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Scholarships

Founders' Scholarship RECIPIENTS

Cornerstone Credit Union is proud to announce the five recipients of the 2024 Founders' Scholarships 

  • Ryan Coon from Freeport High School
  • Alexander Ryia from Forreston High School
  • Sarah Geiseman from Lena-Winslow High School
  • Espen Hammes from Newman Central Catholic High School
  • Maia Benson from Lena-Winslow High School

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Ryan Coon, graduated from Freeport Senior High School.  Ryan will be attending Augustana College, for Bachelor’s degree in Business & Finance.
Ryan has been on the high honor roll, NIC10 Scholar Athlete, Academic All-State, and has been a member of the student council.  He volunteered for many community activities including Salvation Army bell ringing, FACC food donation collection, Cedarville United Methodist Church volunteer, Freeport Stix & Midwest Future Prospects Club Baseball program, and the Lena Park District.

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Alexander Ryia graduated from Forreston Senior High School.  Alexander will attend Bradley University to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Finance.
 Alexander has been a member of the Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  He assisted with putting flags out on Veterans day for the Leaf River Lions Club, did field prep for the German Valley baseball an softball diamonds, and was groundskeeper for Camp Kupugani. 

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Sarah Geiseman, graduated from Lena-Winslow High School.  Sarah is attending Indiana University-Indianapolis, to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Forensic & Investigative Sciences.
She has been very active in school as part of the Academic Bowl, National Honor Society, Student Council, Servant Leadership, Principal Honor Roll, Academic All-conference Award, and Scholastic Achievement Award.  Sarah has volunteered for over 104 hours of community service.  She has also participated in musicals and band.

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Espen Hammes is a graduate of Newman Central Catholic High School.  Espen will attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to get his Bachelors degree in Media Studies & Education.
Espen has been an intern for the Sterling-RockFalls Historical Society, was Book Club President, Salesian Literary Magazine Assistant Chief Editor, Key Club Secretary, Senior Class Student Council President, Math Team, BLIND Leader, and Film Club.  Espen was involved in Cross Country, Track & Field.  Espen also volunteered for the Junior Historians Summer Camp, Feed the children.

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Maia Benson is a senor graduated from Lena-Winslow High School.  Maia will attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.  Her plan is to get her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education.
Maia has been very active in her extracurricular activities.  She was a member of the National Honor Society, involved in the Servant Leadership program, on the Student Council, Class Officer, Teacher’s Assistant, and many community activities .  Maia has also been very active in sports competing in Track and Field, Volleyball, Basketball, and acting as the Statistician in Wrestling.

 

All five recipients have demonstrated strong leadership skills and dedication to their education and community, with an impressive list of activities and achievement throughout their high school years. 

Each has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

As part of our ongoing effort to invest in our future leaders, the Founders' Scholarship program for graduating seniors is designed to encourage and promote degree completion and to reinforce the rewards for increased responsibility.