Whitefish High School seniors receive local scholarships

Whitefish Education Foundation held their second annual scholarship awards ceremony at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 19.  

Forty-two seniors – 33% of the class of 2025 - came cap and gown adorned to receive their awards from community members.  

The awards ceremony is an endearing evening not just for the recipients and their supporters, but for those who chose to give.  

Many grantees have established memorial scholarships in honor of lost loved ones or for causes that are near to their hearts.  

For some, community scholarships help larger organizations or groups give back.  

By having a ceremony, the local grantees get to physically see and embrace their awardees, offering smiles, handshakes, hugs and tears to see the next generation off. 

It is also a special night for those who give their time.  

The volunteer-led WEF scholarship mentorship program was piloted in January 2024 and has been a resounding success. 

Under the supervision of the Whitefish High School counselors, volunteer mentors assist students in navigating the scholarship search and application process, in addition to helping with college applications.  

This year saw the expansion of the mentorship program to include the Whitefish Independent High School.  

“The generosity of our community, it’s all a reflection of a very special place, I could speak about three decades worth of this place,” said Principal Kerry Drown at the ceremony. “And to our seniors on the final stretch, congratulations. This night maintains hope and excitement for the future.” 

“We have an outstanding team – thank you to each of our counselors, Mike Tompkins, Lyndsey Marshall, and Ross Lingle,” Drown added. “They do a lot to help everyone get to this point, working with many volunteers.”  

Kim Solem and Caroline Frisbee have been integral in leading the WEF’s volunteer efforts, coordinating over 20 volunteers, who met with over 120 students from September through April.  

Frisbee said they are always looking for new volunteers.  

“No specific background is required - just a passion for working with students in helping them achieve their goal of continuing their education,” Frisbee said.  

In addition to mentoring, WEF facilitates multiple types of awards, whether one time or recurring, on behalf of groups or individuals.  

This year they facilitated two new scholarships, the Lonnie Collinsworth Scholarship and the Dane Hunt Kindness Scholarship.  

Those interesting in volunteering can email foundation@whitefishschools.org. Anyone interested in exploring scholarship opportunities can email wefdirector@whitefishschools.org 

2025 Community Scholarship Awards 

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS 

Herriges Family Scholarship: Kira Raines, Addison Woody, Kaitleen To 

E. A. Hinderman Memorial Scholarships: Holden Coleman, Kaber Cheff, Scott Dalen, Kona Duchardt, Isaac Gibbs, Sebastian Hiebert, Avarie MacKenzie, Georgia Morrell, Jack Muhlfeld, Kira Raines, Jackson Schindler, Lucca Sisson-Shoff, Kaitleen Ann To, Levi Wilson, Addison Woody     

Michael Kuchenbrod Memorial Scholarship: Carson Gulick 

The Traci Stolte Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Rossi, Iona Sarraille 

Helen Mulloy Memorial - Whitefish Education Foundation: Lauren Rossi, Iona Sarraille 

Emily Leighty - DKG Lambda Scholarship: Yoli Krastev 

Gladys Spear Scholarship: Charlotte Perkins 

Margaret Fellows Memorial and Jane Fellows Scholarship: Jackson Schindler 

John Michaels Memorial Scholarship: Levi Wilson 

Jack Quatman Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Rossi 

Ted Lund Memorial Student Athlete: Christian Schwaderer, Gretel Vine, Georgia Morrell, Isabella Wilson, Walton Seigmund 

Jim Withrow Memorial Scholarship: Christian Schwaderer 

Tracy Maddux Memorial Scholarship: Georgia Morrell 

Kim Dowaliby Memorial Scholarship: Kellie Klepper 

Stefanie K. Daily Memorial Scholarship: Avarie MacKenzie 

Pam Fredenberg Memorial Scholarship: Mary “Maggie” Mercer 

Wayde Davis Family Memorial Scholarship: Avery Caton 

COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS 

WHS Alumni: Isaac Gibbs 

Whitefish Education Foundation Community Service Scholarship: Charlotte Perkins, Elijah Adams-Griffin 

Muldown Scholastic Scholarship: Gretel Vine 

Whitefish Rotary Scholarship: Ethan Amick, Georgia Morrell, Otto Klein, Brannon Beers 

Glacier Medical Associates: Kaydence Blackwell, Kaitleen To 

Whitefish Classified Employees Association Scholarships: Kaitleen To 

Whitefish Bulldog Booster: Kaydence Blackwell, Iona Sarraille 

Flathead Electric Cooperative Scholarship: Zoey Marzo, Walton Seigmund 

Smile Montana Scholarship: Jack Muhlfeld 

Ortho Rehab Scholarship: Walton Seigmund 

Don K Chevrolet-Subaru-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram Scholarship: Brannan Beers 

Glacier Bank Scholarship: Lauren Rossi, Christian Schwaderer 

The Barbara Mansfield Champion Scholar: Kira Raines, Addison Woody 

Reach Higher Montana Scholarship: Kira Raines 

Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship: Kaitleen To 

The Kiita Foundation Scholarship: Kira Raines, Jackson Schindler 

The Jean Atkinson Driggers Scholarship: Guinivere Hannigan 

P.E.O Chapter D local Scholarship: Kaitleen To 

Flathead Conservation District: Reid Alexander 

Whitefish Winter Carnival Prince Frey and Princess Freya: David Walz, Kaitleen To 

The Hawkins Foundation Scholarship: Christian Schwaderer, June Callaway, Reid Alexander, Gretel Vine, Jackson Schindler, Georgia Morrell, Brannan Beers 

Logan Health Foundation Scholarship: Georgia Morrell 

The Whitefish Police Protective Association Scholarship: Kaitleen To, Otto Klein 

The Lonnie Collinsworth Scholarship: Scotty Dalen 

Whitefish Lake Institute Ripple Effect Scholarship: Reid Alexander, Otto Klein 

The Dane Hunt Kindness Scholarship: Logan Bingham 

MONTANA UNVERSITY SYSTEM SCHOLARSHIPS 

Montana University System Honor Scholarships: Ethan Amick, Wesley Bridgewater, Isaac Gibbs, Zoey Marzo, Jackson Schindler 

Montana STEM/Healthcare Scholarships: Ethan Amick, Wesley Bridgewater, Isaac Gibbs, Avarie MacKenzie, Georgia Morrell, Matthew Ramsey, Jackson Schindler, Rachael Wilmot 

    Jackson Schindler is presented the Margaret Fellows Memorial and Jane Fellows Scholarship by Mikey Wynn. Jane Fellows name was recently added to the scholarship for her role with Whitefish Theatre Company. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Levi Wilson receives the John Michael Memorial Scholarship from Michael's family members. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Kaitleen To receives the Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship, presented by Christine Hensleigh. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Yoli Krastev receives the Emily Leighty/DKG Lambda scholarship, presented by Jesse Kuntz. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish Education Foundation volunteers Caroline Frisbee and Kim Solem at the conclusion of the scholarship awards ceremony on May 19. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish High School seniors are awarded scholarships at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 19. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)