Scholarships

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior attending a two or four year college with a minimum 2.0 G.P.A. Preference will be given to applicants with a diagnosed learning disability.

Todd Little was a senior at Marion High School when he died of sudden heart failure on April 21, 1999. Todd was a member of SODA, TATU and Win With Wellness. He was a leader in track, baseball, football and basketball and was the 1998 Homecoming King. Todd received 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-Metro honors in football, 2nd Team All –Conference and All Metro Honorable mention in basketball. Coaching for Unified Sports was one way Todd worked with younger children His family offers this scholarship in Todd’s memory to a graduating Marion High School senior.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior planning on attending Kirkwood Community College. A minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 is required and preference will be given to a student demonstrating financial need.

Jeffrey Alan Rehnstrom was a 1997 graduate of Marion High School. During his years at M.H.S. Jeff participated in many activities with football being his favorite. Following high school Jeff attended Kirkwood Community College where he was studying business. This endowment has been established by his family to assist other Marion High School graduates who plan on attending Kirkwood Community College.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior, or prior M.H.S. graduate attending a two or four year college. Preference will be given to a student demonstrating an interest in foreign language

Justin Turner graduated from MHS in 1992. He ranked 4^th in his class academically and was active in many school activities including GFBLA, band, sports, National Honor Society, Students Council, and Knowledge Bowl. Justin was chosen for National Council on Youth Leadership and was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students for 3 years. He was a Business Horizons graduate and also went to the Soviet Union with his Russian class. Justin was an Eagle Scout with 52 merit badges and all 3 palms. Justin attended Brigham Young University for a year and was majoring in International Business and Russian. He was serving a 2 year mission in Chile for the LDS Church when he died of heart arrhythmia on February 21, 1994. Justin is remembered for his zest for life, sense of humor, love of adventure and positive outlook. The Justin Turner Memorial Scholarship is for an above average student of high character who participates in school and community activities. Preference is given to those majoring in business and/or foreign language.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior attending a two or four year college. Scholarships will be offered for students pursuing the following areas of study: English, writing or journalism, advanced math or graphic arts.

The Ratliff-Ames Memorial Scholarship has been established to honor the dedication and success of Dr. Dorothy Jean Ratliff, a 1944 graduate of Marion High School, her brother, Dr. Jack Ratliff, a 1948 graduate of Marion High School, and their younger cousin, Anne Christine Ames, a 1979 graduate of Marion High School. Dr. Dorothy Ratliff was an instructor of Advanced English and Creative Writing Virgil Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, and Dr. Jack Ratliff is a professor of higher mathematics at the University of Southern California, Riverside. Their younger cousin Anne Ames was a very talented graphic artist earning both state and national awards. To honor their commitment to educational excellence this endowment has been established for Marion High School graduating seniors demonstrating motivation and a desire to succeed.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior attending a two or four year college.

Michael McGrew attended Marion schools from kindergarten until his graduation from Marion High School in 1988. He was a member of the baseball team, golf team and video club. Michael was also active in the Marion YMCA where he enjoyed working with younger children. He was working in Lawrenceville, Georgia when he died following injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. Michael will always be remembered as fun loving, strong-minded and a sensitive loving son and brother who loved people and the outdoors. The Michael McGrew Memorial Scholarship has been established for a hard working student who wants to achieve by furthering his or her education.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior planning to attend a two or four year college. The applicant will be required to demonstrate involvement in co-curricular activities and/or community service.

Kelly Grishaber was completing her freshman year at MHS in the spring of 1979 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. For the next two years she courageously battled this illness while continuing to attend classes and school activities, always with the positive attitude that she would overcome her illness. During this time Kelly is remembered for her enthusiastic participation in and total devotion to the cheerleading squad, highlighted by the MHS football class 3A 1980 State Championship. Kelly succumbed to leukemia on May 9, 1981. Her family and friends learned much from her positive attitude toward life, her joyous creativity and most of all, her courage in facing her terminal illness. The Kelly Grishaber Memorial Scholarship is for a graduating senior who exhibits good character, a positive attitude and a desire to pursue further education.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior attending a two or four year college. Preference will be given to a student majoring in business administration or foreign language.

An honor roll student and a 1992 graduate of Marion High School, Jay was a member of the National Honor Society, the Thespian Club and S.A.D.D. (Students Against Drunk Drivers). Jay’s interest in foreign languages enabled him to receive the Fulbright Medal in French. Jay was known for being involved in many activities including track, baseball, basketball and football. His love for football and the respect from his teammates enabled him to play his senior year as a Varsity Football Captain. He loved weight lifting and spent many hours in the weight room with friends. Jay was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. By doing national commercials and print work he was able to travel to many places and meet many people. His love for the Marion community and his many friends made him appreciate the education he was able to gain throughout his years at the Marion Independent Schools. The Jay White Memorial Educational Enhancement Endowment was established to initially continue the evening tutorial program at the High School. Eventually this fund will be used for other educational enhancements for the students at Marion Independent. The scholarships given in memory of Jay White are to be awarded to Marion High School graduating seniors with an interest in foreign language and a commitment to succeed.

Requirements: M.H.S. graduating senior who will be attending Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

The John Scarborough Miller Trust was established in 1974 by Inez S. Miller in memory of her son, John who died on died in September of 1945 while serving in World War II. John Miller achieved the rank of Lieutenant and was a member of a B-29 flight crew. At the time of his death he was stationed in Saipan. John graduated from Marion High School in 1941 and attended the University of Iowa for eighteen months prior to serving in the military. While in high school, John participated in band, glee club, chorus, and other music groups. He served on the staff of the VOX and the Quill. John was a member of Delta Sigma Delta and Zeta Mu Epsilon. He served his community as a Gazette carrier.

This scholarship has provided over $350,000 in scholarships (over the past 25 years.)

Requirements: Entering 8^th through 12^th grade at Marion High School; interested in instrumental music, having participated in band for at least two years. Preference will be given to students demonstrating commitment through regular music lesson attendance.

This scholarship is offered in memory of Zach Peterson, a 2001 graduate of Marion High School. Zach loved music and was an accomplished percussionist. His family has established this fund to support and encourage other young aspiring musicians.

Requirements: Graduation senior at Marion High School who is currently enrolled as a full-time student and has been accepted into a two or four-year accredited college.

This scholarship is being offered to a graduating Marion High School senior enrolled in an accredited college. The Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary supports Marion youth and their continuing education.

Requirements: Graduating senior at Marion High School who is currently enrolled as a full-time student. Student must be accepted into a two or four-year accredited college with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given to students demonstrating financial need.

This scholarship is being offered to a graduating senior at Marion High School by the Marion Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis Club of Marion has served the community since 1979 and has provided almost $40,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors in the Marion and Linn-Mar school districts. Preference will be given to students demonstrating a commitment to serve others.

James and Teresa Conklin Soccer Scholarship

The Conklins have established this scholarship to commemorate their love of soccer. Eligible applicants can be male or female and must have been a varsity soccer letter player at MHS for at least one year. Applicant must be a MHS graduating senior or MHS graduate. Applicant must also be enrolled in an institution of higher education (at least a two-year institution). Preference will be given to applicants having at least one 1^st Team Award, Prep 1^st Team All State. All awards must be at the State and Conference level soccer 1^st Teams or any state award.

MISD Foundation and Alumni Association Hall of Fame Scholarship

Requirements: Graduating MHS senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA, with demonstrated community service and extra curricular involvement. The scholarship is a one-time per person award.

 The 2006 award is given in honor of three MISD retirees and a MHS class of 1935 graduate and WWII hero. Marge Fiefield retired from MHS as Food Service Manager after 30 years of service. Reta Lemon retired from Vernon Middle School, but also taught 5^th and 6^th grades at Mentzer for a total of 28 years. William “Bill” Reed receives this honor posthumously (died in 1942 during WWII); he was an outstanding MHS athlete, a decorated soldier and a Flying Tiger. Loyd Shaffer retired from MHS as a Biology and P.E. teacher after 32 years. He also coached wrestling, football and girls track. The Foundation established this scholarship to recognize the achievements of its Hall of Fame honorees and to provide a deserving student additional resources in his/her pursuit of academic excellence in college.

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