Monticello Foundation Awards Scholarships

The Board of Directors of The Monticello Foundation, Inc. met November 10, 2022, and voted to award nine scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to Monticello alumni currently in college. Congratulations to these deserving students: Sarah Blumer, Miah Brokopp, Mackenzie Errthum, Alyssa Holcomb, Claire Klossner, Marissa Peterson, Ali Risley, Natalie Roe, and Reece Rufer. This brings the total amount of scholarships awarded in 2022 to $49,800, and the total amount awarded since 1995 to $559,525! Thanks to those who applied and to our generous community for their continued support to help make this possible!
Selection is based on criteria such as academics, activities, leadership, community activities, citizenship, work experience and financial need. We hope you enjoy reading about these fine young people and agree that these students are very deserving and well on their way to much success!
<strong>Sarah Blumer,
Class of 2020</strong>
I am currently a Junior at Oklahoma State University and am majoring in Accounting, with an external focus on reporting, controlling and auditing. I am also double-minoring in Spanish and International Business. Upon graduation, I will sit for the CPA exam and then work for a public accounting firm. I am currently involved in many activities on campus and in the Stillwater community. I work as a Program Assistant at our campus recreation center, serve as a Spears Business School Ambassador, and am the treasurer for the Oklahoma State Diamond Dolls. Last year I had the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland during St. Patrick’s Day and this year I will be travelling to Italy in March. The longer I have been away from home, the more I have been able to realize how fortunate I am to have such a supportive community behind me. I am very thankful to the Foundation for helping aid not only me, but countless students from Monticello. Your vast impact is highly appreciated.
<strong>Miah Brokopp,
Class of 2020</strong>
I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient for the Monticello Foundation Scholarship. I am a junior at Edgewood College in the Nursing Program. I am enjoying my classes and getting to know the nursing students in my cohort. Edgewood has an amazing nursing program that offers many opportunities. I am fortunate to be a member of the Student Nurses Association. This organization has offered many amazing opportunities within the nursing profession and future careers. I have goals to have high honors and learn to be a nurse that positively affects rural communities like the one I have grown up in. I am also currently working at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, WI, as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The hospital setting has offered a great amount of experience that has jump started me into the nursing profession. I work alongside amazing nurses to learn and make a difference in patients’ lives. This position has helped me grow immensely in my communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.
Thank you so much to the Monticello Foundation and the community for all of their continued support of my education. I am extremely grateful to have grown up in such an amazing community.
<strong>Mackenzie Errthum,
Class of 2021</strong>
I am beyond thankful to have been selected as a recipient of this scholarship and for having continued support from the Monticello Foundation and community. I am currently a second-year student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science – Pre-Veterinary Medicine with a minor in Spanish. Since I had completed 39.00 credits in high school, I am currently working towards graduating a year early. After which, I hope to attend a university to earn a Doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine. On campus I am involved in many organizations, such as the Honors Program, Pre-Vet Club, Genetics Journaling Club, and Intramural Athletics. I have been awarded Dean’s List honors for my entire career and have sustained a 4.0 GPA. This semester, I have been nominated by chemistry professors to tutor a small class of General Chemistry I students. This summer, I was lucky to work at a small animal veterinary clinic where I will continue to work during school breaks. I worked as a Veterinary Technician Assistant where I was able to draw blood, observe surgeries, run lab work, and more.
Thank you again to the Monticello Foundation for helping me reach my goals.
<strong>Alyssa Holcomb,
Class of 2021</strong>
I am currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. My major is Elementary Education, with a minor in Spanish Education and Special Education. My goal one day is to teach 3rd grade at a rural school in Wisconsin. Currently, I am involved in the Pioneer Dairy Club and Intermural Volleyball.
Thank you to the Monticello Foundation for continuing their investment in my education!
<strong>Claire Klossner,
Class of 2019</strong>
I am grateful for the opportunity to apply and receive this scholarship. I am a senior Nursing student at Viterbo University and will also minor in Spanish. This semester I had a chance to complete my mental health clinical at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where I got to experience three different areas within the behavioral health facility. During this rotation, I interacted with and cared for those with severe mental health disorders. For the second half of this semester, I will be completing my public health rotation. As a busy nursing student, I am also involved in the Viterbo Student Nurse Association, Spanish Club, Intramural Volleyball, and tutor for first-year students. During my breaks from school, I work at The New Glarus Home as a Nursing Assistant. My goals are to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Minor in Spanish in May. I am still exploring my specialty. I cannot thank the community members, teaching staff, administrative staff, and my family who have guided and supported me to become the person I am today! I will continue to work hard and make the community proud!
<strong>Marissa Peterson,
Class of 2017</strong>
I want to start by saying thank you for choosing me as one of the recipients of the Monticello Foundation Continuing Education Scholarship. For four years now, dental health has been a passion of mine. I worked as a Dental Assistant at Eckdahl Family Dentistry for two and a half years before being accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program at Madison College, which I am currently a second-year hygiene student. I will be taking my national board exam in March and graduate in May 2023, allowing me to have my own patients. During school, I work as a hygiene assistant at First Choice Dental in Verona, gaining more knowledge and clinical experience every day. All these amazing opportunities have only fueled my passion for dentistry even more. I want to be able to provide the best care for my patients while educating them the importance of oral health. As the President of Dental Hygiene Club, we are currently working on a goal by fundraising to provide FREE dental cleanings for children in February 2023. Along with teeth, in my free time I enjoy playing sand volleyball, and making memories with friends and family.
<strong>Ali Risley,
Class of 2020</strong>
My name is Alexandria Risley. I am a 2020 graduate from Monticello High School. I am currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in Political Science and also working towards a minor in Philosophy and a Law Certificate. After receiving my degree I plan on working with international policies, regional policies, and regulations by implementing them within organizations. As well as making sure they are in compliance with newly introduced policies, I am currently an athlete and the president of the Platteville Women’s Rugby Club. I was also selected to be a part of the 2022 Great Waters All-Star Rugby Team and the 2022 Wisconsin U-23 Rugby Team.
<strong>Natalie Roe,
Class of 2021</strong>
I am currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I am studying Dairy Science and Life Science Communications. Since coming to Madison, I have joined many clubs, including Association of Women in Agriculture, Badger Dairy Club, and Collegiate Farm Bureau. Currently, I am holding an officer position in the Association of Women in Agriculture, where I serve as the 2022-2023 Sentinel. I am hoping to take my two degrees into the ag or hopefully dairy industry, and have a focus on marketing, communications, or still possibly genetics. UW-Madison has opened my eyes to lots of different opportunities and pathways in the ag industry, and I have had so much fun experiencing the different sectors and career choices that I will be immersed into in two short years.
<strong>Reece Rufer,
Class of 2020</strong>
I am currently attending Bryant and Stratton College online. I am in my junior year and majoring in General Business Management. I plan to own or manage a business in the agriculture field, specializing in show cattle and pig feed. I am currently involved in Monticello’s high school boys basketball program, helping coach the freshman boys. Also, I am involved in the Hiawatha 4-H group, helping with youth that want to show beef cattle and pigs.
Over the past year, donations to the Monticello Foundation have been received from Barry Koca, Jeanne Waelchli-Traut, Gert Waelchli, Jules Cappelle, Shauna Abassi, Larry Buetzer, David Quade, Armin and Virginia Daubert, Dan and Erin Winn, Jack Stenbroten, David and Alice Marty, Jennifer Saxer Arnsdorf, Joe and Alison Dunn, Joe and Cheryl Lehnherr, Marianne Lederman, Mae Beckwith, Ron and Judith Holcomb, Patty Blumer Riesen, Nancy Karlen, Robert and Donna Durtschi, Paul and Sue Rieder, Ken Risley, Gordon and Carol Schultz, Becky and Phil Clark, Joyce and Larry Hummel, Ron and Jenny Blumer, Alan and Yvonne DeVoe, Don and Marlis Silver, Mary Baker, Dave and Kris Lenz, Inc., Voegeli Chevrolet, and Beth Riesterer (in honor of Linn Lederman). Additional donations from Jim and Lisa Ritschard, Cindy Allen, Nancy Aquino, Robert Drafahl, Robert and Donna Durtschi, Ron and Barb Smith, Terry and Kimberly Brown, Deena and Danielle Schmid, and the Classes of 1962, 1967, and 1972 were received in memory of Mike Wahl, Tim Bruns, Robert Haldiman, Roger Klassy, Bill Roberts, John Schmid, William Rosenfeld, Don Blum, Jerry Isely, Jim Kelly, Dave Trumpy, Steve Wirth, Bill Zentner, Ed Koca, Karen McGinley, and Louise Muckley. Many thanks to supporters who donated to the annual golf outing fundraiser that was held in June.
If you were a recipient (or parent, relative or friend) of a previous scholarship or are a past alumni or a community member who truly believes in the importance of continuing education, please consider a donation of any amount. Donations may be given to any director or mailed to: PO Box 636, Monticello, WI 53570. Thank you for your generous support!
Monticello Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors: L. Linn Lederman, President; David Quade, Vice President; JoAnn Cruse, Secretary; Carol Casey Kubly, Treasurer; Keith Hoesly; Ronda Buchholz; Jean McMannes; Michael Aquino; Jane Lemon Tereba.