In Honor Of

Information about those who are being honored through scholarships.

Barbara Brown

Barbara J. Brown - Golden Bulldog Award

Barbara Brown was a teacher at Bettendorf High School, where she also coached cheerleading and golf. Her husband and children started this scholarship to honor excellence in athleticism, good sportsmanship and support of BHS athletics.

Patrick Burr

Patrick A. Burr - Social Studies Scholarship

The Patrick A. Burr Social Studies Scholarship is to be given annually to an outstanding and worthy senior Social Studies student at Bettendorf High School. No application for the scholarship is required and the BHS Social Studies faculty will select the recipient.

This scholarship reflects Mr. Burr’s very high regard for his fellow faculty members. Mr. Burr is fondly remembered by many as a wonderful educator who was highly respected by both fellow teachers and his students. He was always willing to provide individual attention to his students. During his more than 45 year tenure at BHS, Mr. Burr taught European History (including the AP course), Philosophy, and Latin.

Verla Funk - Math Award

Awarded per year to the top senior math student as determined by the BHS math faculty.

Verla Funk was a math teacher at BHS for many years. She had the reputation of taking papers home every night and writing personal notes of encouragement on each one. This scholarship is to honor her passion for teaching and dedication to her students.

Michael Green

Michael J. Green - Music Scholarship

Michael J. Green is the former Director of Instrumental programs for the Bettendorf Community School District.

He received a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL in 1972 and a MA in Education from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. In 1980. A band director since 1972, he taught at Bettendorf High School from 1979 to his retirement in 2007. Prior to coming to the Bettendorf schools, he served as director of bands in Wilton, IA and Gladbrook, IA.

Mr. Green is an active member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA), Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA) and Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) He served as President of the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters in 1979 and has chaired various committees in the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association throughout his career. He has been very active in the American School Band Directors Association since his election to membership in 1986. He has served two three-year terms and member-at-Large to the ASBDA executive board, two one-year terms as treasurer and one one-year term as secretary. In 2003, he was elected president-elect of the American School Band Directors Association and served as national president of the ASBDA in 2005.

Mr. Green has two children who reside in Bettendorf, Geoffrey (28) and Elizabeth (26). Both are graduates of Bettendorf High School and Iowa State University.

Since his retirement from the Bettendorf Community School District, Mr. Green has opened a private lesson studio at West Music in Moline, IL and is teaching band students at Trinity Lutheran School, Davenport, IA.

Joseph Hayes

Joseph D. Hayes - Scholarship

Awarded to the senior who has demonstrated success in accounting and business courses, especially those with higher academic expectations and standards.

Joseph D. Hayes taught business education and accounting courses at Bettendorf High School from 1958 to 1985. During that time, hundreds of students developed not only the skills to pursue higher degrees in the field of business, but the personal skills to enable them to succeed in life. Joe also served many years as the faculty advisor for the high school yearbook, The Beacon, often assisting with the photography himself. It was this hobby that earned him the affectionate nickname of "Photo Joe".

Growing up in Ottumwa, Joe first attended Central College in Pella, Iowa and completed his bachelor's degree in education at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. He later earned a master's degree from Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri. Joe was also a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Navy.

Joe was a teacher who truly cared about his students, often providing encouragement and support to those who faced overwhelming challenges. He was passionate that everyone should do the very best that they could and held students up to the highest of standards. He also provided the support and encouragement that enabled his students to reach these goals.

Joe's family includes his wife, Alicia, and three children Paul, Nancy, and Sara, all of whom graduated from Bettendorf High School. The family has established this scholarship to honor Joe's memory, that of a dedicated teacher, education leader, and friend to so many. It is hoped that the recipient of the Joseph D. Hayes scholarship will pursue their own dreams in the field of business or business education.

Rich & Dee James - Scholarship

Awarded to a senior who demonstrates commitment to and involvement in high school and community activities beyond the classroom.

Rich and Dee James raised their children in the Bettendorf schools and have been involved with the district ever since. Two years ago, they decided to "give back" and establish a scholarship to help make college a reality for a graduating senior. The award is given to a senior who exhibits a strong commitment to community service.

Janice Lawson

Janice Lawson - Eternal Spirit Award

Awarded to the senior who best displays integrity and high morale character; personal accountability; superior sportsmanship and community service.

Janice Lawson loved kids, sports, and her community. She supported community youth programs, particularly those at Bettendorf High School for nearly 40 years.

She was born Janice Mansfield in Cushing, Oklahoma. Her parents were both educators, her mother a classroom teacher and her father a teacher, coach, and administrator. They moved to Iowa in 1952 where she met Marshall Lawson to whom she was married for nearly 47 years before her death. They moved to Bettendorf in 1963 where they raised a family of three; a son, Allen and two daughters, Crystal and LaRae. They are all graduates of Bettendorf Community Schools.

Janice didn't confine her mentoring skills to her family. She was active in a number of youth oriented programs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups, AAU swim teams, youth baseball, Bettendorf Booster Club, and as an avid and vocal fan of all sports. She was "Mom" or "AJ' to countless people and was generally first in line to congratulate or console with a hug and a smile. Her home was always open to kids, to offer encouragement as warranted, advice when needed, and a scolding if deserved.

Participation in the whole school experience was important to Janice. She volunteered, participated and supported because she truly loved to watch kids develop their sense of pride and accomplishment, commitment to others, and the joy of being involved. She was particularly drawn to young people who worked hard to overcome personal or academic challenges and showed a desire to improve and contribute, regardless of their role on a team or in an activity. She truly believed that the group or team was stronger than the sum of it's parts and that success was just as dependent on the average participant as it was on the "star".

As a lasting tribute, our family has established the Janice Lawson Eternal Spirit Award. This award will be granted annually to a graduating Senior who exemplifies the qualities that Janice displayed, and who enrolls in an academic program of study at an accredited 2 or 4 year college, university, or technical school. We hope that recipients will follow in her footsteps.

Dr. A.E. Lampe Family - Scholarship

Awarded to a senior pursuing a nursing degree after high school.

Dr. A.E. Lampe was a Bettendorf dentist and his wife was a nurse. Their children and grandchildren attended Bettendorf schools. This scholarship is given to a student who plans to pursue a degree in nursing and is renewable every year for four years.

Lounsberry

Stewart N. Lounsberry - Scholarship

Awarded each to the most valuable male and female member of the BHS Swim team as selected by the members of the team

Stewart N. Lounsberry was born January 21, 1960. His parents were Harold and Ruth Lounsberry. He had two younger sisters, Betsy and Sheila. He grew up in Rock Island, Il. From the time his parents thought he was tall enough, he started taking swim lessons at the YMCA. At age 5, he joined the AAU swim team. He and his sisters competed year round at swim meets. Stewart won a number of individual competitions. He traveled quite a bit during the summer competing against other AAU teams around western Illinois.

In 1974, the Lounsberry family moved to Bettendorf where he promptly joined the Bettendorf High School swim team in his freshman year. In his sophomore year, he helped establish a pool medley relay record which stood for years. In the 1976-77 swim season, Stewart helped to establish a remarkable dual meet record of 12 wins and 2 loses. He qualified to compete in the state meet that same year for the 100 yard butterfly. On February 23, 1977 two days short of the state swim meet, Steward was killed in a car accident.

Stewart had hoped to go to state, win the gold, and continue swimming the remainder of his senior year. He had devoted his high school years to swimming. Besides swimming, Stewart enjoyed traveling to many different places with his family. He was an active Boy Scout and Eagle Scout completing the most difficult camp there was for Eagle Scouts. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, being outdoors, and hanging out with his friends.

His parents set up the scholarship to keep Stewart’s memory alive and to help student swimmers accomplish their goals. Although he never got to realize his goals, the Lounsberry family feels the scholarship fund is a way of continuing to support the sport Stewart loved so much.

Bill and Alice Mary Meier - Scholarship

Awarded to the senior who exhibits a strong commitment to community service.

Bill and Alice Mary Meier's three children went through Bettendorf schools. The scholarship was started by a former neighbor who was influenced greatly by the Meier family, and is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated strong community service.

Raymond oles

Dr. Raymond W. Oles - Math/Computer Sciences Scholarship

Awarded to the senior who best demonstrates a love of mathematics and has excellence in other BHS activities such as music, arts, student government and sports.

Dr. Raymond W. Oles was a part of the Bettendorf Community School District from 1968 until his death in 1982, serving first as head football and track coach and mathematics instructor and later as Assistant Superintendent of Schools.

His love of education was first instilled in the schools of Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he was an outstanding student/athlete. His first college experience was at the University of Northern Iowa (Iowa State Teachers College) where he majored in Physical Education and Mathematics while lettering in football, wrestling and track. Later college degrees were earned from University of Colorado (Master's in Physical Education); Tulane University (Master's in Mathematics); University of Missouri (Specialist's Degree in Educational Administration); and University of Iowa (Ph.D. in School Administration). Dedication to learning led him to pursue these degrees.

After serving two years in the U.S. Army, Ray was hired by the DeWitt Schools as assistant football coach/mathematics instructor. When the North Scott Schools opened their junior high and high school buildings in 1957, Ray was employed as head football and track coach and mathematics teacher. These were very challenging years for the fledgling school district, but also very successful ones for both Ray and the district.

In 1968 the opportunity arose for him to take over the football program and teach mathematics at Bettendorf. With a lifelong dedication to learning, Ray continued to improve himself through higher education and he eventually moved into the Central Office of the Bettendorf Schools serving with Dr. Ray Stensvad and Mr. Merrit Parsons.

This memorial scholarship was dedicated in his memory on the 25th anniversary year of his death to promote the love of learning and higher education in future BHS graduates. His family, widow Elaine Rose of Bettendorf, U. S. Marine Lt. Col. (ret.) Gary of Jacksonville, NC, Mark, a foundry engineer in Francestown, NH; and Laura, a software engineer in New Brighton, MN are privileged to fund this award.

Donald

Donald A. Schaefer - Science, Math & Engineering Scholarship

In 1997, a BHS graduate, who had been a student of Don's in one or more science courses, donated $100,000 to establish this scholarship, asking that it be named in honor of Don Schaefer. This former student, chose to be and to remain anonymous, His generosity has funded scholarships for many Bettendorf students since 1997.

Don worked with the development and testing of the (then) new courses in PSSC Physics, and Advanced Topics in Physics, and also introduced Harvard Project Physics and CHEM Study Chemistry into the BHS science curriculum. In summer programs, he helped teach other physics teachers at a number of colleges and universities in the U. S. as well as in India and Africa.

As a result of nominations and support from fellow teachers, administrators, students and Board of Education members Don received numerous awards. , He was the Iowa Science teacher awarded the 1985 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Science from President Ronald Reagan. The Iowa math teacher who received the Presidential Award for Excellence in teaching Math this same year was Tom Meskel who was a former math and science student of Don's at West Union, Iowa.

In 2001 Don was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Upper Iowa University. He was nominated for that honor by two other former West Union students, one of whom was then a member of the Board of Trustees at Upper Iowa University. He was informed that by that date he was the only high school teacher to have been awarded an honorary doctorate from UIU. Another recognition most cherished by Don and his wife, Mary, was the naming of the planetarium in 1990 when Don and Mary retired as teachers in the Bettendorf School System.

This Science, Math and Engineering Scholarship is available to BHS graduates who have distinguished themselves by their work in science and math at Bettendorf High school, who intend to continue their education in a science, engineering, math or computer related field and who need some financial assistance to be able to attend the college or university of their choice.

Application forms may be obtained from the Guidance Office, or by speaking with a science teacher.

Don and Mary

Don and Mary Schaefer - Science Scholarship

$2,000 to the Outstanding Senior Science Student as determined by the BHS science faculty

In 1992, three of the charter members of the Bettendorf High School Hall of Honor, announced that they were establishing a scholarship which was to be called the "Donald A. Schaefer Science Scholarship".

Dr, Hiram (Chip) Levy, Dr. Robert (Bob) Gordon and Mr. Robert (Bob) Miller, graduates (from the classes of1958, 1961 and 1965 respectively) had been students of Mr. Schaefer in a number of classes he taught during his early years at BHS. All had been outstanding students in all their science classes, which included honors (PSSC) physics and advanced science and they had also received recognition for their own independent research project work when at BHS.

They established the scholarship fund with their own contributions, and then contacted as many of Mr. Schaefer's former students as they could, who also sent contributions for the scholarship. In 1996, on the occasion of their 48th wedding anniversary, Don asked that the scholarship be renamed "The Don and Mary Schaefer Science Scholarship". He said it was because his wife, Mary, had been as responsible as he was for anything he had ever been able to do, and she should fully share in any recognition or honor he ever received. Don said that she had inspired, encouraged, supported and. wherever she could, assisted him in all his work, while at the same time taking primary responsibility for raising their five sons. At that time, Don (with the full approval of their sons) contributed an amount, then equal to the fund value, for the privilege of renaming the scholarship to include and to honor his wife, their mother.

When Mary Schaefer unexpectedly died April 21, 2007, Don and their sons, contributed an amount that exceeded the current remaining balance in the scholarship fund, in honor and memory of Mary Schaefer. With the help of Terese TouVelle and Jack Dane from the Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation, on the anniversary of Mary's death, (April 21, 2008) Dr. Bob Gordon and Dr. Chip Levy arranged to have a personal letter sent to as many of Don's former students as possible. This letter asked that they contribute enough to the fund to permit raising the annual award amount from $500 to $2,000 and Dr. Gordon and Dr. Levy agreed to personally furnish an additional contribution of their own each year if the investment earnings for that year did not equal the $2,000.

When they established the scholarship, those three Bettendorf alumni said it should be awarded to "The Top Senior Science Student at Bettendorf High School" for that year, and this has been done every year since 1993. This scholarship cannot be applied for - only one student can receive this award as a result of the excellence of four years of his or her work in science, and in what Don calls the primary language of science, math.