Saint Mary’s University honors Rochester couple with Heritage Award April 12

Remicks pledge $8 million gift for scholarships

Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester received the Saint Mary’s University Heritage Award from Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s, during the university’s annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner April 12. At the event, the couple’s recent $8 million scholarship donation was announced.

WINONA, Minn. — Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester, Minn., were presented with the Saint Mary’s University Heritage Award for Transformational Philanthropy April 12 at the university’s annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner. The Heritage Award recognizes special individuals whose exceptional philanthropy has significantly transformed the university and positioned Saint Mary’s for a second century of excellence in education.

In one demonstration of this extraordinary generosity, it was announced Saturday that the Remicks have committed $8 million to be used for scholarships. This gift — the largest single donation ever pledged to Saint Mary’s — will be directed to the university’s First Generation Initiative. Mary Ann currently serves as chair of the First Generation Initiative advisory board, and the Remicks are long-time supporters of FGI and its Countdown to College program, which prepares first generation high-schoolers for college. Their financial contributions to this program have helped many young students reach their academic dreams.

The Remicks are inspirational champions of education and long-time supporters of Saint Mary’s University. Jack and Mary Ann have served on the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees for a combined 15 years and counting (Jack from 1999 to 2004 and Mary Ann beginning in 2004).

Their true passion lies in making education accessible and affordable for new generations of learners. The two formed the Saint Mary’s University Remick Fellows program in 1998, through which aspiring and current Catholic schoolteachers and administrators receive financial support and encouragement.

“It was Jack’s strong feeling that we started the Countdown to College program to help these kids — who come from challenging backgrounds — prepare for college, and they’ve worked really hard and they’ve done really well,” Mary Ann Remick said. “We really felt that we couldn’t let these kids down. We promised them an opportunity at a good college education. It has been a real joy to watch them become these very competent, capable seniors in high school who can now successfully move on to college.”

“The Heritage Award is only given to those who have exhibited ‘transformational philanthropy.’ There are no other words that could begin to define the work that the Remicks have done at Saint Mary’s. Their gifts ensure that bright young students with economic challenges, but also endless potential, be given the opportunity to excel academically,” Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s, said. “This has been our ongoing dream that every student who has a desire to attend college have the opportunity to do so. We are so very grateful that the Remicks have shared in our educational vision.”

“It really is an honor and a privilege to be given the Heritage Award,” Mary Ann Remick added. “We aren’t alums, but we have come to really love and appreciate Saint Mary’s and the people who are there, and they’ve allowed us to help them dream.”

Partnership brings Polish students to Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — A three-way partnership is allowing four Polish students to attend college in the United States. The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Winona campus is richer for their international presence and participation. The Wasie Foundation, the Gostomski Family Foundation and Saint Mary’s University join to offer full scholarships each year to qualified students of 100 percent Polish ancestry. And each year the college hosts a lunch to let the students get to know and thank their benefactors. Pictured are, from left: back, Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s; Mike Gostomski of the Gostomski Family Foundation; Jan Preble of the Wasie Foundation; and Ryan Gostomski of the Gostomski Family Foundation; front, SMU scholarship recipients Marcin Sak, Marzena Drozd, Katarzyna Plawiak and Marta Aleszewicz.

Partnership brings Polish students to Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — A three-way partnership is allowing three Polish students to attend college in the United States. The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Winona campus is richer for their international presence and participation. The Wasie Foundation, the Gostomski Family Foundation and Saint Mary’s University join to offer a full scholarship each year to a qualified student from Poland. And each year the college hosts a lunch to let the students get to know and thank their benefactors. Pictured are, from left: Vickie Cada, SMU donor relations director; Audrey Kintzi, SMU vice president for development; Jan Preble, vice president at The Wasie Foundation; 2012-13 Polish scholars Marta Aleszewicz, Agnieszka Prusak and Katarzyna Plawiak; Mike and Ryan Gostomski of the Gostomski Family Foundation; and Dr. Steven Titus, SMU senior vice president for university advancement.

Matching grant helps SMU First-Generation Initiative raise $250,000 for scholarships

WINONA, Minn. — Through a generous matching grant, Rochester benefactors Jack and Mary Ann Remick have helped Saint Mary’s University raise $250,000 for First-Generation Initiative scholarships in 2012.

In January, the Remicks, longtime supporters of Saint Mary’s, gifted the university a $100,000 matching grant to raise funds for the First-Generation Initiative. This program provides full scholarships — and continuous support — to low-income, high-potential, qualified students, with preference given to Saint Mary’s Lasallian partner schools.

Brother Ed Siderewicz, director of the First-Generation Initiative, said that by early April the university met the $100,000 challenge and surpassed it, bringing the current total to approximately $250,000.

“Mary Ann Remick is chair of our First-Generation Advisory Board,” Siderewicz said. “She wanted others to learn about and consider supporting the program. These generous funds enable us to make commitments this fall to a new group of First-Generation students who would otherwise never have the opportunity to go to college.

“Working with inner-city high schools,” he said, “we identify promising minority youth who are at risk of dropping out of school, largely because of their dangerous environment, under-resourced communities, and lack of understanding about how higher education opportunities can be accessed.”

After identifying the best candidates as early as the ninth grade, Saint Mary’s invites these students to spend a portion of each summer at the Winona campus Countdown to College Program. When they obtain their high school diplomas, these students are then eligible for a full college scholarship.

Although First-Generation students are mainstreamed, they also have the specialized academic and social support they need to excel in school.

To learn more about the First-Generation Initiative, contact Siderewicz at esiderew@smumn.edu or (507) 457-6683. To read more about this program, go to www.firsgenerationstories.org.

SMU receives funds from IME-Becas to help Mexican students

Jessica de la Rosa, a SMU alum and admissions counselor, and Brother Ed Siderewicz, Assistant to the President for First Generation and LaSallian Initiatives

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University was one of three universities selected by the Consulate of Mexico in the Twin Cities to receive scholarship funding for Mexican and Mexican-American students. Mexican Consul Ana Luisa Fajer recognized recipients of the IME-Becas 2011/2012 Program at a ceremony in Minneapolis on Aug. 24.

Receiving funds from the Institute for Mexicans Abroad were: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; Centro, Inc.; Latino Economic Development Center; Minnesota State University, Mankato; and Saint Catherine’s University. Saint Mary’s received $9,000 for scholarships.

The objective of the IME-Becas 2011/2012 Program is to help raise the education level within the Mexican population in the United States. The Consulate of Mexico formed a Minnesota committee to determine the assignation of the funds to the selected institutions.

Saint Mary’s University’s First-Generation Initiative offers academic, personal and financial support to first-generation college students — many of whom are Hispanic and Latino — as they transition to higher education.

This committee based its decisions on the following criteria:

• The selected institutions have programs available to Mexican students or students of Mexican origin to pursue higher education.

• Institutions are able to match or improve the funds.

• There would be no indirect expenses affecting the allocated funds

• The selection process considered geographic diversity, as well as diverse professional opportunities for students in the Twin Cities area, as well as outside the metropolitan area where there is a significant number of Mexican people.

Laws of Life essay contest winners awarded April 20

Platinum winner, Sadie Doering, Hope Lutheran High School


Gold winner, Molly Berlin-Burns, Winona Senior High School


Silver winners, Jung Yeon Lim, left, Cotter High School; and Emily Mastenbrook, Winona Senior High. Not pictured is Dakota Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran.


The English class award winners from the Laws of Life Essay Contest are, from left: back, Nicole Haedtke, Amanda Schwerzler and Shaina Laska from Hope Lutheran and Emilio Taiveaho from Cotter; front, Michaela Peplinski, Eia Shina Lor, Tracy Yim and McKenna Marg from Cotter. Not pictured are Jeffrey Sia and Zhihua Chang from Cotter and Mike Hang from Winona Senior High.

Hope Lutheran blue ribbon award winners: Abbey Nelson, Jedidiah Cranor, Jordan Gahnz and Cadence Klemp.


Cotter blue ribbon winners: Ding Hua Cui, Mari Min, Fei Shen and Hannah Kosel.


Winona Senior High blue ribbon winners: Claire Smart, Rudi Ramirez, Marité Olmstead.

WINONA, Minn. — Each year students at Winona schools submit essays that reflect on the values, ideals and principles that mean the most to them in the annual Laws of Life essay contest, organized by Saint Mary’s University and sponsored by Winona-area businesses and organizations.

Winners of individual categories — announced April 20 — receive cash and or varying-level renewable scholarships to Saint Mary’s.

The Laws of Life Essay Contest was founded in 1987 by Sir John Templeton of the John Templeton Foundation. This foundation is committed to advancing a broad spectrum of activities, including studies, award programs and publications that promote the character development of young people in secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

In 1996, William Schuler approached Saint Mary’s University to begin this contest at Winona Senior High and Cotter High School, with Hope Lutheran joining in 2008. This event is made possible with his help, and the help of many other generous supporters — including Merchants Bank, William and Barbara Schuler, Junto Club, Dr. Thomas and Leone Mauszycki, Dr. Roger and Peggy Zehren, Fred Fletcher and Shelly Smith-Fletcher, Zehren Dental (Dr. Peter and Kimberly Zehren), Tony and Kathy Piscitiello, Dan and Sandy Hall, Mayor Jerry and Susan

Miller, Dr. Mark and Melissa Martin, Paul and Lori Ness, Neil and Ann Sawyer, the Winona Area Retired Educators Association, Fred and Marilyn Foss, Green Mill Restaurant and Bar and other anonymous donations.

This year’s Laws of Life essay contest winners, their schools and their awards are:

• Platinum — Sadie Doering, Hope Lutheran High School ($1,000 cash and a $3,000 scholarship).

• Gold — Molly Berlin-Burns, Winona Senior High School ($400 cash and a $2,000 scholarship).

• Silver — Jung Yeon Lim, Cotter High School; Emily Mastenbrook, WSHS; and Dakota Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran ($200 cash and a $1,000 scholarship).

• Blue ribbon award winners — Marité Olmstead, Claire Smart and Rudi Ramirez, WSHS; Jedidiah Cranor, Jordan Gahnz, Abbey Nelson and Cadence Klemp, Hope Lutheran; and Fei Shen, Hannah Kosel, Ding Hua Cui and Mari Min, Cotter ($100 cash prize).

• English class awards —Tracy Yim, Zhihua Chang, Jeffery Sia, McKenna Marg, Emilio Taiveaho, Shina Lor and Michaela Peplinski, Cotter; Mike Hang, WSHS; and Amanda Schwerzler, Nicole Haedtke and Shaina Laska, Hope Lutheran ($50 savings bond from Merchants National Bank).

Judges for this year’s event included: Maxine Aldinger, Dr. James Armstrong, Jerome Christenson, Dr. William Davis, Cynthya Porter, Dan Hall, Dr. Peggy Johnson, Louis Kluesener, Allison Babler, Kevin Mahoney and Grace Hudlik.

High School Challenge participants compete for consolation championship

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University High School Challenge preliminary season finished Saturday, Nov. 20, with Round 1C. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

The following schools competed in October and November and are moving onto the Consolation Championship on Dec. 4: Cotter Blue, Cotter White, West Salem III, Bangor Black, Logan White, Regis White, Onalaska and Regis White. Moving onto the Super Challenge in spring are: Logan Red, LaCrescent, Lewiston-Altura, Osseo-Fairchild, Regis Green, Winona Senior High, Holmen I and Holmen III.

During the first rounds of competition, teams that win their afternoon game return for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games return for the Super Challenge Championship in spring. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

The participating high schools receive $2,000 scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at (507) 457-1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

High School Challenge season continues Saturday

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge continues with Round 1C 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, in the World Room, located in the SMU Hendrickson Center. The 2010-11 season marks the 40th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

The following schools will participate: West Salem, Winona Senior High, Onalaska, Holmen, DeSoto, Blair-Taylor, Cotter (White team) and Riceville.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 4 for the Consolation Championship games with Logan (White team), Cotter, Bangor, Weston and Eau Claire Regis (White team). Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return Feb. 19 for the Super Challenge Championship with Logan (Red team), LaCrescent, Lewiston-Altura, Osseo-Fairchild and Eau Claire Regis (Green team).

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at ngerdes@smumn.edu or (507) 457-1761.

High School Challenge season continues Saturday

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge continues with Round 1B 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, in the World Room, located in the SMU Hendrickson Center. The 2010-11 season marks the 40th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

The following schools will participate: Lewiston-Altura, Bangor, Decorah, Weston, Aquinas, Osseo-Fairchild, Seneca, and Eau Claire Regis. Round 1C will be Nov. 20.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 4 for the Consolation Championship games with Logan (White team) and Cotter high schools. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return Feb. 19 for the Super Challenge Championship with Logan (Red team) and LaCrescent high schools.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at ngerdes@smumn.edu or Ext. 1761.

Laws of Life essay contest winners awarded April 28

Amol Parmar, Yuan Yang and Britta Nelson, the Platinum and Gold Award winners, are pictured separately.






Each year students at Winona schools submit essays that reflect on the values, ideals and principles that mean the most to them in the annual Laws of Life essay contest, organized by Saint Mary’s University and sponsored by Winona-area businesses and organizations.

Winners of individual categories — announced April 28 — receive cash and or varying-level renewable scholarships to Saint Mary’s.

The Laws of Life Essay Contest was founded in 1987 by Sir John Templeton of the John Templeton Foundation. This foundation is committed to advancing a broad spectrum of activities, including studies, award programs and publications that promote the character development of young people in secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

In 1996, William Schuler approached Saint Mary's University to begin this contest at Winona Senior High and Cotter High School, adding Hope Lutheran in 2009. This event is made possible with his help, and the help of many other generous supporters — including Merchants Bank, William and Barbara Schuler, Junto Club, American Legion Post No. 9, Dr. Thomas and Leone Mauszycki, Dr. Roger and Peggy Zehren, Fred Fletcher and Shelly Smith-Fletcher, Zehren Dental (Dr. Peter and Kimberly Zehren), Neil and Ann Sawyer, the Winona Area Retired Educators Association, Fred and Marilyn Foss, Severson Oil, Darrell and Angela Ehrlick, Tony and Kathy Piscitiello, Green Mill Restaurant & Bar, William Miller Scrap Iron & Metal Co., Dr. Mark and Melissa Martin, and Paul and Lori Ness.

This year’s winners are:
• Platinum — Amol Parmar, Cotter High School ($1,000 cash and a $3,000 SMU scholarship).
• Gold — Yuan Yang, Cotter; and Britta Nelson, Winona Senior High School ($400 cash and a $2,000 SMU scholarship)
• Silver — Katie Denzer, Cotter; Jose Gomez, Winona Senior High School; and Lacey Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran High School ($200 cash and a $1,000 SMU scholarship).
• Blue ribbon awards — Emilio Taiveaho, Qianhan Liu and Chang Yi Mu, Cotter; and Tony Vang, Yia Hang and Jenna Amundson, Winona Senior High ($100 cash prize).
• English class awards — Zi Hui Liu, Julie Yang, Ian Schultz, Courtney Brendel and Joana Beyer, Cotter; and Vang Lee Yang, Winona Senior High ($50 savings bond from Merchants National Bank).

Silver Award winners: Katie Denzer, left, and Lacey Ellinghuysen. Not pictured is Jose Gomez.

WSHS blue ribbon winners: Yia Hang, left, Jenna Amundson, center, and Tony Vang.


Cotter blue ribbon winners: Qianhan Liu, left; Chang Yi Mu, center; and Emilio Taiveaho.


English award winners (from left): back, Joana Beyer and Ian Schultz; front, Courtney Brendel, Julie Yang, Zi Hui Liu, and Vang Lee Yang.

Saint Mary's hosts reception for diocesan scholarship recipients

Diocesan scholarship recipients were recognized during a special luncheon Wednesday, Monday, April 26, at the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Students were joined for lunch by the Most Reverend John Quinn, Bishop of the Winona Diocese, left; Father James Steffes, Vicar General, third from left; and Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s, right. Scholarship recipients are, from left: Zachary Barry ’10, Fort Wayne, Ind., recipient of the Archbishop Binz Scholarship; Jenna Capelle ’12, Rochester, Minn., recipient of the Bishop Patrick R. Heffron Scholarship; Josiah Ryks ’10, Austin, Minn., recipient of the Monsignor Julius C. Haun Scholarship; Mitchell Bechtold ’10, St. Cloud, Minn., recipient of the Archbishop Binz Scholarship; and Paula Angst ’11, Winona, recipient of the Monsignor Julius C. Haun Scholarship.

SMU students participate in Mayo Scholars Program

WINONA, Minn. — Nine Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota students were chosen to participate in the educational opportunity of a lifetime through the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program. For the past five months, these students contributed to innovative medical research, associated with the world’s most prestigious health care system.

The Mayo Innovation Scholars Program, now in its fourth year, offers an opportunity for selected MBA students and undergraduate science and business students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property and coordinated through MPCC.

The program connects students from biology, chemistry, math, physics, pre-med and business and helps prepare them for careers in hospitals, medical research institutions and health care agencies.

Saint Mary’s program participants included business majors Boya Hu, Brittany Peterson, Agnieszka Kadej and Matt Wilgenbusch; computer science major Emily Friedl; and biological sciences majors Melissa Wolf, Caitlin O’Connor, Phil Thomas and Thomas Briese.

Local student awarded scholarship at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University seniors Mary Gleich of Hastings and Sarah Weir of Oswego, Ill., have been selected as this year’s recipients of $1,000 scholarships, made available due to the generosity of 1963 Saint Mary’s alumnus Dr. F. Lee Van Horn.

The scholarship is intended for graduating seniors who have demonstrated distinction in their studies and work in social activism and social sciences.

Dr. Van Horn established the scholarships in memory of K. Basil O’Leary and Brother Julius Winkler, with whom he studied and was inspired by as an undergraduate student.

Faculty involved in the selection process consider the students’ significant and sustained contributions to activities that promote social justice and help to address the needs of many.

Area students can win prizes, scholarships in Saint Mary’s business idea contest

WINONA, Minn. — The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at Saint Mary’s University is hosting a business idea contest for budding student entrepreneurs.

The contest is open to all high school and community and technical college students in the region.

A total of $1,000 in cash prizes, plus merchandise and scholarships will be awarded. Entries must be received by Monday, March 15.

Students can enter their ideas by going to www.smumn.edu/businessidea and completing a questionnaire about their business ideas. They can then submit their entries online or print the forms and mail them to Saint Mary’s University, 700 Terrace Heights #56, Winona, MN, 55987. High school and community and technical college entrants will compete in two separate divisions.

Several years ago, SMU alumnus Dr. John Kabara and his wife Betty, from Galena, Ill., made a generous gift to Saint Mary’s to establish the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. A lifelong entrepreneur, particularly in the area of medical research, Dr. Kabara’s goal is to incite a passion for entrepreneurial spirit in students and to recognize the importance of entrepreneurship in society.

Dr. Thomas Marpe, dean of the School of Business, said this is a great opportunity for students to use their imagination in thinking of an idea for a business. “We know that small businesses create most of the new jobs in this country every year. If we hope to maintain the standard of living we enjoy today and have meaningful employment, entrepreneurship is necessary. We hope this competition inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs.”

Biology students receive Tribeta research grants

Five Saint Mary’s University biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships including, from left: Brianna Braun, Angela Lager, John Fox, Ashley Loos and Hilary Framke.

WINONA, Minn. — Biology students at Saint Mary’s University were awarded Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation scholarships. Each student submitted a proposal for his or her senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students, their projects and their research advisors are:


• Hilary Framke, “Physiological responses to crude extract of Noturus gyrinus pectoral spine toxin,” Dr. Randy Krainock, advisor;

• Ashley Loos, “The response of Micropterus salmides to venom produced by Noturus gyrinus,” Dr. Krainock, advisor;

• John Fox, “The effects of tissue isolation from the fins of Noturus gyrinus on Leponis gibbosus and Mus musculus,” Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor;

• Brianna Braun, “Determining the paternity of Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuaria) in the bluffs around Winona,” Dr. Phil Cochran and Dr. Debra Martin, advisors;

• Angela Lager, “Genetic variation between and within local populations of timber rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus,” Dr. Martin and Dr. Cochran, advisors.


Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta advisor.

Area high schools advance in SMU High School Challenge

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University High School Challenge preliminary season finished Saturday, Nov. 21, with Round 1C. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing area schools in an educational forum. Participating schools come from Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and Northeast Iowa.

The following schools competed in October and November and are moving on to the Consolation Championship on Dec. 5: Bangor’s red team, Holmen’s white team, Blair-Taylor, Youth Initiative I, Aquinas, Cotter’s white team, DeSoto, and Decorah’s red team. Moving on to the Super Challenge Feb. 13 are: Cotter’s blue team, Riceville (Iowa), Decorah’s blue team, Logan’s red team, Lewiston-Altura, Regis’ green team, Holmen’s maroon team and West Salem’s black team. Other competing teams were: La Crosse Central, Bangor’s black team, North Crawford, West Salem’s orange team, Winona Senior High, Logan’s white team, Youth Initiative II, Weston, Regis’ white team, Alma Center Lincoln, Caledonia, La Crescent, Seneca, Onalaska and Osseo-Fairchild.

During the first rounds of competition, teams that win their afternoon game return for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games return for the Super Challenge Championship. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. All members of the school’s senior class with a B or above average are eligible for these scholarships.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at (507) 457-1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s University announces Catholic high school scholarship

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has established the Diocese of Winona Catholic High School Scholarship. Beginning this year, each graduate of Cotter High School, Lourdes High School, Loyola High School and Pacelli High School is eligible to receive a $2,000 scholarship to attend SMU.

The scholarship guidelines are:

· The student must attend as a full-time undergraduate on the Saint Mary’s Winona campus.

· The scholarship is renewable for an additional three consecutive years, provided the student remains in good academic and disciplinary status (bringing the total amount awarded over four years to $8,000).

· The scholarship may be used to study at an SMU internship or study abroad site.

· The scholarship may be combined with other SMU merit and need-based grants and scholarships, as well as with governmental grants.

For more information, contact Tony Piscitiello at 1-800-635-5987, Ext. 1700 or tpisciti@smumn.edu.

Papenfusses donate $50,000 to endowed SMU scholarship for students in need

Jerry and Pat Papenfuss met with Brother William Mann on campus

WINONA, Minn. — Pat and Jerry Papenfuss, owners of the Result Radio Group, have donated $50,000 to Saint Mary’s University for an endowed scholarship, in their name, designated for students with financial need. The scholarship was awarded for the first time this fall, to a Winona-area student. Jerry Papenfuss is a 1962 graduate of Saint Mary’s.

“We’ve both been very blessed with our college experiences, and we recognize the importance of a good education,” said Jerry Papenfuss. “Saint Mary’s instills the knowledge students need to be competitive in the evolving business world, and we especially appreciate the Lasallian, values-based education the university provides.”

“In this challenging economic climate, as more and more students are finding it difficult to pay for college, scholarship assistance like this is a blessing,” said Saint Mary’s President Brother William Mann. “Donations like these will make a difference in the lives of many future students.”

About 90 percent of all SMU undergraduates receive financial aid of some kind. In 2009-10, SMU will provide over $12 million in financial aid, including scholarships, to students.

For more information, contact Joe Sweeney at jsweeney@smumn.edu or (507) 457-1495.

MCA receives grant to fund Summer Dance and Theatre Camp Scholarships for Youth

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts announces available youth scholarships for summer 2009 dance and theatre day camps, made possible through a grant from the Winona Fine Arts Commission.

Scholarships are available for the following day camps:

Dance Day Camp I - Dance Me a Story
Ballet, creative movement, performance in a final showcase
June 22 - 26, 9 – 11:30 a.m., for ages 5 – 8. Tuition: $100

Dance Day Camp II - Dance the Day Away
• Ballet, jazz, modern, choreography, theory courses, performance in a final showcase
• June 22 - 26, 1 – 4:30 p.m., for ages 8 – 12. Tuition: $150

Theatre Day Camp I – Welcome to Theatre
• Theatre games, acting, movement, performance in a final showcase
• July 27 – 31, 9 – 11:30 a.m. for children ages 7 – 10. Tuition: $100

Theatre Day Camp II – Explore Theatre
• Theatre games, acting, musical theatre, behind-the-scenes, performance in a final showcase
• July 27 – 30, 1 – 4:30 p.m. and July 31, 9 – 11:30 a.m. for youth ages 10 – 13. Tuition: $150

"MCA is grateful to the Winona Fine Arts Commission and the City of Winona for helping us carry out our mission of offering the performing arts to area youth, regardless of their economic circumstances," said Christine Martin, managing director of MCA.

Parents or legal guardians of students wishing to apply for the scholarships should complete a scholarship form in addition to the camp registration form. Scholarship application deadlines are June 15 for the dance day camps and July 20 for the theatre day camps. Scholarship forms can be obtained from the MCA office in the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th Street, Winona, or by calling (507) 453-5500.

MCA dance and theatre day camps are held at the Valéncia Arts Center. Registration for summer programming is currently being accepted at the Valéncia Arts Center or by mail to: 1164 West 10th Street, Winona, MN 55987.

For more information and registration materials, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu, or call (507) 453-5500.

Laws of Life essay contest winners awarded April 22

The blue ribbon award winners from Cotter High School are Sean O’Reilly, Ye Jin Kang, Richard Han and Michaela Zeller.

The blue ribbon award winners from Winona Senior High School are Stefani Schmidt and Ryan Residence.

The blue ribbon award winners from Hope Lutheran are: Sarah Degallier and Anna Rose Beilfuss.

Silver winners are: Ji Won Lee, Cotter; Ethan Kastello, WSHS; and Shaina Laska, Hope Lutheran.

Gold winner, Da Som Ahn, Cotter

Platinum winner, Katie Harbinson, Cotter

The English class award winners from the Laws of Life Essay Contest are, Lacey Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran, front right; and, from left: Mackenzie Brosnahan, Taehwan Kim, Yi Chen, and Jeff Severson, Cotter.

WINONA, Minn. — Each year students at Winona schools submit essays that reflect on the values, ideals and principles that mean the most to them in the annual Laws of Life essay contest, organized by Saint Mary’s University and sponsored by Winona-area businesses and organizations.

Winners of individual categories — announced April 22 — receive cash and or varying-level renewable scholarships to Saint Mary's.

The Laws of Life Essay Contest was founded in 1987 by Sir John Templeton of the John Templeton Foundation. This foundation is committed to advancing a broad spectrum of activities, including studies, award programs and publications that promote the character development of young people in secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

In 1996, William Schuler approached Saint Mary's University to begin this contest at Winona Senior High and Cotter High School. This event is made possible with his help, and the help of many other generous supporters — including Merchants Bank, William and Barbara Schuler, Junto Club, American Legion Post No. 9, Dr. Thomas and Leone Mauszycki, Dr. Roger and Peggy Zehren, Fred Fletcher and Shelly Smith-Fletcher, Zehren Dental (Dr. Peter and Kimberly Zehren), Neil and Ann Sawyer, the Winona Area Retired Educators Association and Fred and Marilyn Foss.

This year's Laws of Life essay contest winners, their schools and their awards are:

• Platinum — Katie Harbinson, Cotter High School ($1,000 cash and a $3,000 scholarship).
• Gold — Da Som Ahn, Cotter ($400 cash and a $2,000 scholarship).
• Silver — Ji Won Lee, Cotter; Ethan Kastello, Winona Senior High School; and Shaina Laska, Hope Lutheran High School ($200 cash and a $1,000 scholarship).
• Blue ribbon awards — Ryan Residence and Stefani Schmidt, WSHS; Sarah Degallier and Anna Rose Beilfuss, Hope Lutheran; and Richard Han, Ye Jin Kang, Sean O’Reilly and Michaela Zeller, Cotter ($100 cash prize).
• English class awards — Mackenzie Brosnahan, Taehwan Kim, Yi Chen and Jeff Severson, Cotter ; and Lacey Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran ($50 savings bond from Merchants National Bank).

Judges for this year’s event included: Maxine Aldinger, James Armstrong, Jerome Christenson, Dr. William Davis, Christy DeRuyter, Dan Hall, Elise Johnson, Kristina Anderson, Peggy Johnson, Lindsey Lehmkuhl and Patrick Marek.