The 2022 Niagara Area Scholarship Foundation alumni fund drive got underway recently as about 800 letters were mailed to NHS alumni across the nation. Some of the students who assisted with the fund drive include, from left, front row, Dennis Ferreira, Isabelle Glenn, Autumn Kowalkowski; back row, Ben Anderson, Dominic Wojdyla, Larlee Oho and Ben Gordon.

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Niagara Area Scholarship Foundation has announced that its 28th annual Alumni Fund Scholarship Drive has gotten underway.

According to NASF president Kim Schuster, special solicitation letters are currently being mailed out by school staff members including high school secretary Darcy Brown and NASF secretary Julie Butler.

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 over $130,000 in scholarships through funds it has raised primarily through its annual Alumni Fund Drive. In addition, NASF has also overseen the awarding of more than an additional $550,000 in scholarships through other scholarship sources they administer on behalf of the Niagara School District and the 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 eight students to receive scholarships directly from funds raised from the NASF Alumni Fund Drive and from other scholarships administered by NASF,” said School Counselor Sherri Petschar,” All students who applied,” Petschar continued, “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. Current members of the organization include President Kim Schuster, Vice President Kerry Grippen, Secretary Julie Butler, Treasurer Brenda Swanson, and trustees Chris Bougie, Darcy Brown, Nathan Burklund, Jim Dunnick, Sherri Petschar, Kim Schuster, Tammy Tripp, Scott Trevillian, Dr. Lindsay Whaley 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.