Wisconsin County Launches Six New Scholarships for Students

Local families in Dunn County, Wisconsin are turning personal memories into educational opportunities for the next generation.

The Community Foundation of Dunn County just announced six new scholarship programs in 2025, created by donors who want to honor loved ones while helping students pursue their dreams. The scholarships cover everything from diesel mechanics to teaching, agriculture to business, giving students across seven local high schools new pathways to afford college or technical training.

Each scholarship tells a story. The Merlyn and Shirley Jones Scholarship celebrates a 1958 Boyceville graduate who devoted his life to agricultural research, offering $1,000 to students pursuing farming, business, or political science. The McKenna Marie Kay Johnson Memorial turns a grandfather's grief into hope, supporting students entering the trucking and transportation industry.

Two scholarships honor educator Linda Krueger, known as "Señora" at Menomonie High School. One awards $1,000 for business students, while another offers $5,000 for students committed to Spanish language studies who've completed at least four years of coursework. Both reflect her dual passions for teaching and entrepreneurship.

The Beverly Meritt Legacy Scholarship supports future teachers specializing in elementary or special education, honoring a career defined by compassion for students with diverse needs. The Tim DeAtley Memorial helps aspiring mechanics, with preference for students touched by cancer or active in their communities.

Students from Menomonie, Colfax, Boyceville, Elk Mound, Mondovi, Durand, and Eleva-Strum High Schools can apply through the foundation's website. Most awards require a minimum 3.0 GPA, and several prioritize students with financial need.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than cover tuition. They connect students to mentors they'll never meet, creating bridges between generations of community members who believe in investing locally.

When families choose to establish scholarships, they're saying education matters more than monuments. They're turning personal loss or gratitude into practical help that compounds over time. A single $1,000 scholarship might be the difference between a student attending technical school or setting aside career dreams for financial reasons.

The variety of fields covered matters too. Not every student is college-bound, and not every career requires a four-year degree. By supporting technical education in trucking, mechanics, and skilled trades alongside traditional academic paths, these scholarships recognize that communities need diverse talents.

Applications are open now, with deadlines varying by school. Guidance counselors have the details students need to apply.