Local students awarded over half a million dollars in scholarships

The Quad Cities Community Foundation today announced the recipients of $522,400 in scholarship awards. Made possible by the generosity of donors to scholarship funds at the Community Foundation, the scholarships awarded represent a significant investment in local students and their future impact on the Quad Cities and beyond.  

“Our staff, our application review volunteers, and our donors are all proud of everything our local students have achieved so far, and we congratulate them on being recognized so meaningfully for those accomplishments,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Now, we’re eager and hopeful to see what big things they’ll go on to do with the support of their community behind them.”

Each year, there are scholarships available 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. This year, 59 scholarships are going to 51 students, including graduating high school seniors as well as students enrolled at local universities and colleges. More than half of the scholarships awarded are renewable, offering ongoing financial support throughout students’ courses of study. All told, the Community Foundation is awarding nearly $50,000 more this year than in 2022.

“The generosity that powers these scholarships truly is visionary,” said Hafkemeyer. “When donors establish or contribute to scholarship funds, they know that they’re not only supporting these specific students—they’re supporting the economic development of our entire region by opening doors to education and skills for our future workforce. What better way of enacting our mission to transform the region through generosity?”

The following students received 2023 scholarships:

  • Briseyda Ayala, United Township High School—Ligino Family Scholarship

  • Gavin Barber, Davenport North High School—Corky Kress Golf Scholarship

  • Rylee Bedford, Assumption High School—Sophia Hapke Scholarship

  • Jaxon Beliveau, Davenport West High School—Great River Bend Cyclone Award Scholarship; Sophia Hapke Scholarship

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

  • Belinda Brain, Iowa State University—Eastern Iowa Angus Association Oliver Hansen Memorial Scholarship

  • Amory Brown, Pleasant Valley High School—Ted & Eloise Pfeiff Scholarship

  • Layton Burt, Davenport West High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Teagan Colclasure, United Township High School—William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship

  • Abby Comp, Moline High School—Richard J. Collins Scholarship

  • Bryanna Cowles, Wilton High School—Bill & Hilda Macomber and Alta Kahl Scholarship

  • Marina De La Cruz, West Liberty High School—Morency Family Scholarship - IA

  • Alec DeLille, Moline High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Maddux Dieckman, Moline High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Madeline Dobbels, Assumption High School—Paul and Beverly Eckert Scholarship

  • Teagan Duarte, United Township High School—Louis F. Bulechek Memorial Scholarship

  • Landen Freeman, Davenport North High School—Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship;  James W. Victor Scholarship

  • Bradley Griffin, Moline High School—Morency Family Scholarship - IL

  • Stephanie Gutierrez, Augustana College—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Logan Haiar, Davenport Central High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship - Central

  • Olivia Haney—P.E.O. Chapter Blanche Wood Music Award

  • Gabrielle Hardy, Davenport Central High School—Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education

  • Lily Heller, Davenport Central High School—Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship

  • Evanjelina Henry, Rock Falls High School—Morency Family Scholarship - IL

  • Alexandra Hildebrant, Black Hawk College—Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship

  • Angele Hill, Davenport West High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship – West; Morency Family Scholarship - IA

  • Paden Houck, Rivermont Collegiate—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship - Rivermont

  • Katelyn Kiefer, Pleasant Valley High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

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

  • Aiyanna Lacey, Rock Island High School—August & Edna Zahatko Scholarship

  • Hannah Leatherman, Davenport West High School—Clem Werner Walcott Scholarship

  • Abigail Leonard, Logan-Magnolia High School—John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship

  • Madison Lunsford, Bettendorf High School—Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship – Bettendorf; Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship

  • Kaya Mallet, United Township High School—Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

  • Colin Manion, United Township High School—Gene S. Duke Scholarship

  • Maxamillion Mettler, Palmer College of Chiropractic—Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship

  • Nelie Ninahzwe, Rock Island High School—Morency Family Scholarship - IL

  • Isabella Olalde, Augustana College—Victoria E. & Randal D. Miller Scholarship

  • KaLanna Phillips, Davenport North High School—Donna Jean Arzberger Memorial Scholarship; Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship – North; Verna Kaucher Scholarship - North

  • Natalie Pothoven, Rock Island High School—Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship; Rock Island High School Class Of 1956 Scholarship

  • Noah Raso, Scott Community College—Dave Slater Environmental and Conservation Scholarship

  • Ray Reed, Davenport North High School—Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship

  • Emma Richards, Pleasant Valley High School—Jayne Lee Andreesen Memorial Scholarship

  • Marvin Roebuck, University of Iowa—Morency Family Scholarship - IA

  • Lillian Shaffer, Davenport West High School—Verna Kaucher Scholarship – West; Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship

  • Helen Sons, Assumption High School—Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship

  • Rebecca Svetlick, Morrison Institute of Technology—Diana (Diane) De Pover-Nesseler Memorial Scholarship

  • Grace Tharp, Wilton High School—Loren and Tammy Bockwoldt Family Scholarship

  • Lucero Torres, Davenport West High School—Gustav A. & Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship

  • Annabell Veloz, Geneseo High School—Quad Cities Mexican American Organization Scholarship

  • Leah Wilson, Assumption High School—Sophia Hapke 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. 

Eric McDowell