CFHS Alumni Hold Fundraiser Concert to Support Cedar Falls Community Schools Music Programs
July 2024
Eleven Cedar Falls High School alumni from the Classes of 1977 and 1978 performed on June 29, over Sturgis Falls weekend, at the Oster Regent Theatre in Cedar Falls. Their band, CF Rock & Roll Revue, played hits from the seventies to celebrate alumni and their reunions. The event was free and open to the public.
The band volunteered their time and although admission was free, attendees were invited to make a donation to the Cedar Falls Schools Foundation (CFSF) to fund Music Excellence Grants. Excellence Grants are offered by the CFSF each year to any staff member who has an idea to expand learning experiences for students. Since band mates were thankful for their music education while attending Cedar Falls Schools, they elected for funds raised to support music-focused grants.
Prior to the event, the band secured over $10,000 in business sponsors and individual donations. Those dollars, combined with event-day fundraising, amounted to $13,632 total! Monica Boyer, CFSF Executive Director remarked, “Working with this group has been a joy! They took a chance on a fundraiser idea that turned out to be incredibly successful. It shows that philanthropy can be more than writing a check – it can be sharing your gifts and passions.”
Special thanks to:
- CF Rock and Roll Revue band members: Dani Duke, Richard Potter, Scott Kunkle, Dave Link, Mark Kittrell, Kevin Masters, Carl Smith, Corey Hansen, Laurie Landt, Lisa Mueller and Holly Postel
- Business Sponsors: Ag & Truck, Community Chevrolet of Cedar Falls, Jacobson Financial Services, West Music, B & K Lawn Care, Iron Workers, Magee Construction Company, Glass Tech and Lucky Me Mercantile
- Volunteers: Rona Duke, Leonard Landt, Jessica Zimmerman, Daryl Sanders, Denise Link, Carol Meggers, Andrea Sanders, Sue Kunkle, Jean Hansen, Tracy Potter, Colleen Masters, Lori Litterer, Connie DeHaan, Denise Brown, Nolan Meggers and Marty Postal
“Wow, what an amazing adventure! The audience was so ready to rock and stepped up even more with their donations at the gig. Supporting CF Schools student musicians is such a joy for our band and collaborating with Monica and team at CFSF made the whole process so easy and fun. Sending our thanks to all who attended and supported this groovy experiment!” concluded Corey Hansen, Creative Producer and Keyboardist.
Nero Memorial Grants Awarded During Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2024
The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week with three surprise visits to support new teachers pursuing additional education. Grants were made possible from the generous memorial donations made to the Nero Memorial Grant Fund.
John and Doris Nero dedicated their careers to education as teachers and guidance counselors. After John's passing in 2011, Doris established the fund to continue John’s passion for helping and encouraging new teachers, especially to pursue professional development. “The chance to remember these wonderful past educators, while supporting some of our newest educators is a win-win. We feel privileged to get to be a part of it,” stated Monica Boyer, Foundation Executive Director.
Three Nero Memorial Grants in the amount of $575 each have been awarded this year to:
- Avriel Ryan, 4th grade teacher at North Cedar Elementary, who is pursuing her Principalship M.A.E. at the University of Northern Iowa.
- Sarah Venem, 5th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, who is in the Curriculum Studies Master’s Program at Morningside University.
- Hannah Bustamante, science teacher at Cedar Falls High School, who is taking a course called, The History, Philosophy, and Nature of Science at the University of Northern Iowa.
Awarded annually, 21 Cedar Falls Community School District teachers have been supported through this fund so far.
Supporting Seniors with Scholarships
May 2024
On May 7, at the Cedar Falls High School Honors Convocation, our donors made a very special impact and investment to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of our 2024 scholarship recipients. The following 19 scholarships, amounting to $32,000 total, were awarded. Scholarships were from $1,000 each, unless otherwise noted.
Bill Close & Ron Streed smARTstart Scholarship: Ljiljana Anderson
Bill Ellinger Memorial Scholarship: William Pease
Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis Club Scholarship: Henry Wiering
Dan and Bea Brown Memorial Scholarship ($4,000): Amaiyah Korf
Do Better. Be Better. Scholarship: Maddie Gallagher
Elsa Roberts Memorial Scholarship: Evan Myers
Frank and Dorothy Horn Memorial Scholarship: Tate Bakula
Janelle Wilks Memorial Scholarship: Ava Davis
Kathy Bunger Memorial Scholarship: Sriya Kalala
Kristine Martinson and Family Scholarship: Abigail Dvorak
Lauterbach Memorial Scholarship ($4,000): Maddie Gallagher
Lauterbach Memorial Scholarship ($4,000): Ava Davis
Lauterbach Memorial Scholarship ($4,000): Abigail Dvorak
Rick VerHeul Memorial Scholarship ($2,000): Ethan Beneke
Robert and Hazel Messer Scholarship: Anna Berger
Ronald E. Juhl Memorial Scholarship: Luke DeGabriele
Sandy Remmert Memorial Scholarship: Amelia Bryant
Scott Sterrett Memorial Scholarship: Adalie Carlson
Todd Blanford Memorial Scholarship: Lily Myers
To read more about our scholarships, click here.
Best wishes Class of 2024!
Scott Sterrett Memorial Scholarship Fund Established
February 2024
At their February Board Meeting, Cedar Falls Schools Foundation board members and staff accepted a donation from Paul Rae and Alex O’Connell, Fast Track Racing co-owners and Steve, Teresa and Todd Sterrett to establish the Scott Sterrett Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Scott Sterrett was a 1987 graduate of Cedar Falls High School who had a passion for serving his community as a reserve officer with the Cedar Falls Police Department. He was an avid runner, participating in 23 marathons – the Boston Marathon twice, and the Chicago and Dallas Marathons multiple times and was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church. In 2018, Scott passed away after a fight with pancreatic cancer. A race is held annually in his memory, with proceeds now supporting this scholarship.
The first Scott Sterrett Memorial Scholarship will be awarded this May to a student pursuing a degree in the public safety field.
Click here to complete our scholarship application online.
Application for Senior Scholarships Now Available!
January 2024
The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation will be awarding over $30,000 in scholarships this year to Cedar Falls graduates. All CFHS seniors pursuing higher education next fall are encouraged to submit an online application.
By completing a single application, seniors will be matched to all eligible scholarships. Some scholarships support students with financial need. Others are merit-based, recognizing students’ academic, extra-curricular, and community-based achievements. Others are designed to support certain fields of study, demographics or specific institutions. Scholarships may be one-time awards or annually renewed.
Application deadline is March 17, 2024. Applications will be reviewed by a scholarship selection committee and will be awarded at the Honors Convocation Ceremony on May 7, 2024.
CFSF is privileged to manage scholarship funds made possible solely through the generosity of alumni, staff, community members, businesses and organizations. Click here to see a full listing of CFSF scholarships.
Over $38,000 Awarded in 2023-2024 Excellence Grants!
November 2023
The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation is pleased to announce the following Excellence Grants for the 2023-2024 School Year. Focusing on the areas of innovation, memorable experiences and wellness, these grants, amounting to $38,030, will expand opportunities for students and staff. Thank you alumni, staff, businesses and organizations, community members, and parents for making these grants possible!
2023-2024 Excellence Grants:
- Universal FIRST LEGO League Discover Implementation in the Preschool Classrooms, All Elementaries | $5,000
- Flexible Seating in Kindergarten, Aldrich Elementary | $2,000
- 1st Grade Student Organization and High School Engineers, Cedar Heights Elementary | $1,000
Grant made possible by Skogman Homes - Elevate and Engage with Vertical Thinking Spaces, Cedar Heights Elementary | $1,000
- Growing by Leaps and Bounds Socially and Emotionally, Cedar Heights Elementary | $1,500
- "Good" Morning STEM Bins, Hansen Elementary | $2,000
Grant made in memory of Shirley Connelly, former 3rd Grade Teacher at Hansen Elementary - Flexible Seating Options, Lincoln Elementary | $650
- CKLA Culminating Activities Funding, Lincoln Elementary | $2,000
- Lincoln Preschool Science Center, Lincoln Elementary| $650
Grant made in memory of Pat Lyman, former Lincoln Elementary volunteer - Read with Me: Growing Hearts and Minds, North Cedar Elementary | $373.30
- Bringing Learning to Life, North Cedar Elementary | $1,000
- Cubetto Coding in Preschool, Orchard Hill Elementary | $1,755.40
- Sensory Kits, Southdale Elementary | $1,000
- Sensory Corners, Southdale Elementary | $2,000
- Finch Robots for Coding, Holmes Jr. High | $1,946.75
- Holmes Optic Band Project, Holmes Jr. High | $3,997.25
- Optic Watch Band Class Set, Peet Jr. High | $4,941.80 Grant made in memory of Jim & Karen Bolger, Karen was a former P.E. Teacher at Peet Junior High
- Science Bowl/Quiz Bowl Buzzer System, High School | $529.95
- Tiger Pal Totes, High School | $686
- NASA Student Launch Initiative - CFHS Rocket Club, High School | $2,000
Grant made possible in part by the Class of 1970 - New Beginnings, New Music!, High School | not to exceed $2,000
Grant made possible by the Class of 1968
Click here to l earn more about CFSF Excellence Grants!
Welcome New Board Member!
October 2023
The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Board Members – Kathy Butler. Ms. Butler will fill a school district seat on the board. Ms. Butler is a Special Education Paraeducator at Lincoln Elementary and has a child currently attending Cedar Falls Schools.
Welcome New Board Members!
August 2023
The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board Members – Bonnie Wulfekuhle and Rochelle Kane. Ms. Wulfekuhle and Ms. Kane will fill community member seats on the board. Ms. Wulfekuhle worked as the Office Coordinator for the foundation for the last three years and is now beginning her career in nursing at UnityPoint Health. Ms. Kane is a Director for South Hills Senior Living. Both have children currently attending Cedar Falls Schools.