Named scholarships - donations of $5,000 or more

Rick Alfson: Rick Alfson was a well-loved school principal in the 1980s and 1990s. His $250 scholarship gives preference to a student who grew up on a farm and was involved in 4-H, FFA or music.

American Legion - Lynn Spiering Post #4: One of our local veterans organizations with scholarship preference given to a student who has a family member who has served in the military. This scholarship is for $250.

Class of 1975: Members of the Hillsboro High School Class of 1975 wanted to commemorate their 40-year class reunion by establishing a scholarship for $250.

Corky Bakken: Corky Bakken was a graduate and lifelong resident of Hillsboro. His donation to H509 was more than $100,000 and provided $6,000 in awards this year. Preference is given to students going to a technical school.

Dick & Donnie Bird: This $500 scholarship is intended for a student planning to study agriculture or education.

Gary Bird: Gary Bird's scholarship is meant to reward a student who takes challenging courses but is not necessarily the top student in the class. This scholarship is for $500.

Robert & Jeannie Bird: Robert Bird was a 1963 graduate from HHS and recognizes the importance of education for the future. This scholarship is for $500.

Leonard Beal/Kiwanis: The Hillsboro Kiwanis Club is a leading local philanthropic group that strives to serve the children of the world. This $1,250 scholarship honors Leonard Beal who was a prominent banker in Hillsboro.  

Dallas & Mary Ann V. Boeddeker: The Boeddekers were longtime farmers east of Hillsboro. Mary Ann served on the H509 board for nine years. This scholarship is for $750.

Jay Boeddeker: Jay Boeddeker is a Hillsboro graduate who has worked in financial planning and agriculture. This scholarship is for $500.

Dr. Donald J. Breen: Dr. Donald Breen was a longtime family doctor in Hillsboro and perhaps one of the biggest Burro cheerleaders ever. His is a $250 general purpose scholarship.

Ron & Barb Deck: The Decks owned an aerial spray business north of Hillsboro. Their $250 scholarship is a general scholarship.

Harry & Arlene Eisenbeis: "Uncle Harry" was a longtime banker in Hillsboro who helped most current long-standing businesses get started. This] $250 scholarship gives preference to a student going into a financial career.

Stacy Maria Engel: Stacy Engel was a 1996 Hillsboro graduate who for years battled a rare disease with a positive outlook, an ever-present smile and personal strength. Her scholarship is for $500 and is geared toward a student who wants to work to help others.

Krista Erickson: Krista Erickson, the daughter of Lee and Gerene Erickson, was a Hillsboro High School junior when she died in a car accident in 1993. This $600 scholarship is given to honor a student who demonstrates excellence in academics, involvement and character.

Fankhanel Family: The Fankhanels owned a variety store on Hillsboro's Main Street for many years and were friends to all kids who entered. Their $250 scholarship is a general scholarship to any senior.

Farmer's Union Oil Co. (Climax, MN and Cummings, ND): The Farmer's Union Oil Company served farmers in the Climax, Minn. and Cummings, N.D. area for many years. This $250 scholarship is a general scholarship.

Ken Fossum: Ken Fossum was a graduate of Hillsboro High School who farmed east of Hillsboro. His $1,500 scholarship is given to a student who excels in academics, sports, leadership and citizenship.

Mark Fossum: Mark Fossum, the son of Ken and Sandy Fossum, passed away the last day of school of his junior year in 1985. He was the student body president-elect at that time and was loved by all in the school. His scholarship is for $1,500.

Ron & Carolyn Gadberry: Ron Gadberry had a long career of teaching, farming and coaching in Hillsboro. The Gadberrys' $250 general scholarship is for any senior.

Edwin and Corrine (Waslien) Halgrimson: The Halgrimsons' $500 scholarship is intended to help a student planning a career in engineering, vocational training, communications, home economics or nursing.

HHS All School Reunion: Additional funds from the last all-school reunion were given to H509 to allow for a $250 general scholarship for a graduating senior.

Hillsboro Activities Booster Club: The Hillsboro Activities Booster Club was established to provide support to the students of Hillsboro Public School. Its contributions supplement activities both academic and extracurricular. The recipient should be a student who has been actively involved in school-supported organizations throughout his or her high school career.

Hillsboro VFW #4172: This local veterans organization gives preference to a student who has a family member who has served in the military. This scholarship is for $250.

Hazel Howard: Hazel Howard was a longtime first-grade teacher in Hillsboro. Her scholarship can be given only to a student enrolled in elementary education and is renewable for a total of four years. This scholarship is for $1,500.

Barrie Koering: Barrie Koering was an outstanding Hillsboro High School graduate. Two scholarships totaling $750 honor a well-rounded male and female student.

Walt & LaVonne Kozojed: Walt was a lifelong farmer west of Hillsboro and LaVonne was a nurse in the community. Preference is given to a student planning a career in agriculture or nursing.  Their scholarship totals $500.

Lynn and Deb Kritzberger: Both graduates of HHS, Lynn and Deb served the community for many years while farming just west of Hillsboro. Their scholarship totals $500.

Virgil & Sally Larson: The Larsons were farmers who lived southwest of Hillsboro. They left their entire estate to H509 - a gift of more than $842,000, which provided $45,600 for scholarships this year, divided among 24 students.

Ed & Elaine Laxdal: Elaine Laxdal taught school in Hillsboro for more than 30 years. This scholarship is intended for a student pursuing a major in family and consumer science (FACS) or a related field.

Robert Ludwig: Robert Ludwig was a former HHS graduate, athlete and coach. His $250 scholarship is used to honor a student who participated in track.

Earl R. Lundeen: Earl Lundeen was a retired farmer from Blanchard, N.D. who had a high regard for education, especially vocational education. He designated a sum of money for Hillsboro High School graduates pursuing a degree in a vocational occupation. This scholarship is for $7,850.

Art & Eunice Morlock: Art Morlock served as a school administrator from 1974 to 1991 and was one of the original founders of H509. This scholarship is for $250.

Earl & Barbara Mueller: The Muellers farmed by Cummings, ND. Their $250 scholarship gives preference to a student who grew up on a farm and was involved in 4-H, FFA or music.

Larry & Maribeth Mueller: This $250 scholarship gives preference to a student who is going into the field of agriculture or a student going into physical or occupational therapy.

John Murphy: John Murphy, the son of Jim and Denise Murphy, taught the whole community how to "Live until I die." He was a member of the class of 2013 and fought a courageous battle with cancer until 2005. His $250 scholarship goes to a student planning a degree in the medical field.

Ed & Marlis Olsen: The Olsens were longtime hardware business owners in the community. They are involved in many organizations throughout the town and make Hillsboro a better place to live. This scholarship is for $250.

Rahr Malting Company: Rahr Malting Company's commitment to the future of students and the future of agriculture is evident in its generous donation. The preference for this scholarship helps a student further his or her ag dreams. This scholarship is in the amount of $500.

Daniel Rosted: Danie Rosted was a Kiwanian and local farmer. His $250 scholarship is a general scholarship.

Kay Ludwig Rotvold and Darrell Rotvold: The Rotvolds are lifelong residents of the Hillsboro area. Kay served as secretary on the H509 board and both were closely involved with school and community activities. Their scholarship is for $250.

Ruth Rust: Ruth Rust is a lifelong member of the Hillsboro community. She retired from Hillsboro Public Schools as its Business Manager after serving the school district for 32 years.  

Lynn & Clara Sarles: This $250 scholarship is given to honor a student who has good grades.

Scheels: This business, which once had a hardware store in Hillsboro, sponsors a general $250 scholarship usually given to a student who is active in sports.

Anita & Verra Schilling: The Schilling sisters grew up in the Page, N.D. area and lived part of their lives in Hillsboro. Their scholarship is a general purpose scholarship for $1,500.

Lorna Schlichtmann: Lorna was a teacher for 40 years. She developed a passion for reading and instilled that passion into her many students. Her scholarship is intended to help pass that love for reading on to future generations.  

Peder Simengaard: An appreciation of the ideals of youth and the many choices they have in life inspired the Peder Simengaard Memorial Scholarship. With the belief that inheritance isn't a right, it's a gift, Peder wanted to provide a gift that helps give options to the youth of Traill County and Hillsboro. The total of this scholarship is $5,900.

Mildred V. Smith: This donation given through the Hillsboro Medical Foundation in honor of Smith is given to a student planning to pursue a degree in the medical field. This scholarship is for $250.

Renell Suchor: Renell Suchor was a Burro Mom who inspired us with her courageous battle against cancer. A student with great character is chosen for this $250 scholarship.

Beverly Sveen: Beverly Sveen's $250 scholarship is given to a student who has a need for financial assistance to attend college.  

George F. & Betty Vettel: The Vettels farmed east of Cummings, N.D. Their $250 scholarship gives preference to a hard-working student.  

Leo Robert Wilson: Leo was born three months early and spent the first 57 days of his life in the NICU. There he experienced nothing but compassion and love from the staff. Leo died when he was just 126 days old. His beautiful short life was strongly impacted by those in the medical field.  

Sponsored scholarships - received annually and awarded to students

American Crystal Sugar Company: This farmer-owned cooperative gives a scholarship in every Red River Valley school district where sugar beets are grown. A $1,000 scholarship is given to a student pursuing a degree in agriculture or science and who has parents or family members who farm sugar beets or are ACSC employees. An additional $500 scholarship gives preference to a student attending a technical school.

H509 Raffle Ticket Sales: This is H509's major fundraiser for the year. Funds raised from this event pay for H509's operating expenses as well as funding scholarships. This year $6,000 in scholarships were awarded.  

Halstad Telephone Company:  This scholarship is given to a student who is going into a computer or technical area of study. This year HTC provided two $750 scholarships.

Levi Reese: Levi Reese was this year's H509 raffle ticket winner for a $250 scholarship in his name.  

James & Eldora Kraby: This $500 general scholarship is funded by family members in memory of their parents.

Winston and Gen Marsden: The Marsdens were longtime business people in town and Winston was a former mayor. Their scholarship is geared toward a bright student with financial need. This $1,000 scholarship goes to one student.

Roy & Yvonne McNeil Trust: The McNeils donated their estate to help students graduating from Traill County high schools go to college. In Hillsboro, this fund is divided among the honor students each year. This year $8,500 was shared by 20 students based on their combined GPA and ACT scores.