North Tama Class of 2026 Dollars for Scholars awardees pictured Thursday, May 6, in Traer. Back row from left: Rebecca Visser, Ava Smith, Gabrella Seda, Kensington Pick, Kayler Morris, Maxon Monat, Cayleigh Heller, Benjamin Boldy, Kruiz Ewoldt, Drayke Dvorak, and Ty Guthrie. Front row from left: Clayton Williams, Adisyn Fuller, Molly Sell, Lillea Cluts, Brooke Bradley, Lila Laws, Addison Hochstetler, Ean Bradley, and Alana Hansen. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

TRAER – On Wednesday, May 6, North Tama County High School hosted the annual Senior Awards Night during which more than $100,000 in scholarships were announced.

The ceremony was held in the gymnasium and began with a public reception at 6 p.m. Punch and appetizers were served and for an hour there was busy conversation among students, friends, donors, family and the public. The program started at 7 p.m. with presentations of various honor awards followed by scholarships.

Thirty-two scholarships ranging from $300 to $4,000 were provided by individuals, organizations and family memorials totaling about $46,000. These community scholarships have been in place going back many years.

The North Tama Dollars for Scholars (NTDFS) presentations were the last half of the evening. The NTDFS scholarship first year is $1,000; renewable the second year for $1000. This year only, the $1,000 was enhanced by a $500 Bonus from NTDFS investment gains in 2025 and by another $500 for each of the 20 awardees. Dr. John (’72) and Lori Dedic donated $10,000 this past March, directing it to go to each awardee this year. A total of $60,000 was awarded to the 2026 graduates by NTDFS.

North Tama Dollars for Scholars is committed to supporting as many North Tama graduates as possible to better prepare for the work of their choice with as little debt as possible. They also want to build a highly trained workforce for this fine state of Iowa. In that light, scholarships are available to students with a GPA ranging from 2.0 to 4.0. Thirteen students received scholarships to attend community colleges or trades programs. Eleven students received NTDFS scholarships to attend four-year programs. Many of our graduates are going into various branches of medical work or construction/electrical trades.

Liam Stoakes shares his talent providing music during the reception for North Tama Senior Awards Night.

A remarkable 85% of the North Tama 2026 class is going on to postsecondary education.

Former NTDFS President Jared Bauch stated that more than 70% of the scholarships were funded by memorial gifts in remembrance of family and friends. “We receive amazing support from alumni classes, the North Tama community, and the North Tama faculty, staff and administrators,” he said. From May 2025 to May 2026, North Tama Dollars for Scholars received 248 gifts ranging from $25 to $15,000.

Congratulations to these graduates and to the faculty, administrators and parents who encouraged them and to the North Tama community which supports all of them. North Tama Dollars President Teresa O’Meara commented, “What an evening of celebrating our students and the community’s support through these many scholarships! It’s so exciting to see the various areas the students are choosing to pursue.”

Thanks to the work of Levi LeRue, the ceremony was livestreamed. The entire program can be viewed on North Tama YouTube. Neil and Merna Donald, former North Tama teachers and regular NTDFS donors, did just that, with Merna writing in an email, “It was impressive to realize the number of students who were honored and the amount of funding that was awarded. The renewal is an incentive to keep their grades up and continue their education.”

Lee Valenta, North Tama Class of 1974, also watched the livestream. He emailed, “I was so impressed by the number of scholarships that were awarded. It warms my heart to see how committed everyone is to the future success of these young adults.”

A poster showing the 248 donors to North Tama Dollars for Scholars from May 2025-May 2026.

North Tama Dollars for Scholars 2026 awards

*Note: All students also received a scholarship from Dr. John and Lori Dedic, Class of 1972.

-Benjamin Boldy: Cizek Manufacturing & Distributing of Clutier

-Brooke Bradley: The Valenta Family Charitable Giving Fund at Chicago Community Foundation

-Ean Bradley: Don Shroyer; David Munger

Don and Barb Shroyer gave a NTDFS scholarship in memory of his mother, Jan Corbin.

-Lillea Cluts: Cathy Sevcik Rush; Class of 1970

-Drayke Dvorak: Lori Ewoldt; Michael and Janis Brezina

-Kruiz Ewoldt: Josh Ewoldt; Bill Bonewitz

-Adisyn Fuller: Tom and Linda McDermott; Sue Ewoldt; Judy Masen

-Ty Guthrie: Clutier Community Church

Teresa Keefe O’Meara, NTDFS President, thanks ALL the friends, parents, teachers, “the village” who have taught, guided and encouraged the class of 2026 to become the amazing young people that they are today.

-Alana Hansen: Gary Dinsdale-Class of 1962

-Caleigh Heller: Neil and Merna Donald

-Addison Hochstetler: Bob and Fran Kaufman

-Lila Laws: Anonymous-In Memory of Dotti Keefer and Kathleen Keefer

-Max Monat: Kubik-Finch American Legion Post #142; Class of 1965; Class of 1985

Josh Ewoldt presents a Dollars for Scholars scholarship to his daughter, Kruiz.

-Kayler Morris: Class of 1967; Linda Bohnstengel Kuzmerz

-Kensington Pick: Class of 1969; Sidney and Donna Manful-Class of 1966

-Gabriella Seda: Harry Harrison; Wayne Janssen

-Molly Sell: North Tama Staff Members; American Alternative Energy-Pete Holden

-Ava Smith: Ripley United Church of Christ

-Rebecca Visser: Arlene Schmidt; Thomas Stull-Class of 1965; Steve Podhajsky-Class of 1968 and his wife, Joanne; North Tama School Administrators-John Cain, Taylor Howard, Jordan Brown

-Clayton Williams: John and Rozella Stull; Class of 1975

Community scholarship 2026 awards

-KWWL Best of the Class: Josh Lasley

-Iowa Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award: Josh Lasley

-Bernie Saggau Award: Max Monat

-Lisa Brinkmeyer Award: Addison Hochstetler

-Sportsmanship Award: Addison Hochstetler

-American Citizenship Award: Josh Lasley

-Mesquaki Scholarship: Lillea Cluts

-Terry Shay Memorial Scholarship: Josh Lasley

-Third District American Legion Scholarship: Lillea Cluts, Molly Sell

-Betty Clauer Ketter Memorial Scholarship: Kensington Pick

-Darrell and Maxine Karr Family Scholarship: Josh Lasley

-Dr. Rudy R. Kubik Scholarship: Adisyn Fuller, Kensington Pick

-Scholastic Excellence Award – Josh Lasley, Kensington Pick

-Distinguished Athlete Award: Max Monat, Addison Hochstetler

-Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence: Josh Lasley, Lillea Cluts

-Brent & Ingrid Coulter Family Trades Scholarship: Stone Tarrance, Ben Boldy

-P.E.O Chapter EC Scholarship: Addison Hochstetler, Kensington Pick

-Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship: Josh Lasley

-William & Mayme Podhajsky Memorial Scholarship: Ean Bradley, Kensington Pick, Lillea Cluts

-Bob Clark Memorial Scholarship: Ean Bradley

-Keely Lyons Memorial Scholarship: Molly Sell, Kensington Pick

-Traer Lions Club Scholarship: Ean Bradley, Ava Smith

-North Tama FFA Scholarship: Drayke Dvorak

-Sunrise Hill Care & Rehab Center Scholarship: Ean Bradley

-Max Morrison Memorial Scholarship: Molly Sell

-James H. & Donna L. Young Scholarship: Ean Bradley, Lillea Cluts

-Tonya Rickert Memorial Scholarship: Gabriella Seda

-Darlys Hulme Finance & Banking Scholarship: Gabriella Seda

-Linda Hosek Memorial Scholarship: Kensington Pick

-Verena Vorba Memorial Scholarship: Cayleigh Heller

-Red Cross Scholarship: Addison Hochstetler

-Mary Novak Scholarship: Kensington Pick

-4-H Awards: Ty Guthrie

-Allen Pearl McKinley Future Tradesman Scholarship: Stone Tarrance, Brooke Bradley, Max Monat, Drayke Dvorak

-Hometown Foods Scholarship: Adisyn Fuller, Lila Laws

-Jean & Burdell Staker Scholarship: Lillea Cluts

Class of 2026 future plans

Marie Beyer: Finish high school in Germany; Abi Bag School Certificate

Ben Boldy: Marshalltown Community College; utility technician

Brooke Bradley: La’ James International College; esthetician

Ean Bradley: Hawkeye Community College; BSN registered nurse

James Brandhorst: Working

Lille Cluts: Hawkeye Community College, then four-year college; biology

Bryce Dostal: Western Welding Academy

Drayke Dvorak: Upper Iowa University; conservation management

Kruiz Ewoldt: Wartburg College; pre-veterinary

Zavier Fields: Construction

Adisyn Fuller: University of Northern Iowa/Allen; sonography

Ty Guthrie: Hawkeye Community College; diesel technology

Alana Hansen: Starting at Hawkeye Community College; neuropsychology

Cayleigh Heller: Hawkeye Community College; elementary education

Addison Hochstetler: Mount Mercy University; biochemistry

Joshua Lasley: Brigham Young University; mechanical engineering

Lila Laws: University of Northern Iowa; communications

Max Monat: Midwest Lineman College; electrical lineman

Kayler Morris: Central College; sports management

Kensington Pick: University of Iowa; bachelor of science

Gabriella Seda: University of Northern Iowa; accounting

Molly Sell: University of Northern Iowa; pre-veterinary

Ava Smith: Hawkeye Community College; business administration

Brody Stoneking: Employed by Winger Companies, Cedar Rapids

Stone Tarrance: Hawkeye Community College for diesel technology and working at Wendt Tire

Rebecca Visser: La’ James International College; nail technology

Clayton Williams: Working at Rubline and YouTube

Devin Wolfe: Hawkeye Community College; diesel tech and trucking

Cathy Sevcik Rush, class of 1970, presents a scholarship to Lillea Cluts.

Lori Ewoldt presented a NTDFS scholarship to Drayke Dvorak.

Phyllis McKee, NTDFS board member, presents a scholarship to Rebecca Visser.

Mark Keefer, regular donor to North Tama Dollars for Scholars, presents a scholarship to Lila Laws. Her Grandpa sought out Mark later to express his gratitude.

Wayne Jansen and Harry Harrison with their scholarship awardee, Gabby Seda.

Tom McDermott, former North Tama Superintendent, and regular NTDFS donor, presents a scholarship to Adisyn Fuller.

Alana Hansen was awarded a Dollars for Scholars scholarship presented by Rex McKee, NTDFS Volunteer.

Sue Morrison presented the Max Morrison scholarship to Molly Sell.