Cedar Falls Schools Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Cedar Falls Schools Foundation

2026 Scholarship Application — Now Open
The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation’s 2026 scholarship application is available online. The deadline to submit is March 15. Students only need to fill out one application to be considered for any of the Foundation’s scholarship awards. The application link will be posted on this page by January 15. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the Honors Convocation in May; awards are paid directly to the recipient’s college financial aid office in July.

About the Foundation and Scholarship Funds
The Foundation administers many scholarship endowments created through the generosity of alumni, staff, community members, businesses and local organizations. If you’re interested in establishing a scholarship fund, the current minimum endowment required is $50,000. For more information contact Monica Boyer, Executive Director, at (319) 268-7007 or monica.boyer@cfschools.org.

Available Scholarships (summaries)

Bill Close and Ron Streed smARTstart Scholarship
Bill Close and Ron Streed taught art at Peet Junior High and were close friends. Both were known for engaging, hands-on art instruction that helped students take pride in their work. With support from students, staff and the community they created 23 large outdoor sculptures, later chronicled in Bill’s pictorial book BIG.

Cedar Falls Schools Foundation Scholarship
This award is reserved for exceptional students who don’t meet the specific criteria of other named scholarships. The Foundation’s Board of Directors selects the recipient.

Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Scholarship
Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 to promote community service. Since 1980 the Rough Risers Kiwanis Club of Cedar Falls has focused on serving children and youth in Cedar Falls and Waterloo. This scholarship, originally established in memory of John Scott (a Kiwanian and longtime employee of Cedar Falls Community Schools), continues to be supported by the Rough Risers club.

Dan and Bea Brown Memorial Scholarship
Established by Bea’s sister, Dolores Horn, in memory of Dan and Bea Brown. Bea grew up in Cedar Falls and, before passing in 2014, worked more than 40 years as secretary to the president at Rath Packing. Dan, who died in 2008, served as a Marine in World War II and later worked for John Deere. Both had a deep interest in education, youth and community.

Do Better. Be Better. Scholarship
Named for Jamie Smith, a Cedar Falls High School PE teacher who suffered a stroke in 2013. “Do Better. Be Better.” was her guiding motto during recovery.

Frank and Dorothy Horn Memorial Scholarship
Created by Frank and Dorothy Horn, with support from their daughter Frankee and son-in-law Jim Oleson, to assist students pursuing careers in education. The Horns dedicated 28 years to the Cedar Falls Community School District. Dorothy taught at Cedar Heights (starting as a substitute, later a reading teacher, and finishing as a 2nd grade teacher). Frank was Peet Junior High’s first principal, served as the District Business Manager, and later taught 7th grade social studies at Peet.

Janelle Wilks Memorial Scholarship
Janelle Wilks moved to Cedar Falls to attend the University of Northern Iowa, graduating summa cum laude with a Political Science degree and later earning a bachelor’s degree in education. An entrepreneur, Janelle owned Main Street Sweets, Nelly’s Dogs, and the Cedar Falls Hurts Donut. She was active with Fresh Wind Ministries, volunteered throughout the Cedar Valley, and was a devoted mother to daughters Greenley and Gracyn, who attended Cedar Falls schools from kindergarten.

John Tamisiea Memorial Scholarship
John Tamisiea, born and raised in Cedar Falls, was an honors student and multi-sport athlete at CFHS (football, baseball, basketball). He graduated from the University of Iowa with highest distinction in accounting, then earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and built a distinguished legal career as a partner in a Chicago law firm. John treasured his family—his wife Holly (33 years) and their children Jack, Grace and Cooper—and was active in church and school volunteer work. He was known for his humor and for keeping a close-knit group of seven former CFHS football teammates bonded; for three decades he and Holly hosted an annual Cubs game weekend for that group.

Kathy Bunger Memorial Scholarship
Kathy Bunger, who passed in 2013, offered strong support to cancer patients and worked to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and education, drawing on her own experience. Her family established this scholarship to honor her belief in giving back as part of true success.

Kristine Martinson & Family Scholarship
Kristine Martinson lived in the Cedar Valley her whole life. She married her high school sweetheart, David, in 1990 and worked as a nurse until 1995. Their four children—Jonathan, Andrea, Daniel and Annaliese—attended Cedar Falls Community Schools.

Lauterbach Family Scholarship
Funded through the estate gift of Kenneth and Maureen Lauterbach. The Lauterbachs were longtime Cedar Falls residents, active in the community and members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Maureen had a strong desire for a college education but was unable to complete it, and this scholarship honors that aspiration.

Legacy of Learning Scholarship
Created by the Class of 1963 with additional contributions from the classes of 1954, 1959, 1980, 1990 and 2000. This scholarship is awarded on a three-year cycle.

Robert and Hazel Messer Scholarship
Bob Messer was a committed leader in Cedar Falls schools, serving as principal of Peet Junior High and leading with integrity and dedication to students and staff. Hazel Messer was a longtime reading teacher in Waterloo schools. After Bob’s passing in 2014, Hazel established this scholarship to honor their careers in education.

Ronald E. Juhl CAPS Scholarship
Established by Ronald Juhl, a 1959 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, in appreciation of the teachers who influenced his life.

Rick VerHeul Memorial Scholarship
Created by Rick’s brother, Jeff VerHeul, in memory of Rick (CFHS Class of 1975). Rick was a first-team all-state swimmer and football player in high school and also participated in band.

Scott Sterrett Memorial Scholarship
Scott Sterrett, a 1987 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, served as a reserve officer with the Cedar Falls Police Department and was an avid distance runner—completing 23 marathons, including the Boston Marathon twice and multiple appearances in Chicago and Dallas. A member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Scott died in 2018 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. An annual race held in his memory now helps fund this scholarship.

Questions?
For more information about any scholarship, the application process, or how to establish a fund, contact Monica Boyer, Executive Director, at (319) 268-7007 or monica.boyer@cfschools.org.