Wamego Community Foundation: Current Scholarships

Gaylord Belton Memorial Scholarship (approx. $500)
The children of Gaylord Belton established this memorial scholarship in March 2008 in memory of their father. One scholarship will be awarded each year. Click here to donate to this fund.

Jeff Birney (Fox) Memorial Scholarship (approx. $250)
In 2000, the family of Jeff Birney (Fox) established a scholarship fund in honor of his memory. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a Wamego High School graduating senior who has participated in both the Federated Kids Wrestling Program and Wamego High School Wrestling program. Click here to donate to this fund.

Kevin Dekat Memorial Jazz Scholarship (approx. $250)
Mike and Janice Dekat established this scholarship fund in 2004 to honor the memory of their son, Kevin Dekat, who was a drummer in the Wamego High School Jazz Band. Through this fund, a $250 scholarship is awarded annually to a Wamego High School graduating senior who played in Wamego’s Jazz Band during high school. Click here to donate to this fund.

Sue Eichman Education Fund Scholarship (approx. $500)
This pass-through scholarship is presented through the Community Foundation each year by Sue Eichman, life-long resident and supporter of Wamego and student education. The first scholarship was awarded in April 2008.

Helm Sisters Memorial Scholarship (approx. $500)
This scholarship fund was formed in 2004 by Bill Baxter, a life-long resident of Wamego, former local postmaster, and long-time friend to the community, in memory of Dora Henry, Nettie Weeks, Jennie Banks, Minnie Stelzner, and Lula Baxter, who grew up near Belvue. This fund awards a $500 annual scholarship to a Wamego High School graduating senior who has demonstrated steady academic improvement throughout high school. In step with Mr. Baxter’s beliefs about education and opportunities for success, the ideal recipient for this scholarship is a student who had a bit of a rough start in high school but, by graduation, is a “ball of fire.” Click here to donate to this fund.

Gus Hildebrand Memorial Scholarships (2) (approx. $250)
In March 2008, family and friends of August "Gus" Hildebrand established a memorial scholarship fund in his honor. Gus, the son of Dr. James and Callie Hildebrand, Wamego, passed away in 2003; he was a 1990 graduate of Wamego High School and attended Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, and Chicago Hospitality Institute of Culinary Arts, where he earned a degree as a graduate chef. Gus touched the heart, soul, and life of everyone he met; with this scholarship fund, Gus’s memory will live on in the heart, soul, and life of every student who receives a scholarship in his name. This fund awards two high school students, generally one from Wamego and one from Rock Creek, with special consideration to students who plan to enter a culinary arts program. Click here to donate to this fund.

Hilliard Family Memorial Scholarship (approx. $1,000)
The Hilliard Family Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in April 2005 in memory of Chet "C.B." Hilliard and his love of golf. Chet (1905-2005) did not take up the game of golf until he was more than 50 years old. Nevertheless, he quickly became a very proficient golfer and won many golf tournaments during his career, including the Kansas State Senior Men’s Championship when he was 85 years old. This is remarkable considering he was playing in the bracket of senior men who were 70 years of age or older. Very few golfers ever shoot a score which is equal to or less than their age, but he accomplished this on several occasions. Chet made several holes-in-one during his life, including one at Wamego Country Club’s very long and difficult par 3 hole (#6). Chet retired from playing golf at the age of 90 to care for his beloved wife, Dorothy, who preceded him in death. He continued to love the game and was an avid watcher of golf on TV. One day in his 100th year, he rode off into the sunset on his golf cart to be reunited with Dorothy. He was a long-time member of both the Wamego and Topeka Country Clubs.

The family wishes to recognize a graduating senior who participated in the Wamego High School golf program during the recipient's senior year. Click here to donate to this fund.

John Lawless Memorial Scholarship (approx. $500)
Because of his belief in higher education and wish to support a deserving student athlete, the family of John Lawless established a memorial scholarship in February of 2004 in memory of his life. John was a Kansas State University agriculture researcher for many years. Click here to donate to this fund.

LeRoy and Roberta Miller Scholarship Funds (2)
(approx. $1,000)
LeRoy and Roberta Miller are life-long residents of Wamego, where they worked and raised their family. They established these scholarship funds in January 2010 to reward two Wamego High School graduating seniors who have shown leadership qualities while in high school and who have maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA. Click here to donate to this fund.

Robert "Bob" Peddicord was a life-long resident and business owner in Wamego. Here he and Edna raised their two children Lynn and Bobby who both graduated from college with honors. Edna saw the value in education and wanted to find a way to help others to achieve this goal. She established this fund to honor her husband and to assist a deserving Wamego High School graduating senior who plans on continuing their education.

Pickering Award
This fund was established in 2000 by the Pickering family, many of whom lived in the Wamego community for several years. The family wanted to give something back to the community they loved. They established the Fund to reward the accomplishments of the Wamego High School valedictorian and salutatorian on an annual basis.

R-Tech Tool & Machine Scholarship (approx. $250)
Doug and Rachelle Routh of R-Tech Tool & Machine, a local manufacturing firm started in 1992, established this endowed scholarship fund in December 2008 to assist graduating students of Wamego High School who plan to study metal fabrication (welding, machine tool, etc.). Click here to donate to this fund.

Rebecca Sester Memorial Scholarship (approx. $250)
Rebecca Sester's love for music led her family to establish this scholarship fund to honor her memory by helping graduating students of Wamego High School who have been active participants in the school’s band programs. Click here to donate to this fund.

Teresa Ann Siebert Memorial Scholarship (approx. $300)
Teresa Ann Siebert’s values and beliefs were cultivated by growing up in Wamego. Upon her passing, her family wanted to do something in her memory that would benefit female graduates of Wamego High School who want to continue their education. With that in mind, the family organized the Teresa Ann Siebert Memorial Scholarship Fund. Click here to donate to this fund.

Wamego Community Scholarship (approx. $300)
The Wamego Community Foundation established a general scholarship fund to benefit a Wamego High School graduating senior who has demonstrated significant involvement in the Wamego Community. Donations from private donors, local businesses, and memorial contributions have helped this fund grow over time. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2009. Click here to donate to this fund.

Wamego City Hospital Scholarships (4)($500)
The Wamego Hospital Association established these pass-through scholarships in March 2008 to further education of students pursuing careers in the health field. Four scholarships are available.

Wamego High School Class of 1968 Scholarship
(approx. $250)
The Wamego High School graduating class of 1968 originally established a scholarship fund on their own in 1993 by opening a checking account to be used solely for scholarship donations and awards. Each year a committee from the class of ’68 would choose one recipient for a $250 scholarship and write a check from the checking account directly to that student. Fifteen years later, they realized that establishing the scholarship fund through the Community Foundation would allow the recipient, their parents, and the benefactors to be recognized at the annual Awards Luncheon; allow all donations to the fund to be fully tax deductible as a charitable contribution; and allow the fund to become endowed and live on in perpetuity. In April 2008, the class of 1968 moved the fund to the Wamego Community Foundation, and the first scholarship was awarded in 2009. Click here to donate to this fund.

Wamego High School Class of 2005 Scholarship
(approx. $100)
The Class of 2005 continued their tradition of "firsts" when they became the first Wamego High School class to establish a scholarship fund through the Wamego Community Foundation for a senior graduating from Wamego High School. Allie Morton, class president, stated, "A scholarship has the possibility of little-by-little impacting many people's lives. Our class wanted to leave a lasting legacy." While the Class of 2005 Scholarship is to support the recipient’s education at any accredited post-secondary or training institution, the class officers provide applicants an opportunity to complete an unusual essay topic: “If you could be any household appliance, what would you be and why?” The class officers thought that this out-of–the-ordinary topic would allow both the applicants and reviewers to have fun with the application process. The scholarship was established in July 2005. Click here to donate to this fund.

Wamego Telephone Company, Inc. Scholarships (5)
(approx. $750)
Wamego Telephone Company, Inc. has always considered it important to give back to the educational efforts of youth within each community it serves. These one-time scholarships were established in 1998 to reward those students who have excelled during their high school years.

Sarah Katherine Watt Education Fund (approx. $500)
Sarah Katherine Watt (1982-2006) was a student at Kansas State University majoring in life science, with minors in entomology and plant pathology. While attending school, she worked either full time or part time while attending classes either full time or part time. Sarah’s goals were to earn her Master’s degree and Ph.D., and teach at the college level. She recognized that her working interfered with her ability to concentrate on her classes; shortly before her death, Sarah said she planned in the future to establish a fund that would help “B” and “C” students who had to work to attend college.

To honor her memory and her wishes, her family and friends established the Sarah Katherine Watt Education Fund in March 2006. The purpose of the fund is to provide grants to students at K-State who are majoring in life sciences, who have “B” or “C” GPAs, and who have to work to attend college. Click here to donate to this fund.


* About WCF Annual Reports Board of Directors Contact Us Donate Today Establish a Fund Existing Funds Financials Giving Back News & Events Mission Statement Policies Scholarships Testimonials	CURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS Gaylord Belton Memorial Scholarship (approx. $500) The children of Gaylord Belton established this memorial scholarship in March 2008 in memory of their father. One scholarship will be awarded each year. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Special consideration will be given to students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Financial need will be considered. Jeff Birney (Fox) Memorial Scholarship (approx. $250) In 2000, the family of Jeff Birney (Fox) established a scholarship fund in honor of his memory. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a Wamego High School graduating senior who has participated in both the Federated Kids Wrestling Program and Wamego High School Wrestling program. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Past participation in the Wamego Federation Wrestling program (Roughriders or Jr. Red Raiders) and the WHS wrestling program is required. The student does not have to plan to participate in wrestling in college. A one-page essay is required: “How Wrestling Contributed to my Personal Development.” The following information should be attached to your essay: The number of years (and dates) you were in Federation wrestling; The number of years (and dates) you were in high school wrestling; Your Federated wrestling achievements (include leadership roles); and Your high school wrestling achievements (include leadership roles). Kevin Dekat Memorial Jazz Scholarship (approx. $250) Mike and Janice Dekat established this scholarship fund in 2004 to honor the memory of their son, Kevin Dekat, who was a drummer in the Wamego High School Jazz Band. Through this fund, a $250 scholarship is awarded annually to a Wamego High School graduating senior who played in Wamego’s Jazz Band during high school. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Must have participated in the Wamego High School Jazz Band. Financial need will be considered. Special consideration will be given to students who have shown leadership qualities during their high school years. Sue Eichman Education Fund Scholarship (approx. $500) This pass-through scholarship is presented through the Community Foundation each year by Sue Eichman, life-long resident and supporter of Wamego and student education. The first scholarship was awarded in April 2008. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Preference will be given to a student who plans to major in business. Helm Sisters Memorial Scholarship (approx. $500) This scholarship fund was formed in 2004 by Bill Baxter, a life-long resident of Wamego, former local postmaster, and long-time friend to the community, in memory of Dora Henry, Nettie Weeks, Jennie Banks, Minnie Stelzner, and Lula Baxter, who grew up near Belvue. This fund awards a $500 annual scholarship to a Wamego High School graduating senior who has demonstrated steady academic improvement throughout high school. In step with Mr. Baxter’s beliefs about education and opportunities for success, the ideal recipient for this scholarship is a student who had a bit of a rough start in high school but, by graduation, is a “ball of fire.” Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. While a minimum GPA is not specified, the recipient shall have demonstrated steady academic improvement during high school. The recipient may have had a rough start in high school and by graduation is a “ball of fire.” Special consideration will be given to students who have been involved in a school organization. Financial need will be considered. Gus Hildebrand Memorial Scholarships (2) (approx. $250) In March 2008, family and friends of August "Gus" Hildebrand established a memorial scholarship fund in his honor. Gus, the son of Dr. James and Callie Hildebrand, Wamego, passed away in 2003; he was a 1990 graduate of Wamego High School and attended Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, and Chicago Hospitality Institute of Culinary Arts, where he earned a degree as a graduate chef. Gus touched the heart, soul, and life of everyone he met; with this scholarship fund, Gus’s memory will live on in the heart, soul, and life of every student who receives a scholarship in his name. This fund awards two high school students, generally one from Wamego and one from Rock Creek, with special consideration to students who plan to enter a culinary arts program. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria When possible, one recipient shall be a graduating senior of Wamego High School (KS) and one recipient shall be a graduating senior of Rock Creek High School (KS). Available for attendance at any accredited college, university, technical, or trade school in the fall directly after graduation from high school. Special consideration will be given to students entering a culinary arts program at any accredited school. Special consideration will be given to students who belong to at least two civic or school organizations or clubs. Financial need will be considered. Hilliard Family Memorial Scholarship (approx. $1,000) The Hilliard Family Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in April 2005 in memory of Chet "C.B." Hilliard and his love of golf. Chet (1905-2005) did not take up the game of golf until he was more than 50 years old. Nevertheless, he quickly became a very proficient golfer and won many golf tournaments during his career, including the Kansas State Senior Men’s Championship when he was 85 years old. This is remarkable considering he was playing in the bracket of senior men who were 70 years of age or older. Very few golfers ever shoot a score which is equal to or less than their age, but he accomplished this on several occasions. Chet made several holes-in-one during his life, including one at Wamego Country Club’s very long and difficult par 3 hole (#6). Chet retired from playing golf at the age of 90 to care for his beloved wife, Dorothy, who preceded him in death. He continued to love the game and was an avid watcher of golf on TV. One day in his 100th year, he rode off into the sunset on his golf cart to be reunited with Dorothy. He was a long-time member of both the Wamego and Topeka Country Clubs. The family wishes to recognize a graduating senior who participated in the Wamego High School golf program during the recipient's senior year. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior who participated in the Wamego High School Golf Program during the recipient's senior year. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Click here to donate to this scholarship fund John Lawless Memorial Scholarship (approx. $500) Because of his belief in higher education and wish to support a deserving student athlete, the family of John Lawless established a memorial scholarship in February of 2004 in memory of his life. John was a Kansas State University agriculture researcher for many years. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Must be male. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Special consideration will be given to students who have participated in athletics as well as those who have shown leadership qualities during their high school years. Financial need will be considered LeRoy and Roberta Miller Scholarship Funds (2) (approx. $1,000) LeRoy and Roberta Miller are life-long residents of Wamego, where they worked and raised their family. They established these scholarship funds in January 2010 to reward two Wamego High School graduating seniors who have shown leadership qualities while in high school and who have maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to two Wamego High School graduating seniors. Available to students who have maintained a minimum of 2.5 GPA. Available for attendance at any 2-year or 4-year accredited Kansas school. Special consideration will be given to students who have shown leadership qualities in high school. Special consideration will be given to students intending to major in agriculture, education, or music. A one-page essay is required: "Why I have chosen my particular field of study and what I intend to accomplish with this degree." Robert and Edna Mae Peddicord Scholarship Fund (1) (approx. $1,000) Robert "Bob" Peddicord was a life-long resident and business owner in Wamego. Here he and Edna raised their two children Lynn and Bobby who both graduated from college with honors. Edna saw the value in education and wanted to find a way to help others to achieve this goal. She established this fund to honor her husband and to assist a deserving Wamego High School graduating senior who plans on continuing their education. Criteria Available to one Wamego High School graduating senior. Available to students who have maintained a minimum of 2.5 GPA. Available for attendance at any accredited school. Special consideration will be given to students studying music, drama & theater arts, education or the healing arts. Scholorship is renewable for up to $500 for each year of continuing education. Pickering Award This fund was established in 2000 by the Pickering family, many of whom lived in the Wamego community for several years. The family wanted to give something back to the community they loved. They established the Fund to reward the accomplishments of the Wamego High School valedictorian and salutatorian on an annual basis. Award Amount - The Fund's Earnings (2/3 goes to the valedictorian and 1/3 goes to the salutatorian). Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to the Wamego High School valedictorian and salutatorian. Selection for the award is based on the school district’s determination of the valedictorian and salutatorian. R-Tech Tool & Machine Scholarship (approx. $250) Doug and Rachelle Routh of R-Tech Tool & Machine, a local manufacturing firm started in 1992, established this endowed scholarship fund in December 2008 to assist graduating students of Wamego High School who plan to study metal fabrication (welding, machine tool, etc.). Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any accredited school (vocational, college, or university level). Special consideration will be given to students who are members of the FFA. Special consideration will be given to students who plan to study metal fabrication. Special consideration will be given to students with "B" or "C" GPAs. Special consideration will be given to students who are required to work in order to fund their college education. Financial need will be considered. Rebecca Sester Memorial Scholarship (approx. $250) Rebecca Sester's love for music led her family to establish this scholarship fund to honor her memory by helping graduating students of Wamego High School who have been active participants in the school’s band programs. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Must have participated in more than one aspect of the Wamego High School band program. Special consideration will be given to students who have attained honor roll status throughout high school. Special consideration will be given to students who have shown leadership qualities during their high school years. A one-page essay is required: “What Music has Brought to my Life and how I Will use it in the Future” Teresa Ann Siebert Memorial Scholarship (approx. $300) Teresa Ann Siebert’s values and beliefs were cultivated by growing up in Wamego. Upon her passing, her family wanted to do something in her memory that would benefit female graduates of Wamego High School who want to continue their education. With that in mind, the family organized the Teresa Ann Siebert Memorial Scholarship Fund. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Must be female. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Financial need will be considered. Special consideration will be given to students who have a strong desire to succeed. A one-page essay is required: “How Furthering my Education is Important to my Future.” Wamego Community Scholarship (approx. $300) The Wamego Community Foundation established a general scholarship fund to benefit a Wamego High School graduating senior who has demonstrated significant involvement in the Wamego Community. Donations from private donors, local businesses, and memorial contributions have helped this fund grow over time. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2009. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Generally one scholarship will be awarded annually. Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Preference will be given to a student who has demonstrated significant involvement in the Wamego community. Available for attendance at any accredited school. Applicants must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on “How I made a difference in my community.” The Wamego Community Foundation scholarship committee will choose the recipient. Wamego City Hospital Scholarships (4)($500) The Wamego Hospital Association established these pass-through scholarships in March 2008 to further education of students pursuing careers in the health field. Four scholarships are available. Criteria Two scholarships are available to Wamego High School graduating seniors; one scholarship is available to a Rock Creek High School graduating senior; and one scholarship is available to a Wabaunsee High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Must major in health care curriculum. Wamego High School Class of 1968 Scholarship (approx. $250) The Wamego High School graduating class of 1968 originally established a scholarship fund on their own in 1993 by opening a checking account to be used solely for scholarship donations and awards. Each year a committee from the class of ’68 would choose one recipient for a $250 scholarship and write a check from the checking account directly to that student. Fifteen years later, they realized that establishing the scholarship fund through the Community Foundation would allow the recipient, their parents, and the benefactors to be recognized at the annual Awards Luncheon; allow all donations to the fund to be fully tax deductible as a charitable contribution; and allow the fund to become endowed and live on in perpetuity. In April 2008, the class of 1968 moved the fund to the Wamego Community Foundation, and the first scholarship was awarded in 2009. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any accredited school. Financial need will be considered. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. Wamego High School Class of 2005 Scholarship (approx. $100) The Class of 2005 continued their tradition of "firsts" when they became the first Wamego High School class to establish a scholarship fund through the Wamego Community Foundation for a senior graduating from Wamego High School. Allie Morton, class president, stated, "A scholarship has the possibility of little-by-little impacting many people's lives. Our class wanted to leave a lasting legacy." While the Class of 2005 Scholarship is to support the recipient’s education at any accredited post-secondary or training institution, the class officers provide applicants an opportunity to complete an unusual essay topic: “If you could be any household appliance, what would you be and why?” The class officers thought that this out-of–the-ordinary topic would allow both the applicants and reviewers to have fun with the application process. The scholarship was established in July 2005. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Available to a Wamego High School graduating senior. Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Demonstrates involvement at Wamego High School and the community. Provides a statement of post-high school plans. Submits an essay of 250 words or less on “If you could be any household appliance, what would you be and why? Wamego Telephone Company, Inc. Scholarships (5) (approx. $750) Wamego Telephone Company, Inc. has always considered it important to give back to the educational efforts of youth within each community it serves. These one-time scholarships were established in 1998 to reward those students who have excelled during their high school years. Criteria Available to a graduating senior at each high school in WTC's service area (Wamego, Rock Creek, Wabaunsee, and St. Marys (High School and Academy). Available for attendance at any 2- or 4-year accredited school. Selection is based on the academic performance of students. Financial need will be considered. Sarah Katherine Watt Education Fund (approx. $500) Sarah Katherine Watt (1982-2006) was a student at Kansas State University majoring in life science, with minors in entomology and plant pathology. While attending school, she worked either full time or part time while attending classes either full time or part time. Sarah’s goals were to earn her Master’s degree and Ph.D., and teach at the college level. She recognized that her working interfered with her ability to concentrate on her classes; shortly before her death, Sarah said she planned in the future to establish a fund that would help “B” and “C” students who had to work to attend college. To honor her memory and her wishes, her family and friends established the Sarah Katherine Watt Education Fund in March 2006. The purpose of the fund is to provide grants to students at K-State who are majoring in life sciences, who have “B” or “C” GPAs, and who have to work to attend college. Click here to donate to this fund. Criteria Must attend Kansas State University and major in life science (or similar or related majors), with emphasis to be given to students who have an interest in or are working toward a minor (or major, if offered) in entomology. Special consideration will be given to students from Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, and Riley counties. Special consideration will be given to students who have completed 24 or more semesters hours at K-State and who have GPAs of at least 2.0 but not higher than 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Preference will be given to students with a financial need who are required to work at least 15 hours per week in order to fund their college education. Preference will be given to undergraduate students.
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