Marilyn and Jared Bauch were honored on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, during the North Tama Dollars for Scholars board meeting at the Traer Public Library for receiving the inaugural Dr. Irving Fradkin Community Impact Award, a national award. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TRAER – “What an exciting call I got last month from Scholarship America, the national parent group of Dollars for Scholars!” exclaimed Marilyn Bauch, vice president of North Tama Dollars for Scholars (NTDFS), earlier this year. The phone call informed Bauch NTDFS had been chosen to receive the inaugural Dr. Irving Fradkin Community Impact Award, a national award given for making a difference in the community. North Tama Schools was selected largely due to the NTDFS scholarships recognizing and emphasizing skills and trades in addition to four-year degree programs.

In the November issue of InTouch, Scholarship America states, “Since its establishment in 2019, NTDFS has shown dedication and tireless efforts to help break down financial barriers and empower students to achieve their dreams. … Nearly half of the scholarships are dedicated specifically for students pursuing certifications ensuring that students on all education and career pathways are supported by their community.”

Marilyn and her husband Jared Bauch spearheaded NTDFS’s founding in 2019. Using money gifted by her late father, Robert Plattenberger, Marilyn and Jared funded the initial investment of $100,000. Marilyn stated her father would have loved a college education, but was a child of the Depression. With his lifelong love of learning, Marilyn’s gift honors her father’s commitment to learning by assisting others in achieving their educational goals.

“He saved it and built this money over so long, I couldn’t spend it, so it will go to educating the youth of North Tama,” Marilyn explained.

Jared noted the initial $100,000 investment has grown an endowment that will allow this important support of North Tama students to continue well into the future.

In the six years since it started, NTDFS has awarded $197,500 to 110 North Tama students who continue their post high school educations at Iowa schools. The scholarships of $1,000 are renewable and are awarded to any qualifying North Tama student.

Jared and Marilyn were scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on Nov. 12, 2025, as part of the second annual Irving Innovation Awards, but the event was cancelled due to airport safety concerns stemming from the recent government shutdown. They were honored at the November NTDFS board meeting.

“This is a COMMUNITY AWARD! You all made it happen from the generous support of volunteers, businesses, reunion classes, North Tama staff members, individuals and the NTDFS board. Not a single corporation nor celebrity helped with this. It was all local connections who made this happen,” Marilyn said as part of her and Jared’s acceptance of the award.