Scholarship Drive 2023

We did it! The Ripon Education Foundation's 2023 Scholarship Drive has come to a close, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. Thanks to your support, we exceeded our donor goal. This means we can continue our mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities for local students for years to come.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and support. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of our future leaders.

#RiponEducationFoundation #RiponScholarships #REFSupports #ThankYou

REF gratefully acknowledges receipt of gifts to fund the following awards this year:

Allan Mortenson Impact Scholarship

Alliance Laundry Systems awards for Ripon High School students

Shirley Hayes Memorial

William Crook Memorial

Thank you for supporting Ripon High School students as they pursue higher education and their future goals.

Meredith Wittler Anagnos is a former recipient of an REF managed scholarship. She graduated from Ripon High School in 2005 and attended Denison University where she majored in German.

Meredith says, “I am a stay at home parent and, during the summer, help lead a family week at the Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota.” She also is a part of the executive team for her local education foundation!

Thank you for the update, Meredith! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Chris Lyke is a former recipient of the William Crook Memorial Scholarship, an REF managed scholarship. He graduated from Ripon High School in 2017 and attended Dartmouth College.

Chris says, “I am now working in Austin, Texas, as a mechanical engineer at Enphase Energy designing batteries for use in residential solar energy systems. I am very grateful to the family of Bill Crook and the Ripon Education Foundation for supporting my college education and helping me on my path to earning a degree in engineering!”

Thank you for the update, Chris! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Marissa Davis is a former recipient of a REF Merit & Lottery scholarships. She graduated from Ripon High School in 2017 and attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where she majored in Biology.

Marissa says, “Receiving a Ripon Education Foundation scholarship was an incredible honor! With the help of the scholarship, I was able to attend the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, where I established a foundation of scientific knowledge and met incredible, lifelong friends! Today, I am in medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and I am one year away from being a doctor! 

Time flies... seems like yesterday I was personally fundraising for the Ripon Education Foundation scholarships. I have many people to thank for their support- including the Ripon community and the Ripon Education Foundation! Thank you to everyone who chooses to donate and help students pursue higher education!”

Thank you for the update, Marissa! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Jack Kinziger is a former REF Merit & Lottery Scholarship recipient. He graduated from Ripon High School in 2018 and attended UW-Madison where he majored in Psychology. Now he is taking a gap year working at Waunakee High School as a Special Ed Paraeducator. He will start a Masters of Science in Education in School Psychology at UW-Eau Claire in the fall.

Jack says, “The generous scholarship from the REF helped me limit tuition costs during my undergraduate degree so I could save money for future years of tuition as well as living expenses.”

Thank you for the update, Jack! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Courtney Disterhaft is a former REF Lottery Scholarship recipient. She graduated from Ripon High School in 2014 and attended Carroll University where she received a Bachelor in Sports Medicine and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Courtney says, “I specialize in pediatrics, aquatics, vestibular, and neurological physical therapy. I work at an amazing company -- Fox Valley Physical Therapy in Oshkosh, WI. I am also a certified clinical instructor that mentors many Physical Therapy students. My main passion is in Pediatric Rehabilitation. I love to work with children to meet their goals, no matter how hard those goals may be to achieve. I recently helped a Ripon High School student with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia walk independently with the use of a robotic exoskeleton.

I would like to thank everyone from the REF that helped me financially follow my passion. Obtaining a Doctorate is an expensive education route to go. I could not have done it without the help of REF and my guidance counselor who helped me obtain >$20,000/year worth of scholarships.”

Thank you for the update, Courtney! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Isaac Whitrock is a former REF Merit Scholarship recipient. He graduated from Ripon High School in 2022 and is attending UW-Oshkosh where he is majoring in Biomedical Science.

Isaac says, “My Ripon Education Foundation scholarship has allowed me to pursue my college education while also minimizing my college loans. By minimizing my college loans, I am able to partake in many unique opportunities while in school that I otherwise may not be able to afford. These opportunities include conferences, mission trips, and also study abroad programs. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to partake in these programs as they expand my knowledge and world view! With financial support from my scholarship, I am also looking to take on a chemistry minor which will improve my graduate program and job prospects after I graduate!”

Thank you for the update, Isaac! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Kevin O’Brien is a former REF Scholarship recipient. He graduated from Ripon High School in 2004 and attended UW-Madison where he majored in History. He is now the Director of Operations for a major sports website.

Kevin says, “It takes help to accomplish your goals, and I can't thank the REF enough for their support!”

Thank you for the update, Kevin! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!

Marissa Bunge is a former REF Merit Scholarship recipient. She graduated from Ripon High School in 2016 and attended UW-Whitewater where she majored in pre-medical biology with a chemistry minor. She is now attending Marquette University where she will be graduating in May with a Doctor of Dental Surgery.

Marissa says, “I will be returning to Hillside Dental in Ripon to pursue my dream job as a Dentist! After working on patients in Milwaukee for the past few years as well as volunteering at a free dental clinic in Appleton, I am so excited to return home to serve a community that I thoroughly enjoy being part of.

The Ripon Education Foundation scholarship helped me immensely with the financial burden of attending many additional years of schooling. It is generosity and thoughtfulness that makes Ripon and this Foundation so special to many young individuals. I am very grateful for the support this scholarship provided me and look forward to giving back to the Ripon community as well!”

Thank you for the update, Marissa! Help support current Ripon High School students as they pursue their future goals by donating to our Scholarship Drive today!