Wiebe Scholarship nears 10th year anniversary years ago
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
The Wiebe Scholarship — it's what many Hillsboro High School students hope to receive at the end of their senior year. It's not just a reward for their activities at school, but also for their role as good citizens of their community.
And at this year's 2002 commencement exercises, two more HHS students will be added to the ranks of 21 scholarship winners from the past decade.
The 2002 school year marks the tenth year that the John A. and Harriet Kizler Wiebe Good Citizen Scholarship will be distributed to two worthy students. Their names will be announced during the graduation ceremony.
The scholarship was founded on July 5, 1991, by Hillsboro graduates John and Harriet Wiebe — 50 years after they graduated from HHS in 1941, said USD 410 Superintendent Gordon Mohn. John was the valedictorian of his class, and Harriet was the salutatorian.
Over the years, the Wiebes became successful in business and had the chance to donate funds to several worthy causes. They decided ten years ago to establish the scholarship fund here.
The scholarship works like this: The Wiebes put a lump sum of $200,000 into certificates of deposit in two Hillsboro banks — $100,000 in Emprise Bank, and $100,000 in Hillsboro State Bank. The scholarships are comprised of the interest the CDs earned over the course of a year.
The scholarship has usually been given to two students each year, although three received the award in 1995, Mohn said. The amount given depends on how well the CDs performed that year.
"The Wiebes asked that the amount make a significant impact," Mohn said.
The money can be used for tuition, room and board, or books. It can be applied to any post-secondary school, which includes four-year universities as well as vocational-technical schools.
How are the recipients chosen? Through a process which begins with a faculty review of the student's achievements and activities while a student at HHS.
But the most grueling part of the process might be the interview, during which a student is asked about his feelings on a variety of subjects from patriotism to the treatment of the elderly to current events.
It's somewhat nervewracking for the students, Mohn said.
Usually between eight and 15 students apply each year, he said. This year's interviews will be held on May 11.
Finally, a committee comprised of Mohn, high school principal Dale Honeck, high school counselor Diana Holub, and the president of each of the banks determine the winner.
The scholarship has been a good way to reward students who've done more than get good grades — they've also made an impact on their town, Mohn said.
"(The Wiebes) have been very generous," he said. "It's neat to give to students who are good people."
