A great number of awards and scholarships were granted at the Perry Community High School Senior Awards ceremony Wednesday at the Perry Performing Arts Center. A list of award honorees follows.
Haley Vaughn won the Iowa Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award, which annually recognizes a senior from each high school for academic excellence with this award sponsored by the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Farm Bureau.
Haley Vaughn also won the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) E. Wayne Cooley Award. Established in 1993 as a tribute to the man who served as executive director of the IGHSAU from 1954-2002, the recipient of this award is recognized as being representative of the most elite of the superlative Iowa Girl, not only on the playing field but also in the classroom, in her school and in her community. Her profile will reflect discipline, perseverance, character, leadership and citizenship.
Nic Fellom won the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Bernie Saggau Award. Saggau served as executive secretary of the IHSAA from 1968-2004. This award is presented annually by the association to the graduating senior who best exemplifies a patriotic spirit, with strong religious and moral convictions, living and professing the qualities of honesty, integrity and sportsmanship, believing that both games and life should be conducted by the rules.
Tyler Soll and Emma Olejniczak won the U.S . Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Awards, presented to seniors in recognition of citizenship, leadership, self-confidence, courage and athletic achievement.
Edwardo Medina won the U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Music Award, presented to a senior in recognition of citizenship, leadership, self-confidence, courage and musical excellence.
Garrhett Bucklew won the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, presented to seniors in recognition of citizenship, leadership, self-confidence, courage and scholastic excellence.
Adan Medina and Brooke Huntington won the U.S. Army Reserve Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes one female and one male senior for outstanding citizenship, leadership, scholastic achievement and athletic accomplishments.
Javier Puente, Kyle Nevitt and Rachel Kinney won the Iowa Army National Guard Distinguished Athlete Award, which recognizes seniors who display dedication, commitment and enthusiasm while contributing positively to the team’s performance.
McKinley Thompson, Gabriella Castillo and Elijah Love won the Iowa Army National Guard Citizenship Award, which recognizes seniors for demonstrating the principles of citizenship within our school and our community.
Nic Fellom won the U.S. Air Force Mathematics and Science Award. The award recognizes a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in mathematics and science.
Sarah Sweet and Alicia Calderon won the Iowa State Bar Association Citizenship Award. The Iowa State Bar Association annually recognizes seniors for exemplary displays of citizenship, leadership and service to the community.
Grace Marburger won the Glenn Theulen-Gail Davis Character Award. Theulen is a graduate of Perry High School and a veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict who, following a career as a college basketball coach, returned to the Perry community and served as our town’s mayor. Davis is a graduate of Perry High School and along with his family successfully represented PHS in a number of athletic programs. This award is presented to a graduating senior involved in PHS activities who exemplifies the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Lauren Benjamin won the Cathy Petersen Speech Award. Petersen served 33 years as a media specialist for the Perry Community School District. In addition, she was a speech director at Perry High School. This award is presented to a Perry High School senior who demonstrates the pursuit of excellence in competitive speech.
Breanna Conklin won the Damon Adair English Award. Adair served 33 years as an English teacher at Perry High School. This award is presented to the outstanding Perry High School English Department senior who demonstrates a passion for literature and excels in critical analysis.
Bryan Amaya won the Connie Sheehy Kindness Award. Sheehy is a graduate of Perry High School who returned as an administrative assistant in the Perry Community School District for 28 years. This award is presented to a student who displays kindness, humility, compassion, gratitude and friendliness
Noah Wilkening won the Jim Richmond Teamwork Award. Richmond served 27 years as a mathematics teacher and a coach in the Perry Community School District. This award is presented to a student who demonstrates commitment to others and the qualities of teamwork.
Kyla Devilbiss won the Rose Anderson Family & Consumer Sciences Award. Anderson concluded her career as the Perry High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher. This award is presented to a student who displays personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
Alvaro Soto won the Gary Czerniakowski Citizenship Award. Czerniakowski concluded his career as the Perry High School associate principal, and this award is presented to a student who consistently demonstrates the qualities of citizenship and leadership.
Samantha Paulin and Wyatt Halling won the Tom Schleicher Bluejay Way Award. Schleicher was a Perry High School social studies teacher, school counselor and coach. This award is presented to students who demonstrates the “Bluejay Way” while displaying kindness, humor, compassion, resiliency and humility.
Alexandrya Hopkins won the John Philip Sousa Award, presented for outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation and for displaying those high qualities of conduct which school instrumental music strives to impart.
Haley Vaughn won the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) Outstanding Senior Choral Award, presented by the ICDA for outstanding achievement and interest in vocal music.
Abbi Weir, Abigail Perdomo and Tony Le won the iJAG Leadership Award. Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) is a program formed to develop a statewide system of school-to-work transition assisting students in overcoming multiple barriers to success and in becoming productive citizens. This award is presented in recognition of program leadership at Perry High School.
Devin Patrick won the Dale Schumacher Industrial Technology Award. Schumacher concluded an illustrious 42-year career in 2007 as an industrial technology instructor and Skills USA advisor. He was recognized by his peers with numerous awards and honors. This award is presented to the outstanding industrial technology Perry High School senior.
Timothy Twogood won the Tom South SkillsUSA/TSA Award. South was a long-time Perry High School industrial technology instructor and the originator of the Perry VICA program (now known as SkillsUSA). This award is presented to the outstanding SkillsUSA/TSA Perry High School senior.
Zac Olsen, Jacob Quijas and Ramiro Guzman won the Industrial Technology Outstanding Achievement Award, presented for outstanding achievement and contributions to the Industrial Technology Department during their high school career.
Brianna Conklin and Edwardo Medina won the Outstanding Strength and Conditioning Award. The Strength and Conditioning award is not meant necessarily for the person who is the strongest in class or the individual that has made the most gains in the weight room. The award is reserved for individuals who exemplify dedication in the weight room and who provide leadership through hard work each and every day in class.
Lupita Medina and Elmser Garcia won the Mike Garber Physical Education Award. Garber concluded a 29-year career in 2008 as a physical education instructor. Garber held the position of head football coach and was a coach in the middle school and high school programs for football, basketball and track and field. This award is presented to the outstanding senior physical education student.
Amani Al-Rashid won the George Soumas American History Award. Soumas was a graduate of Perry High School. As a U.S. Army Captain, he led American forces across the bridge at Remaggen. A local attorney, he served as mayor of Perry. This award is presented to the outstanding American history senior.
Alexandrya Hopkins and Garrhett Bucklew won the Judge Van Wifvat American Government Award. Wifvat was a graduate of Perry High School. A veteran of World War II, he returned to Perry to practice law. He later served as an Iowa District Court Judge. This award is presented to the outstanding American government senior.
Andrew Pentico won the Emil Natalle World Studies Award. Natalle was a surgical technician in World War II. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and was held as a prisoner of war. A frequent guest speaker at Perry High School, Natalle was actively involved in our school’s annual Veterans Day program. This award is presented to an outstanding world studies senior.
Brianna Conklin won the Jim Kaufman Social Studies Award. Kaufman was a social studies instructor and a coach at Perry High School for 20 years. He sponsored the annual junior class Washington, D.C., trip and was known for his student-centered teaching style. This award is presented to the outstanding social studies senior.
Haley Vaughn won the PHS Economics Award, presented by the Social Studies Department to a graduating senior.
Nic Fellom won the Roger Emmert Senior Mathematician Award. Emmert was a mathematics instructor at Perry High School for more than 30 years. This award is presented to the outstanding senior mathematics student.
Karley Whelchel won the Jeff Bice Memorial Award. Bice was a graduate of Perry High School. Drama and speech benefited from Jeff’s involvement. This award is presented annually to the outstanding Drama Department senior in the senior class.
Nic Fellom won the Richard Ehlers-Kenneth Finer-Leon Fox Senior Science Award. Ehlers, a chemistry and physics teacher, Finer, an earth science teacher, and Leon Fox, a biology teacher, formed the Perry High School Science Department for 23 years from 1977 to 2000. This award is given to seniors who have shown outstanding work in science throughout their high school careers.
Jairo Murillo and Alexis Macias won the David Pratt Outstanding Senior Artist Award. Pratt was the Perry High School art instructor for more than 20 years. The outstanding Senior Artist Award is presented by the Art Department, recognizing a student who has demonstrated a commitment and an appreciation for the study of art.
Dax Kresse won the Utterback-Taylor Business Award. The Utterback-Taylor Business Award is named after Helen Utterback and Tom Taylor, who were both long-time business department teachers at Perry High School. The award is given in honor of their commitment to the students and their devotion to excellence in business education. To receive this award, students must have excelled in a variety of business courses offered at Perry High School.
National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC) are awarded as a valuable resource that helps students prepare to succeed in a variety of career pathways. Employers recognize the NCRC as a way to improve their hiring and training decisions and as a way to have evidence of a skilled employee. There are four levels to the NCRC: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Students can use the test to build stackable credentials for their careers. PHS students winning Silver certificates in 2017 were Lesley Mendoza and Juan Medina. Sandy Villalobos, Elva Tavarez and Abigail Perdomo took Bronze certificates.
The National Association of Secondary School Principal (NASSP) Citizenship Award is presented annually to seniors who have consistently demonstrated the principles of citizenship in their years at Perry Community High School. This year’s recipients of the NASSP Citizenship Award were Gerardo Gonzalez, Andrew Pentico, Kaitlyn Barr, Gabe Cubillo, Rose LeLateur, Wilbert Castillo, Breanna Conklin, Adrian Thompson, Yris Guzman, Dax Kresse, Ali Hopkins and Juan Campos.
The Spirit of a Bluejay Award recognizes seniors for placing service to others as a major priority. This year’s recipients of the Spirit of a Bluejay Award were Hannah Sackett, Grant Eklund, Cinthia Naranjo, Devon Archer, Madie West and Sonia Melendez.
Along with awards, a number of college and university scholarships were announced at Wednesday’s ceremony. The scholarships are awarded by private and public colleges offering both four-year and two-year programs of study. A list of scholarship winners follows.
Brennan Carrillo, Grant Eklund and Brandon Juarez won the $150 Alex Macias Memorial Scholarship, presented in memory of Perry High School student Alex Macias. Alex participated in track and wrestling. He is remembered for the smile that he often shared, his caring personality and his love for his friends and family.
Hannah Sackett won the $500 Boone County Pork Producers. The Boone County Pork Producers provide a unified voice to promote and educate for the sustainable, socially responsible, profitable and globally competitive pork industry. This award recognizes a student involved in the pork industry.
The Lloyd and Anne Lane Scholarship was established through a trust by Lloyd and Anne Lane to provide scholarships for Perry students. The couple were longtime residents of Perry. Anne was later a resident of the Perry Lutheran home. Both valued hard work. They had no children of their own but wanted to ensure they could help local students realize their dreams of attending college. Winners of the Lloyd and Anne Lane Scholarship were Amani Al-Rashid, Garrhett Bucklew, Wilbert Castillo, Jacob Murillo, Jairo Murillo, Kiza Ndume ($300), Alicia Calderon, Gabriela Castillo ($350), Kaitlyn Barr, Brennan Carrillo, Brianna Conklin, Gabriel Cubillo, Wyatt Halling, Rachel Kinney, Emma Olejniczak, Samantha Paulin ($500), James Crawford, Grace Marburger and Andrew Pentico ($1,000).
Yris Guzman, Dax Krese, Jairo Murillo and Samantha Paulin won the $500 Floyd and Marjorie Patten Scholarship. Floyd Patten worked at Oscar Mayer and Marjorie Patten has been a piano teacher in Perry. Their children graduated from the Perry Community School District. This award is presented to a senior in honor of the Pattens.
Gabriela Castillo and Breanna Conklin won the $750 Triumph Scholarship, presented by an anonymous donor family in Perry to a graduating senior.
Brian Amaya, Gabriela Castillo, Juana Cisneros and Cinthia Naranjo won the $400 Hispanic United for Perry Scholarship, awarded to Latino seniors who have been involved in the community and wish to continue their education.
Perry Elks Lodge Scholarship recognizes graduating seniors with financial awards each year. This year’s winners of the $500 Elks scholarships were Amani Al-Rashid, Grant Eklund, Nicholas Fellom, Wyatt Halling, Brooke Huntington, Dane McCarty, Kyle Nevitt, Emma Olejniczak, Andrew Pentico and Noah Wilkening.
Chandler Carrick and Adrian Thompson won the $1,500 Joshua Davis Memorial Scholarship
This award is given in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josh Davis, a 2009 graduate of PHS, recognizing the value of dedication, commitment and self- motivation.
Wyatt Halling won the $500 TRIO Talent Search’s Dave Packer Award, awarded to a student who has shown commitment to the TRIO Talent Search program at ISU by fully participating in the program’s activities and taking complete advantage of program services. The award is given to the college-bound senior who best articulates, in a competitive essay, the benefits of participating in the TRIO program.
Cinthia Naranjo won the $250 DMACC Foundation Scholarship. The Des Moines Area Community College Foundation was created to help assure educational excellence through charitable giving. Every year the DMACC Foundation receives generous gifts from DMACC Board members, faculty and staff members, area businesses and service organizations and many, many other friends. These gifts enable the Foundation to offer scholarships to a number of deserving students. Scholarship recipients are selected by their essay, grade point average and financial need.
The DMACC Pathways Scholarships are part of a statewide initiative to increase education and training in high-demand career fields. DMACC’s Industry and Technology department is awarding $1,000 to selected students who were enrolled in a DMACC Career Academy and who wish to pursue one of the signature high-demand careers in the industry and technology field. This year’s PHS winners were Tate Beminio, Juan Campos, Cezar Funez, Ramiro Guzman, Elijah Love, Jacob Murillo, Zak Olsen, Devin Patrick, Jacob Quijas, Timothy Twogood and Kevin Villa.
Tyler Soll won the $1,000 ISSDA Evelyn Covington Scholarship, named after Sergeant Evelyn Covington of the Linn County Sheriff’s office. In acknowledgment of her dedicated and loyal service, the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies’ Association Board of Directors voted to name their scholarship program in her honor.
Emma Olejniczak won the $1,000 Dallas County Hospital Foundation Scholarship. Offered annually to seniors attending high schools throughout Dallas County who plan to enter the health care field or related curriculum.
Brooke Huntington won the $300 PEO (Chapter DE, OK) Scholarship. Chapter DE and Chapter OK are Perry chapters of PEO, a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women and educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College. PEO motivates women to achieve their highest aspirations. The award is provided to a female graduating senior based on scholarship, character and service.
Devon Archer, Anna England and Nicholas Fellom won the $250 Otley Masonic Lodge Scholarship. Otley Lodge No. 299 recognizes graduating seniors with a financial award. The Masons established the Iowa Masonic Scholarship Endowment Fund in support of the American Public School System. The scholarship recognizes leadership, community activities and involvement and academic record.
Gerardo Gonzalez won the $250 Rowley Masonic Community Scholarship. The Rowley Masonic Community is a thriving continuing care retirement community that provides all levels of care services to our most precious resources, the aging population. Rowley is dedicated to meeting the individual needs through innovative choices for living their lives as they desire. This award is presented to a graduating senior who will pursue a career in the medical field.
Devon Archer, Grant Eklund, Sarah Sweet, McKinley Thompson and Noah Wilkening won the $500 Rotary Club Scholarship. The Perry Rotary Club also annually presents the Perry Community School District Educator of the Year Award and the Civil Servant of the Year Award.
Anna England won the $500 Lions Club Scholarship, which recognizes a graduating senior with a financial award each year.
Karley Whelchel and Devon Archer won the $300 Optimist Club of Perry Scholarship. The Perry Optimist Club is the local chapter of Optimist International, one of 2,900 clubs worldwide. By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. Our goal is to help kids develop to the best of their potential. This scholarship is presented to a graduating senior based on scholarship and community service who is planning on a career working with kids.
Karley Whelchel won the $1,000 (renewable for four years) Judge Van Wifvat Memorial Scholarship. Wifvat served the state of Iowa as a District Court Judge. A graduate of Perry High School, he was actively involved in speech and drama. This financial award is presented in his memory to a graduating senior active in speech and/or drama.
Caitlin Cannon won the $500 Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship. The Perry Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority recognizes a graduating senior with a financial award each year.
Devon Archer, Haley Vaughn and Jesus Rodriguez won the $300 St. Patrick’s Regina Guild Scholarship. The Regina Guild is a support group for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Each year the Guild recognizes Perry High School seniors with this financial award.
Devon Archer, Jesus Rodriquez and Haley Vaughn won the $400 Knights of Columbus Scholarship. The Knights of Columbus is a support group for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Each year the Knights recognize Perry High School seniors with this financial award.
Nicholas Fellom and Wyatt Halling won the $125 Millard and Blanche White Scholarship. The Whites served for nearly 50 years as members of the non-certified staff of the Perry Community School District. This scholarship, in honor of Millard and Blanche, is presented to a senior of a support staff member.
Nicholas Fellom, Wyatt Halling, Adan Medina, Hannah Sackett and Abbi Weir won the $150 Perry Support Staff U.E. Local #895. The Perry Community Support Staff presents a financial award to graduating students who are a family member of our school district’s support staff union.
Denise Gonzalez, Edwardo Medina and Eyob Gebrezgabiher won the Tyson Scholarship at an unknown level of funding. The Tyson Corp. annually presents financial awards to graduating seniors of Perry High School who have a parent that is employed at Tyson.
James Crawford, Jesus Rodriquez and Alvaro Soto won the $250 Futbolito Soccer League and Perry All Stars Scholarship. The award is presented to students who have participated as soccer players in the Perry Soccer League and who also plan to continue with their post-secondary education. The students have demonstrated good sportsmanship and good character during their time in the soccer league, while also showing improvement in the sport.
Grant Eklund, Dane McCarty, Kyle Nevitt and Hannah Sackett won the $600 Kiwanis Club Scholarship. Since 1958 the Perry Chapter of the Kiwanis Club recognizes a graduating senior with a financial award each year. To date, more than $75,000 in scholarships has been presented.
Alex Ortiz won the $1,000 Bill Secress Osmundson Manufacturing Memorial Scholarship. Secress was a lifelong resident of Perry and a 1964 Perry High School graduate. His wife, Paula, and daughter, Tiffany, are also graduates. Granddaughter Amani Al-Rashid is a senior. Secress worked at Osmundson Manufacturing for 48 years as a key member of management, enjoying global travels with the company. This award given jointly by the Secress family and Osmundson Manufacturing recognizes his commitment and dedication.
Devin Patrick won the $1,000 Tom South Scholarship. South was a longtime Perry High School industrial technology instructor and the originator of the Perry VICA program (now known as SkillsUSA). This scholarship is presented in his honor.
McKinley Thompson and Tyler Soll won the $500 Robby Weber Memorial Scholarship. Glen and Teresa Weber and family award this scholarship in memory of their son, Robby. Robby is remembered for his competitive spirit and his achievements in track and cross country. This scholarship is presented by the Knights of Columbus.
Devon Archer won the $500 Chuck Scott Hastings Memorial Scholarship. Hastings, the son of Chuck and Dina Hastings, possessed a strong interest in the trade industries. This financial award is presented by his family to a Perry High School senior in his memory.
Brooke Huntington won the $500 Dr. Eugene R. Brady Memorial Scholarship. Brady provided more than 35 years of dedicated service to the students of the Perry Community School District. From 1974 until his retirement in 1997, Dr. Brady was the principal at Perry Community High School. Brady was known for the emphasis and balance he placed on the development of citizenship, scholarship, athletic ability and fine arts talents among the students under his leadership. One scholarship is sponsored by the family of Brady and an additional scholarship is sponsored by Dale and Bill Sundal, longtime acquaintances of Dr. Brady’s family.
Dane McCarty won the $500 Joan McCarty Memorial Scholarship. Joan McCarty was a strong supporter of the seniors of the Perry Community School District. This financial award is presented to a Perry High School senior in her memory.
McKinley Thompson won the $500 Dr. Michael J. Brosnahan Memorial Scholarship. Finn and Laughlin Family Dentistry present a scholarship in honor of Brosnahan to a graduating senior pursuing a college education in a health care field.
Ruth Garren was a long-time Perry resident who throughout her life worked in several different restaurants and cleaned many homes. It was her desire that her estate be administered and used by the school district to provide post-high school nursing education to worthy graduates of Perry Community High School. It was her direction that the school district assists those students who evidenced significant interest in a nursing career and who might not otherwise be able to receive a nursing education without being the recipient of scholarship assistance. Graduating seniors winning the E. Ruth Garren Memorial Scholarship are Amani Al-Rashid ($200) Wyatt Halling ($300) Alejandra Rivera ($1000) Gerardo Gonzalez ($1,250), Adrian Thompson, Yulisa Najarro-Gonzalez, Andrea Gomez ($1500) and Madelynn West ($2,000).
Devin Patrick, Kaitlyn Barr and Elijah Love won the $100 Darin Steva Memorial Scholarship. Steva provided 18 years of dedicated service to the students of Perry Community Schools. He taught industrial tech, Skills, TSA and several other classes in previous years. Steva had a positive effect on students. This scholarship is presented to students in industrial tech, Skills or TSA who have demonstrated the values and respect that Steva exhibited.
Marjean Gries Memorial Scholarship. Gries provided more than 34 years of dedicated service to the students of the Perry Community Schools teaching elementary physical education. She also served on the Perry School Board for four years. Gries had a positive effect on an enormous number of students. This scholarship is presented to a student who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in physical education. This year’s winners of the $100 scholarships were Lupita Medina, Joselyn Perla, Alejandra Rivera, McKinley Thompson, Edwardo Medina, Wilbert Castillo, Tyler Soll and Wyatt Halling.
Andrea Gomez won the $100 Nailea Marquez Memorial Scholarship. Nailea (Nae Nae) Marquez was a student of the Perry Schools who participated in many activities. Marquez always had a smile on her face and was always ready to make you laugh. This award is presented in her memory to a graduating senior at Perry High School.
Nic Fellom won the $500 Mary Waggie Memorial Scholarship and Award. Waggie was an elementary and middle school science teacher and a coach in the Perry Community School District. This award is presented annually to a graduating senior successfully involved in Perry High School activities, who has achieved academic excellence and who represents the ideals of good citizenship.
Brandon Juarez, Adrian Thompson, Haley Vaughn and Karley Whelchel won the $250 Dan Garber Memorial Scholarship and Award. Garber was a 1992 Perry High School graduate. He served as the team captain for football, wrestling and track, as well as being actively involved in industrial technology. This award recognizes a senior who possesses the leadership qualities displayed by Dan at Perry High School and while serving in the U.S. Navy.
Trent Miner Memorial Scholarship. Trent “T-Bone” Miner was a 2004 graduate of Perry High School. He participated in golf, basketball and a number of other activities while representing Perry Pride. Trent was selected for the Iowa Games Brian Pearson Scholarship. This award is presented in his memory to a graduating senior at Perry High School. This year’s winners of the $500 scholarship were Devon Archer, Brennan Carrillo, Keegan Eastman, Grant Eklund, Wyatt Halling, Brooke Huntington, Grace Marburger, Dane McCarty, Mariah McNamara, Zachary Mills, Kyle Nevitt, Haley Vaughn and Noah Wilkening.
Brooke Huntington won the $500 Christopher Muhs Memorial Scholarship. Muhs was a graduate of Perry High School in 2001. He was actively involved in athletics and the fine arts. This award is presented in his memory to a senior in recognition of academic, fine arts and athletic excellence.
Abigail Perdoma won the $500 LifeServe Blood Center Scholarship. High school students are vital to the success of the volunteer blood donor program. More than 25 percent of LifeServe Blood Center’s overall donor base is comprised of students, and more than 200 high schools organize and sponsor blood drives throughout the tri-state region. Each center offers a high school scholarship program to recognize these high school donors and/or drive organizers.
Haley Vaugh won the $500 Barnes Memorial Scholarship, presented each year to the senior who earns the highest cumulative grade point average. In the event of a tie, the award goes to the student who has the higher college-placement test score. The scholarship is established in memory of Rolland and Millie Barnes, who graduated four children from Perry High School.
Alex Ortiz won the $400 PHS Science-Technology Scholarship, which honors a student who has demonstrated an aptitude in science and technology, respect for students and staff, involvement in community and school activities and enrollment in a community college or four-year institution with a major in science or technology.
Brian Amaya won the $259 Bluejay Staff Scholarship. The staff of the Perry Community School District recognizes a graduating senior with a financial award.
Brooke Huntington and Noah Wilkening won the $500 Dean Witmer Memorial Scholarship. Witmer was a longtime Perry High School guidance counselor, social studies teacher and coach. In 1964 he was the head baseball coach as the sport returned to PHS. He is known for his years as a golf coach, for an amazing memory and for his commitment to our community. This award is presented to a senior who respects education and demonstrates the values that Witmer exhibited.
Alexandrya Hopkins won the $425 Good Fortune Scholarship, awarded in honor of Clyde Kirkman, Jack Whiton and Phyllis Bielfeldt, long-time Perry residents and supporters of Perry High School activities.
Brooke Huntington and Sarah Sweet won the $200 Ladies Golf League Scholarship, presented to a graduating senior member of the Perry High School girls golf team.
Darwin Carlile was a U.S. Army World War II veteran serving as a member of Merrill’s Marauders in China, Burma and India and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was a regular participant in the Perry High School Veterans Day program. Upon his death, his will established transfer of real estate to the Perry Community School District and the creation of the Madelon Capp Carlile Scholarship Fund in honor of his wife. Graduates winners of the $1,000 Madelon Capp Carlile Scholarship for 2017 were Rosemary Carlson, Wilbert Castillo, Nicholas Fellom, Zoe Gordon, Maria Guerrero, Bibiana Jacobo, Sonia Melendez, Blanca Navarro, Abigail Perdoma, MacKenzie Sheehy, Vanessa Sierra, Austin Stuhldryer, Patricia Torres, Haley Vaughn, Jason Villalobos, Sandy Villalobos, Abbi Weir ($300), Jairo Murillo ($400), Amani Al-Rashid, Brian Amaya, Lauren Benjamin, Garrhett Bucklew, Keegan Eastman, Cristian Guardado, Yris Guzman, Alexandrya Hopkins, Dax Kresse, Chelsea Krueger, Hannah Meister, Zachary Mills, Joselyn Perla, McKinley Thompson, Karley Whelchel, Noah Wilkening, Beverly Xuncax ($500), Brianna conklin, Brooke Huntington and Sarah Sweet ($1,000)
Adan Medina ($450) and Nicholas Fellom ($700) won the John Schnicker Memorial Scholarship. Schnicker was a principal and coach in the Perry Community School District for several years before concluding his administrative career in Ft. Madison. This award is presented to a senior exceling in mathematics.
Andrea Cortes, Haley Vaughn and Sarah Sweet won the $500 Raccoon Valley Bank Scholarship, a financial award presented annually to a graduating senior of Perry High School.
The Beasley-Mills Memorial Fund was established through the thoughtfulness of a California woman and former teacher, Elizabeth Mills Beasley, who remembered the Perry Community Schools in her will. Because Perry was the hometown of her grandfather, James Mills, she decided to leave the money made from selling his farm to the Perry schools. The interest from this fund provides scholarships each year to graduating seniors who will be attending college in Iowa. Winners of the Beasley-Mills Memorial Scholarship from the class of 2017 were Devon Archer, Brianna Conklin ($300) Garrhett Bucklew, Grace Marburger, Edwardo Medina, Emma Olejniczak, Andrew Pentico, McKinley Thompson ($400), Nicholas Fellom and Brooke Huntington ($500).
Haley Vaughn won the $500 Oliver D. and Mary K. Boyer Memorial Scholarship. The Boyers were Perry residents who established this scholarship to help Perry High School seniors who want to further their education. Oliver Boyer was a salesman, and Mary Boyer was a nurse. Both were active in the Perry Community.
Dallas “Pete” and Joyce (Conklin) VanKirk Scholarship. Until his death in 2016, Dallas “Pete” VanKirk was a longtime Perry resident. He moved to Perry, worked at the Progressive Foundry and later became the owner. Joyce (Conklin) VanKirk is a Perry High School graduate. Both have been very active in many community causes, whose spirit for Perry leads to a scholarship fund designed to recognize students who demonstrate achievement consistent with their ability. This year’s winners of the Dallas “Pete” and Joyce (Conklin) VanKirk Scholarship were Lauren Benjamin, Jocelyn Carrillo, Cody Cummings, Yris Guzman, Alexandrya Hopkins, Dalton Humpal, Kevin Lopez, Grace Marburger, Adan Medina, Lesley Mendoza, Kiza Ndume ($250), Kaitlyn Barr, Brennan Carrillo, Jorge Casa-Martinez, Nicholas Fellom, Steven Guardado, Wyatt Halling, Rachel Kinney, Dax Kresse, Dane McCarty, Jairo Murillo, Janier Puente, Jessica Saenz ($500), Alician Calderon, James Crawford, Chelsea Krueger, Samantha Paulin, Austin Stuhldryer ($750), Hector Alex Castaneda, Gabriela Castillo, Gabe Cubillo and Mariah McNamara ($1,000).
Timothy Twogood won the $250 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2060 Scholarship.
