Students at Iola-Scandinavia High School collect more than $286,000 in scholarships this year, rewarding academic achievement, leadership, community service, and extracurricular involvement as they prepare for college and careers.
The awards, announced in May 2026, come from local organizations, memorials, businesses, civic groups, and state programs. They support everything from general education to specialized fields such as healthcare, music, agriculture, and technical studies in central Wisconsin.
Caleb Betker stands out among the recipients, earning four scholarships: the American Legion Sheveland Taylor Post 14 award, the Brian Tucker Memorial Scholarship, the Elizabeth Algiers-Manley RN, BSN, MA, and Dr. Jack Manley MD Healthcare Scholarship, and the Iola Norsemen Snowmobile Club Scholarship.
Avah Weinreis also claims multiple honors, including the Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Operation Round Up Scholarship, DECA Scholarship, Elizabeth Swenson Scholarship, 2026 Hometown Heroes Scholarship, Iola Lions Club Scholarship, Krause Foundation Scholarship, and Waupaca County Association for Home and Community Education Scholarship.
Margaret Williams receives the DAR Good Citizen Award, DECA Scholarship, Farmers State Bank Scholarship, Glacier Wood Golf Club Scholarship, Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, Krause Foundation Scholarship, Premier Community Bank Scholarship, Tomorrow Valley Ag Scholarship, and Wisconsin Technical Excellence Scholarship.
Other multiple-award winners include Ava Printz, Olivia Thiel, Delilah Kulinski, Damien Aguirre, Abigail Bergan, Paige Timdal, Charles Tappa, and Benjamin Beck. Local groups drive much of the support.
The Iola Lions Club, Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Sheveland Taylor Post 14, and Krause Foundation provide several awards.
Memorial scholarships honor community members such as Brian Tucker, Dale and Arvada Rasmussen, and Rick Discher.
Statewide programs add to the total, including the Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship to Charles Tappa and the Wisconsin Technical Excellence Scholarship to Williams.
Higher education institutions contribute directly through awards like the Lawrence University Dean’s Scholarship to Maleah Lewis, the UW-Madison Christensen Music Education Scholarship to Aguirre, and multiple Martin Luther College scholarships to Beck.
These scholarships reflect the strong tradition of community investment in Iola-Scandinavia, a small Waupaca County district where residents, businesses, and organizations help reduce the financial burden of higher education. Students use the funds for tuition, books, and living expenses at universities, technical colleges, and specialized programs across Wisconsin and beyond.
The recognition highlights not only strong academic performers but also students active in DECA, music, theater, athletics, agriculture and volunteer service. As these graduates move forward, the combined support of more than $286,000 strengthens their ability to pursue ambitions while remaining connected to the values of their hometown.
