FAIRMONT SENTINEL- Lorraine Balske was presented with the National Region Volunteer of the Year award Wednesday night at Dollars For Scholars' annual ceremony. The night typically involves awarding students with scholarships, but this year, Balske's accomplishment kicked off the function. Her award honors and recognizes volunteers who are instrumental in guiding the course of their local chapter.

"Lorraine, who has been a board member since 1978, has been the ultimate volunteer," said Sherwood Sagedahl, chapter president. "Each year she spends hours doing the things that need to be done for this chapter to be successful. We need to thank Lorraine for her commitment to the Fairmont Dollars for Scholars chapter. She deserves this award.

"Balske said while her title is secretary, over the years she has done much more for the group than her position dictates."It is hard to tell you what I do," she said. "It isn't just a secretary."Balske got involved in the program because her boss, C.H. Hegdahl, was involved. Hegdahl was chapter president in 1976-1977. "Then he died, and I inherited it," she said. During the springtime, when applications are being reviewed, Balske said she spends between 20-30 hours per week volunteering for the group, although the rest of the year it is limited to preparing the agenda for the monthly meetings, taking down minutes, and a few other odds and ends. The crunch this time of year can be tiring, but the mission of the organization keeps her involved."I do it because I love to do it," she said. "I like kids. "Balske believes the organization is vital to students trying to pursue higher education in this economy.

Lauren Costella, National Volunteer Coordinator for Dollars for Scholars, said Balkse's work truly changes the lives of students."Lorraine Balske goes above and beyond to serve Fairmont Dollars for Scholars, the Fairmont community and its students," she said.Awarded a plaque at Wednesday's ceremony, Balske will also receive a $300 scholarship in her name and be named to Scholarship America's National Honor Roll.Scholarship America is the organization that oversees Dollars for Scholars.She will also be entered into the National Volunteer of the Year Competition.

After honoring Balske, 123 scholarships were awarded to students, totaling $101,800.The winners were chosen anonymously through a scoring system based on 240 points - 80 points are available for high school rank, 40 points for college test scores, 40 points for applicant appraisal, and 80 points for personal data.When applications are submitted, they are given a number, which is how the application information is presented to the local evaluation committee.Four new applications were available to students this year - one from an anonymous donor, the Fairmont Class of 1949, Charles Kiester, and The Johnson Family -Terry, Bryan, and Lynette and Florence Swanstrom.Since its formation in 1974, Fairmont Dollars for Scholars has awarded 2,600 scholarships for Fairmont High School graduates, totaling $1,693,029.

 

2010 Dollars for Scholars Awards

Minnie Jorgensen Scholarship: Ana Anderson, Leah Bankson, Logan Bulock, Kassondra Burtis, Benjamin Fink, Justin Heinrich, Ryan Majeske, Rachel Parsley, Abbey Smith, Brandon Wolhrabe

The Richardson Family Scholarship: Casey Rabbe, Josh Fitzgerald, Ashley Carlson, Seth Vogelsang

Fairmont Firefighters Relief Scholarship: Erin Determan, Riley Freeman, Alyssa Niss, Benjamin Rosol

Gertrude Schissel Scholarship: Melissa DeBoer, Andrew Hasek, Tieg Arens, Chelsea Lyle

Gertrude Schissel Scholarship: Brittany Barnes, Elizabeth Jepsen, Laura Moeller, Joshua Vetter

Herb & Jeannette Wolf Scholarship: Brandon Botzet, Mary Hitchcock, Chelsea Sweeney, Andrew Thompson

Fairmont Railway Motors/Richard & Maxine Wade Scholarship: Cody Meyer, Shaun Rierson, Dylan VonBank

C. H. & Mary Hegdal Scholarship: Ariel Berhow, Megan Forster, Jeffrey Janssen

Harold Metcalf Scholarship: Mackenzie Edgington, Jordan Huffman, Emily Lyle

American Association of University Women - Fairmont Scholarship: Barbara Anderson, Tara Haugen

Jeanne Barker Memorial Scholarship: Brady Holm, Samantha Timmerman

John F. Cade Scholarship: Michelle Schultze, Matthew Vogel

Winnifred Eglin Scholarship: Cassie Hungerholt, Stacey Lenort

Metro Sales Jerry Mathwig Scholarship: Kristin Lunz, Katherine Wedel

Pioneer Fund I & II Scholarship: Brianna Lund, Matthew Gerhardt

Budd R. Rich Family Scholarship: Melissa Miller, Sarah Vanasse

Fred Sahr Scholarship: Paul Brummond, Dan Williamson

Monica & Arthur Wiebe Scholarship: Kyla Benson, Chase Burtis

Betty Aakre/Evelyn Bork Wilcox /Maybelle & Harvey Einhaus Scholarship: Cearra Selbrade

Lloyd & Evelyn Alsworth Scholarship: Logan Martinez

Anonymous Donor Scholarship: Chastity Neu.

Robert & Mary Arneson/Geneva Flygare McCoun Scholarship: Desiree Diaz

Dale Balske Scholarship: Alex Hodges

Bank Midwest Fairmont Scholarship: Jackson Schmid

Arthur & Leona Barke Scholarship: Kelly Sandoz

J. Bird/L. Baumann/Dr. Ruble/H. Pierce/A. Zinter Scholarship: Leah Fruechte

Bolton & Menk, Inc. Scholarship: Mark Origer

Mark Boro Memorial Scholarship: Kristen Anderson

Bill Cahalan Scholarship: Alexa Mowery

Nettie Dorrance Scholarship: Alyssa Fuhrman

Education Minnesota Fairmont Scholarship: Chelsea Ehlert

Fairmont Class of 1946 Scholarship: Riley Gustafson

Fairmont Class of 1949 Scholarship: Leah Elbert

Fairmont Class of 1960 & 1976 Scholarship: Katherine Krumholz

Fairmont Class of 1965 Scholarship: Paul Miller

Fairmont Dentists Scholarship: Ian Heuer

Fairmont Eagles Club Scholarship: Megan Winter

Fairmont Early Risers Kiwanis Scholarship: Briar Bonin

Fairmont Exchange, Jaycees, Lions, Rotary Clubs Scholarship: Stacy Hillmer

Fairmont Medical Center/Mayo Health System/Dr Andy & Janet Ruth Scholarship: Carly Jablinske

Fairmont Police Officer Association Scholarship: Nicole Werner

Fairmont School Employees Credit Union Scholarship: Alexander Stefanske

First Farmers & Merchants National Bank Scholarship: Austin Thompson

Michael & Liz Garry/BPW/Herb Gunther/United Commercial Scholarship: Zach Roggow

Gary Gjerstad/Martin & Dorothy Schamber Scholarship: Ariel Wiebe

Calvin Gould III Scholarship: Linnea Erickson

Dick & Helen Gould Scholarship: Joey Fitzgerald

Anne Nicole Gunther/Elsie Krueger/Leo & Lenore Seifert Scholarship: Jessica Baraga

Mark & Sue Hamre Scholarship: Melissa Lubenow

John F. Hayes Scholarship: Casey Paris

Jim & Mary Humeston Scholarship: Sara DeBoer

Jakes, Green Mill, Pizza Ranch, Godfathers, Pizza Hut, Taco John & Kwik Trip Scholarship: Johanna Hinz

Maynard & Audrey Johnson Scholarship: Callie Schultze

The Johnson Family Terry, Bryan & Lynette Scholarship: Emily Staley

Donald Keene Scholarship: Meghan Monsen

Charles Kiester Scholarship: Willis Krumholz

Lydia & R. E. Kietzer Scholarship: Timothy Bulfer

Blanche Kindstrom Scholarship: Tyler Majeske

KSUM/KFMC Radio Scholarship: Patrick Kloeckner

Elton & Ellen Kuderer Scholarship: Brock Frolik

Delia Larson Lueth Scholarship: Kayla Vogelsang

Tom Mahoney Scholarship: Jami Riley

Martin County VFW Post 1222 & Auxiliary Scholarship: Nathan Rettke

Miller Fashions/G. Chapman/M. Evans/N. Godden/MARC Scholarship: Stephanie Brolsma

Ray & Julia Dollen Miller Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Kotewa

Garry & Pam Oskerson Scholarship: Derek Wohlhuter

Alice F. Peters Scholarship: Alexander Chubaty

Rudolf & Evelyn Peterson Scholarship: Zachery Meier

Vernon & Helen Peterson/Rollo & Nellie Crowther Scholarship: Ashley Steuber

H. Jay & Eleanor Pieser Scholarship: Miles Duffey

Profinium Financial, Fairmont Scholarship: Brandon Splinter

Marlowe & Jean Potter Scholarship: Jacob Sanden

Lura & Glenn Reed Scholarship: Tyler Benschoter

Douglas & Dorothy Richards Scholarship: Alison Lundgren

Herb & June Russ Family Scholarship: Henry Brown

The Sagedahl Family Scholarship: Courtney Harris

Robert Schroeder/Major Nelson/Sentinel Scholarship: Derek Gerken

Denise Ballman Schwieger Scholarship: Kelsey Deling

Bob Sexe Scholarship: Allison Waterbury

Florence Swanstrom Scholarship: Brittney Ostlie

Ashley Waterbury Scholarship: Leah Ehlert

Ashley Waterbury Family Scholarship: Ryan Stevens

Dr. Harold & Kathryn Williamson Scholarship: Samantha Lloyd Miller

U.S. Bank of Fairmont Scholarship: Luke Werner

 

Article published by the Fairmont Sentinel.