From left, front, are Niagara High School secretary Darcy Brown, seniors Annalise Colenso, Diana Schemonia, Madison Bjorkman, and Niagara Area Scholarship Foundation trustee Liz Youren; back, seniors Austin Tripp, Jeran Collins and Hannah Dabb.  Schemonia and Bjorkman hold some of the 2019 NASF Alumni Scholarship Fund Drive letters that were mailed to NHS alumni across the nation last week.

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Niagara Area Scholarship Foundation is conducting its 24th annual Alumni Fund Scholarship Drive.

Special solicitation letters were mailed out last week by school staff members including high school secretary Darcy Brown, said NASF president Jim Dunnick. High school seniors have assisted with the process as have other students who have helped prepare the mailings.

In addition, this year donors are able to make their contributions online using Donor Box and a credit card. Simply go to the school website niagara.k12.wi.us and select “Scholarship Donations” on the top left side of the page. This will be a secure link where alumni may make single or recurring donations.

Since it was founded in 1993, NASF has awarded $117,235 in scholarships through funds it has raised primarily through its annual Alumni Fund Drive while it has also overseen the awarding of an additional $480,000 in scholarships through other scholarship sources they administer on behalf of the Niagara School District and many families who sponsor scholarships.

Since its inception, the NASF has led efforts that have resulted in the number of local scholarship dollars available to grow every year. As a result of the efforts of the NASF and the support of alumni, current and former teachers and staff members, local businesses and civic organizations, the number of scholarships and funds has increased annually to the benefit of each graduating class.

“Last year the Niagara Area Scholarship Foundation made it possible for 12 students to receive scholarships directly from funds raised from the NASF Fund Drive,” said school counselor Sherri Petschar. “All students who applied received one or more scholarships and recipients included those who are currently attending technical colleges, community colleges, as well as four-year universities and colleges, both public and private.”

The NASF is a tax-exempt community-based charitable foundation whose primary purpose is to raise funds to provide scholarships to students annually. In addition, NASF is in the process of creating an endowment fund that will continue to provide scholarships to future graduates of Niagara High School as they further their education at universities and technical colleges.

NASF also has administered the scholarship portfolio for the Niagara School District for many years. Current members of the organization include President Jim Dunnick, Vice President Kerry Grippen, Secretary Julie Butler, Treasurer Brenda Swanson, and trustees Chris Bougie, Darcy Brown, Nathan Burklund, Renae Colenso, John Fox, Sherri Petschar, Kim Schuster, Scott Trevillian, and Elizabeth Youren.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at Forward Financial Credit Union in Niagara in the basement conference room. Guests and new members are welcome to attend.