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IRON MOUNTAIN -- The family of Elizabeth "Betty" Wentarmini Simon has established a new scholarship at Iron Mountain High School in accordance with her wishes.
Betty was born Sept. 24, 1924, in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1942. She married Eugene "Gene" A. Simon of Norway, a World War II fighter pilot, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on June 15, 1944. After the war, Betty and Gene returned to Iron Mountain, where Betty began a long and successful career as an accountant with W.B. Thompson Co. She retired in 1999 at the age of 75 after an impressive 52 years with the company.
Throughout her life, Betty was active in her church and community. She was involved with the Ladies Guild at Immaculate Conception Church, volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul and the gift shop at the Marshfield Medical Center hospital, and was an adorer at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Adoration Chapel.
An avid card player, Betty was a longtime member of both bridge and 500 clubs. She also enjoyed traveling, visiting many countries and taking several cruises throughout her lifetime. Betty learned to play the organ in 1970 and enjoyed playing, as well as baking and cooking. She was known for her generosity, her strong Catholic faith, and her devotion to the people and community around her.
That spirit of generosity will continue through a remarkable gift Betty left to future generations of Iron Mountain High School students.
Through her trust, Betty generously donated $200,000 to the IMHS Scholarship Program, with a special desire to help young women pursue a college education. Fittingly, the scholarship honors Betty's own professional background by supporting students interested in accounting, business, and finance.
To be eligible for the Elizabeth "Betty" Simon Scholarship, applicants must be graduates of Iron Mountain High School and plan to pursue a four-year degree in accounting, business or finance. Priority will be given to female students planning to study accounting. If no eligible female graduates apply, male applicants will also be considered. Students may begin their education at a two-year college and must have maintained a minimum 3.00 grade-point average throughout high school.
The scholarship will provide $10,000 per year for up to four years, provided the recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements, representing a potential $40,000 investment in each recipient's education.
Iron Mountain High School is honored to be the recipient of Betty's extraordinary generosity. We continue to be humbled by alumni and community members who choose to invest in the future of our students. Through this gift, Betty's legacy of hard work, generosity and commitment to education will live on, creating opportunities for future Mountaineers for years to come.