Local students awarded $475,000 in scholarships

Growing up, Yuliana Marceleno Lopez never lost sight of the sacrifices her family had made to give her the opportunities she had. “I always felt a sense of pressure to be someone greater because I saw my parents struggle,” said Lopez, whose family came to Davenport from Guanajuato, Mexico.

When Lopez decided to become a teacher, she knew the college search would be difficult. “It was especially hard for me to be a first-generation student,” she said, “and I went through the application and search process all alone.”

But Lopez found that she had the support of her community when in 2021 she received two scholarships through the Quad Cities Community Foundation—the Frances S. Wolfe Memorial Scholarship and the Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education, both renewable for four years. “I will never forget my mom crying while hugging me after I found out. That's how meaningful this was to us,” said Lopez. “It made me happy that I would be able to afford my tuition without pressuring my parents to help me.”

Now finishing her first year as an education major at St. Ambrose University, Lopez recently shared her story at the Community Foundation’s scholarship reception, where $475,000 in new one-time and renewable scholarships was awarded to 47 local students.

“Our community truly does have our students’ backs,” said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives. “We are so grateful for the generosity of the donors who make these scholarships possible.”

Of the scholarships awarded this year, roughly half are renewable, helping students to not only get a strong start on their education but also to complete it. Ten students received multiple scholarships. The Community Foundation awards scholarships for high school seniors as well as those who have already graduated, with opportunities for students no matter their age or where they’re pursuing higher education, from community college and four-year universities to trade and technical schools.

“To see our region thrive, we need to support students pursuing the full range of higher education options,” said Thompson. “These scholarships help us do that, showing students that their community is invested—in all senses of that word—in their success.”

The following students received 2022 scholarships:

  • Soli Augspurger, Davenport Central High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship

  • Kyle Balk, Davenport Central High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship

  • Colton Bartels, Davenport Central High School—Gustav A. & Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship

  • Brandon Bishop, Bettendorf High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship; Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship; John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship

  • Belinda Brain, Home Schooled—Eastern Iowa Angus Association Oliver Hansen Memorial Scholarship

  • Maylee Callahan, Bettendorf High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship; Morency Family Scholarship

  • Gabriel Dickens, Palmer College of Chiropractic—Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship

  • Alexa Garvin, Wilton High School—Loren and Tammy Bockwoldt Family Scholarship

  • Hannah Gault, Moline High School—Richard J. Collins Scholarship

  • Emily Gisel, Davenport North High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship

  • Maximus Graetz, Oak Creek, WI—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Grace Gustafson, Rock Island High School—Rock Island High School Class Of 1956 Scholarship

  • Stephanie Gutierrez, Moline High School—William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship

  • Brynn Hetzler, Davenport Central High School—Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education

  • Silas Hoffman, Muscatine High School—Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship

  • Carson Holmes, Mercer County High School —Bryant-Holmes Scholarship for Mercer County High School

  • Sophia Iniguez, Davenport West High School—Morency Family Scholarship

  • Morgan Janes, Augustana College—Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship; Morency Family Scholarship

  • Jacob Kiefer, Canton, GA—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Nolan Kiefer, Charleston, SC—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Madeline Kroeger—Dr. Anita L. Pinc Memorial Scholarship

  • Joshua Lyphout, Toledo, OH—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Marcos Martinez Rodriguez, Rivermont Collegiate—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship

  • Taylor Mayhue, North Scott High School—Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship

  • Karin McDonald, Davenport Central High School—Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship

  • Martell McGinnis, Jr., Davenport West High School—Clem Werner Walcott Scholarship; Morency Family Scholarship

  • Marisa Miller, United Township High School—Gene S. Duke Scholarship

  • Trevor Milne, Davenport North High School —Helen Duranleau-Brennan Theater Scholarship; Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship

  • Isabella Motley, Assumption High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship

  • Margaret Nedved, Orion High School—Great River Bend Cyclone Award Scholarship

  • Samantha Nguyen, Moline High School—Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship

  • Zachary Paustian, Davenport West High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship

  • Nhu Phan, Davenport West High School—James W. Victor Scholarship; Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship

  • Kylen Phillps, Davenport Central High School—Donna Jean Arzberger Memorial Scholarship; Louis F. Bulechek Memorial Scholarship

  • Kammi Poon, United Township High School—Ligino Family Scholarship; Quad Cities Scholarship for Immigrants and Refugees

  • Carson Raya, Geneseo High School—Quad Cities Mexican American Organization Scholarship

  • Samantha Sancen, United Township High School—Morency Family Scholarship

  • Addie Scanlan, Fort Madison High School—Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship - Citizenship

  • Rachel Schneider, Assumption High School—Paul and Beverly Eckert Scholarship

  • Karol Sheese—P.E.O. Chapter Blanch Wood Music Award Scholarship

  • Alec Shipley, Davenport West High School—Bill & Hilda Macomber and Alta Kahl Scholarship

  • Kacie Simmonds, Davenport North High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship; Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship

  • Corbin Simatovich, Davenport Central High School—Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship

  • Anna Sobczak, Holy Trinity Catholic High School—Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship - Medical

  • Landon Sturch, Waterloo West High School—Corky Kress Golf Scholarship

  • Lila Teitle, Pleasant Valley High School—Jayne Lee Andreesen Memorial Scholarship

  • Najah Vesey, Rock Island High School—Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship; Morency Family Scholarship

The Quad Cities Community Foundation is home to hundreds of endowment funds—started by individuals and organizations—that create a financial foundation for nonprofits and support the Quad Cities region today and far into the future. Learn more about giving to or creating a scholarship or other support for the Quad Cities community here.  

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