"The St. Marys Community Foundation got started in 1974," Trustee Ed Noble explained. "I think we started with something like $7,000. Now we have about two and a half million dollars."

Noble said the foundation does not have one wealthy benefactor, but instead draws its resources from a variety of community minded individuals, and through various estates.

"Since the begining the foundation has awarded $600,000 to $700,000 to charitable endeavors," Noble said.

Foundation members Larry Shelby, Mike Lynch, Alma Kuffner, Mary Anne Sheaks and Foundation Administrator Darwin Zeigler assisted Noble in distributing the grant scholarships and deferred-interest loans.

Most of the students were presented their loan checks at the Foundation's Annual Meeting Monday. In addition, the Foundation awarded grants totaling $19,900. The following grants were awarded:

NED E. & DORIS LAWLER SCHOLARSHIP
George William Ruane $3,000

AL & GLADYS HEINRICH SCHOLARSHIP
Timothy Hague $1,000

ROLAND & AGNES CLAUSING SCHOLARSHIP
Jill Oehrtman $1,000; Laura Klenke $1,000

HAL MILLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Bethany Couts $ 500

GENE E. & LAVERA RHOADES SCHOLARSHIP
Tia Gruber $ 500

DR. ELIZABETH KUFFNER SCHOLARSHIP
Ellen Hunter $1,000

MARGARET LIPP SCHOLARSHIP
Ellen Hunter $1,000; Amanda Kae Vining $1,000

MINSTER BANK SCHOLARSHIP
Andrew Overman $1,000

H. HOYT BROWN SCHOLARSHIP
Matt Riesen $ 500

EMIL & ONNOLEE STEVA SCHOLARSHIP
Benjamin Roode $1,000; Jessica Dysert $1,000

DR. DOUGLAS JOHNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Gabriel Knous $ 500

CORN BELT HYBRIDS SCHOLARSHIP
Jolene Clark $1,000; Tracy Sheaks $1,000

CORN BELT HYBRIDS BOOK SCHOLARSHIP
Jenelle Triplett $ 400

DESSIE COMUS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Erin Glaser $ 500

THOMAS HOWARD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Brandi Dicke $1,000; Amanda Teckman $1,000; George William Ruane $1,000

Educational loans were awarded as follows:

AGNES AND ROLAND CLAUSING FUND (Medical) ($3,000)
J. D. Keighly $1,500; Tim Smith $1,500

AGNES AND ROLAND CLAUSING FUND (Music) ($2,000)
Jessica Harris $2,000

LOIS AND ARTHUR MILLER FUND ($1,500)
Amanda Vining $1,500

EDITH SLABAUGH FUND ($4,000)
Amanda Winget $2,000; Rick Haines $2,000

BREWER-HARTMAN FUND ($2,000)
Bridget Clark $1,000; Mary Eaton $1,000

FRANK DENNINGS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND ($3,000)
Andy Dennings $1,000; Brenton Ahlers $1,000; Lincoln Fox $1,000

DR. BARTON FUND ($4,000)
Jeremy Harris $2,000; Jessica Brown $2,000

NORMA McCANN REIHER FUND ($250)
Aaron Seewer $250

LOAN REPAYMENT FUND ($22,000)
Sherri Lyn Brown $1000; Bethany Couts $1000; Kevin Doenges $1000; Troy Ellis $1000; Krista Glaser $1000; Keith Jacobs $1000; Jacob Kable $1000; Gabriel Knous $1000; Kristan Lennartz $1000; Jennifer Pardon $1000; Mark Scott $1000; Julie Stienecker $1000; Kellie Stienecker $1000; Kelly Swain $1000; William Thistlethwaite $1000; Rebecca Torsell $1000; Jillian Triplett $1000; Matthew Van Schoyck $1000; Kara Vossler $1000; Dayna Wolfe $1000; April Zimmerman $1000; William Zink, Jr. $1000

ROLAND & AGNES CLAUSING LOAN FUND ($40,000)
Benjamin Bergman $2,000; Angela Brown $2,000; Melissa Ann Brotherwood $2,000; Tia Gruber $2,000; Timothy Hague $2,000; William Kellermeyer, Jr. $2,000; Curtis Behr $1,000; Amanda Blackburn $1,000; Joseph Brautigaum $1,000; Lori Lyn Brown $1,000; Tara Chivington $1,000; Brian Christopher $1,000; Brandi Dicke $1,000; Neily Dingledine $1,000; Shawn Goodwin $1,000; Nicole Griffin $1,000; Alan Huber $1,000; Jessica Kable $1,000; Jennifer Knous $1,000; Kelly Lunz $1,000; Nichole Mallory $1,000; Dane Marsee $1,000; Nancy (Hudson) Mauter $1,000; Bridget Nuesmeyer $1,000; Jonathan "Andy" Rammel $1,000; Thomas Rammel $1,000; Matthew Riesen $1,000; Samantha Robinson $1,000; Kristi Sawmiller $1,000; Jodie Schultz $1,000; Wendee Schultz $1,000; Lisa Scott $1,000; Grant Shaner $1,000; Kelly Jo Sprague $1,000

In addition to the above, the Frank and Helen Herkenhoff Fund had $4,000 available in loans for New Bremen High School graduates, but there were no applicants. There was $4,000 in grants available for students attending Oral Roberts University and $4,000 for students attending Jerry Falwell University from the Roland and Agnes Clausing Fund, but again there were no applicants. The trustees welcome students who might qualify for these loans and grants to contact the Foundation office at 146 E. Spring St. in St. Marys.

The St. Marys Community Foundation awards low interest loans and grants annually to deserving students who want to further their education goals. The Foundation accepts donations from community members who want to contribute toward this worthwhile project.