Posted: 4/16/03

Funds sought for scholarships

Each spring, Forest Lake High School graduates and area residents are honored with scholarships to back their academic pursuits.

Itís been that way in ISD 831 since 1973 when the idea for the Community Scholarship Foundation was presented by Duane A. Rasmussen and high school counselors Virgil Grove and Stanley Motschenbacher.

Rasmussen, publisher of The Times and president of the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce that year, led the drive for a program to recognize Forest Lake graduates and others from the area who needed help with college and technical school expenses.

The program has flourished since that year, relying on financial donations from individuals, organizations, businesses and trusts.

Richard Gross, 2003 program chair, said this week plans are moving forward for spring awards and the CSF hopes to have $30,000 available for scholarships in $500 and $1000 increments.

This yearís scholarship program has received the generous support from three families who lost loved ones during the past year.

Scholarships honoring Jack Conley, Elsie Vogel and Russell Hammond will be presented this spring. Dollars given in memory of the three Forest Lake residents have been dedicated to the CSF for awards.

The Conley and Hammond scholarships will be general awards presented to deserving students.

Conley was a teacher, coach and athletic director at Forest Lake High School for nearly 30 years.

Hammond was an industrial arts teacher in the district for more than 30 years.

Vogel, Forest Lakeís beloved historian, was a former business owner and long time community activist. She spent 20 years writing historical columns for the Forest Lake Times and was author of the cityís centennial book in 1993.

A scholarship in her name will be awarded to a student who is planning a career in journalism.

Recipients for Community Scholarship Foundation awards are screened by a volunteer board of community residents.

Selections are based on scholastic achievement, community involvement, school activities, need and letters of recommendation.

Donated materials from Forest Lake Printing, the Chamber, Mainstreet Bank and the CSF board insure that all monies received from the public are used for the scholarships.

With the CSF 2003 drive still short of its fund-raising goal this year, Gross this week issued an appeal to the public for donations.

Tax deductible donations may be sent to: Community Scholarship Foundation, C/O Student Services Department, Forest Lake Senior High School, 6101 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake, MN 55025.

For more information, call Gross at 651-464-2227.

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