Alton Educators' Legacy Lives On in $2K Scholarship

A new scholarship is keeping the spirit of two beloved educators alive in Alton, Illinois, while helping students chase their dreams of serving others.

The Wigger Memorial Scholarship honors Jim and Emily Wigger, who spent their careers shaping young minds in the Alton School District. Jim wasn't just a teacher—he coached track and field teams to three state championships in the 1960s, while both he and Emily fought passionately for equity and inclusion for every student who walked through their doors.

Now their three sons are making sure that legacy continues. They've established a $2,000 annual scholarship for Alton High seniors heading to college to pursue careers in community service.

"We are honored to pay tribute to our parents by establishing a scholarship fund that will help provide students each year with an opportunity to attend college in pursuit of a career that will serve community values," the brothers said in a joint statement. "Our parents were incredible role models for us, as well as for their students, and this scholarship allows us to continue their legacy of giving."

The Alton Educational Foundation will handle the application process and award decisions. The first scholarship will be awarded this April to a graduating senior who demonstrates the same commitment to serving others that Jim and Emily showed throughout their lives.

The Ripple Effect

This scholarship does more than provide financial support for one student each year. It reinforces the powerful message that teaching, coaching, and advocating for others leaves marks that outlast a single lifetime.

The Wigger brothers could have honored their parents in countless ways, but they chose to invest in the next generation of community servants. That decision means Jim and Emily's dedication to education and equity will touch students who never had the chance to meet them.

Students interested in applying can find the application through the Alton High Guidance Department or on the Alton Educational Foundation's website. The deadline is March 30.

One family's tribute will give countless students the chance to serve their communities for years to come.