Area students, teachers to be honored

OREGON -- The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation will hold a luncheon to honor the achievements of southern Wisconsin students and teachers on Saturday, April 14, at Oregon High School.

On March 1, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation announced the recipients of $1,000 Initiative Scholarships, Excellence Scholarships and Fellowships. The Herb Kohl Foundation Fellowship rewards teachers who have demonstrated superior ability to inspire love of learning in their students, have motivated others and have provided meritorious service both inside and outside the classroom.

The Herb Kohl Foundation Excellence Scholarship was established by Herb Kohl to provide scholarships to graduating Wisconsin high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding leadership, citizenship, community service, integrity and other special talents.

The Herb Kohl Initiative Scholarship was established to recognize students who have demonstrated a high level of motivation to achieve, have shown strong promise for achieving success in college and beyond, have overcome significant personal obstacles or adversity and have not yet received other academic based scholarships.

Sen. Kohl will make formal award presentations to the recipients at the luncheon. The $1,000 Excellence and Initiative Scholarship grants are issued to the postsecondary institution that each student will attend. Each teacher receives a $1,000 Fellowship and an additional $1,000 grant is awarded to the teacher's school for use in innovative educational projects. The Oregon event is the fourth of five regional award programs. The reception is scheduled to begin at noon Saturday, April 14, at Oregon High School, 456 N. Perry Parkway. The award program will commence at approximately 1 p.m.

Area recipients are:

Excellence Scholarship, CESA 2

* Kristen Hendrickson, Monroe, Monroe High School, Monroe;

* Lauren Wells, Brodhead, Evansville High School, Evansville;

Excellence Scholarship, CESA 3

* Kalee Crist, Darlington, Darlington High School, Darlington;

Initiative Scholarship, CESA 2

* Melissa Babler, Monticello, Monticello High School, Monticello;

Initiative Scholarship, CESA 3

*Tyrell Cushman, Blanchardville, Pecatonica High School, Blanchardville.