CCHS Alumni Association Scholarship Program

 

When Fae Unterseher, came onboard in 1993 she had a dream.  That dream was to save enough money to one day offer a small scholarship to an outgoing senior class member.  When she brought her idea before the assembly at the 1994 banquet there were chuckles from the crowd, but nevertheless Fae’s dream was realized in 1996 when a $250.00 scholarship was awarded to Carmen Peshek. Carmen attended college majoring in art and then joined the military to serve her country.  The Class of 1996 was the 100th class to graduate from CCHS, so that first scholarship was an especially memorable one.  Since 1996, nearly $12,000.00 has been awarded in scholarships.

 

With the upcoming 100th celebration of the first recorded class to graduate from CCHS in mind, in 1994 and 1995 a goal was set to send invitations to every member by 1995 alerting them to the celebration and the possibility of offering a scholarship.  Prior to 1992 invitations had gone out every year to only those members who lived in Nebraska.  Those living outside the state received invitations on their honor years only.  In 1992 the invitations began going by bulk mail and in the past few years we have been able to send them first class.  By reaching every member every year we have been able to get the word out that the association has attainable goals.

 

In the late 1990s the association joined the Clay Center Community Foundation, Inc.  Our affiliation with the Foundation allows members to give tax-deductible donations to the Scholarship fund if checks are made payable to the Foundation.  Donors are encouraged to specify CCHS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund on the Memo/For line of the check and send their donation to the Cornerstone Bank attn: Linda Hagemeier, Foundation Treasurer, 103 S. Brown, Clay Center, NE 68933.

 

In the spring of 2004, the association got the news that a wonderful legacy had been left to the Scholarship Fund by Royce and Marie Deines.  Words cannot express the association’s heartfelt thanks to Royce and Marie for this gift.  For those who knew Royce, there was not a more dedicated alumni member to be found anywhere.  He was a loyal Wildcat booster and could be seen at every home football game regardless of the weather.   He kept track of alumni members and was especially helpful to our Permanent Corresponding Secretary whenever questions arose.  He represented the Class of 1933 whenever they celebrated an honor year.  Those in attendance at the 2003 banquet will carry with them the spirit of his speech as he represented his class for the last time, that evening in May.  With this scholarship Royce and Marie’s legacy lives on.  It is a legacy of dedication, courage, friendship, pride in a job well done, and love for one’s community and school.

 

The 2011 applications for the Royce and Marie Deines Memorial Scholarship are available to any CCHS alumna/alumnus who is working toward a certification, diploma or degree and who carries a cumulative 3.0 GPA between May 1, 2010 and May 16, 2011. The scholarship is awarded at the end of your first completed year of full-time status, post-secondary education and will be awarded only once to a recipient.  The application form can be found on our website, The recipient of the scholarship will be announced at the CCHS Alumni Banquet and will receive pay out upon providing proof that all criteria has been met.

 

Inquiries regarding the High School Scholarship or the

Royce and Marie Deines Memorial Scholarship can be directed to:

 

Melissa Anderson

1680 Road 312

Clay Center, NE 68933

 

Royce and Marie Deines Scholarship

 

CCHS Alumni Association Scholarship Recipients

 

1996

Carmen Peshek - $250

 

1997

Kelly Carroll - $500

 

1998

Ashley Thomas - $500

 

1999

Brandon Anderson - $500

Gabe Harms - $500

Theresa Tellez - $500

 

2000

Kendra Livgren - $500

Michael Spray - $500

 

2001

Melissa Anderson - $500

Phillip Northrop - $500

 

2002

Shawna Anderson - $500

Ellysun Tessman - $500

 

2003

Amanda Dana - $500

Johnathan Spray - $500

 

2004

Zachary Tessman - $500

Carissa Hagemeier - $250

Adam Green - $125

 

 

2005

Joseph Johnson - $500

Teagan Woodbury - $500

 

2006

Ben Cooney - $150

Madison Hoyt - $150

Shawna Anderson – Royce and Marie Deines Scholarship

 

2007

Dustin Mihm - $500

Amanda Dana – Royce and Marie Deines Scholarship

 

2008

Charity Green - $500

Adam Green – Royce and Marie Deines Scholarship

 

2009

Ashley Boman - $500

Jessica Sorensen - $500

Morgan Woodbury - $500

 

2010

Jill Baxa - $300

Ra’Von Hudson - $300

Abigale Sorensen - $300

Ceirra Tompkin - $300

Jesse VonSpreckelsen - $300

(The 2010 scholarships will be awarded in March of 2011 if all requirements are met by the recipients.)