endowed Scholarship

This $500 scholarship was established in memory of the long-time staff member of Information & Technology Systems at Portage Public Schools. The scholarship is for a graduating senior from Central High or Northern High School who participated in the Kalamazoo RESA’s Education-for-Employment program with plans to pursue a technology-related field of study. Last year’s winner was Kelsey Linn; previous recipients were Clayton MacRitchie and Mitchell Woolley.
Download Application (PDF)

Dwight Hodgin Endowed Scholarship

This $500 scholarship, named in memory of this Central High School faculty member, is for a graduating Mustang senior. Taylor plans to study Early Education at Western Michigan University. Last year’s winner was Taylor Perk; previous recipients were Jeremy Renda, Kyle Kuzmick, Rosa Espinoza, Lori Goodwin, Peter Thompson, Ben Sladek, Edward Ball, Katie Drenth, and Valerie Glasscock.
Download Application (PDF)

Ken Draayer Scholarship

This $500 scholarship, named in memory of the local businessman and owner of Dunshee Body & Frame, is for a senior at either Central or Northern who has participated in the Education-for-Employment auto-tech program and plans to pursue an auto-tech career. Last year’s winner was Ericka McKee; previous recipients were Christon May, Jeff Bickings, Taylor Pobuda, John Jasinski, Al Curry, Travis Ridenour, Dustin Bunker, and Warrick Coe.
Download Application (PDF)

Donations

Donations can be made to any of these scholarships. Checks may be made to KCF / PEF with the name of the scholarship in the memo line (the PEF is a component fund of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation) and mailed to PEF, PO Box 2043, Portage MI 49081.