As members and contributors, we thought you may enjoy knowing where your donations are going and the impact they have on the award recipients. Included below are all of the notes and comments we have received from those students since the COLEG's first scholarships were awarded in 2001.  Some of the notes and letters have been edited for the sake of brevity.  

2022 Recipient
"Thank you to the COLEG Organization for the scholarship I received and will be used for continuing my education at Jamestown College."
Ozzie Meyer-Rice

2021 Recipient
"Thank you so much for the Hunter-Swenson/Legion Post 214 scholarship. I am honored to be selected for such a prestigious scholarship. I hopoe to make all of you proud in my academic pursuits in the coming years. Thank you for this opportunity. Thanks again!"
Sincerely, April J. Weleski - Class of 2021

"Thank you so much for your donation! It is greatly appreciated!"
Liz Webster

I would like to say thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship! I appreciate it so much!
Gracie Belle

Thanks from past LHS Graduates
I would like to say thank you for putting money towards the COLEG Scholarhship and organizing it. This money will be very helpful for paying for college. I am going to North Dakota State College of Science for business management. Again I would like to say thank you for this money.
Courtney Fredrickson

Thank you for considering and awarding me this Helen Hunter-Swenson scholarship. This scholarship will assist in paying tuition at Saint Louis University. I will be attending SLU for physical therapy, as well as being a member of the honors program and learning community.
Thank you, Josie Steen

Thank you for making the Kenneth and Evelyn Berg and COLEG scholarships possible and for choosing me as a recipient. I am truly grateful to live in a community that shows such great support for students. I'm looking forward to attending NDSU, and this award will allow me to focus less on the financial burden of college and more on getting the best education possible.
Sincerely, Rachel Schmiedeberg

Thank you for selecting me for the Kenneth and Evelyn Berg and Lowell Homstad scholarship. This fall I plan to attend the North Dakota State College of Science. I will pursue an Associate of Arts degree. Once finished with my A.A degree I plan to transfer to a university where I plan to study education.
Sincerely, Cora Vagle

Thank you for all you do for our community. Also thank you for the scholarship. It means a lot!
Thanks, Jackson Peterson

Thank you COLEG committee for the scholarship you awarded me.
Ty Diamond

Thank you for awarding me the Herman and Myrtel Nelson Memorial Scholarship. I will put it to good use at Grand Canyon University.
Thanks again, Tea Mae Jerome

Thank you for choosing to give me the William and Ruth Wilebski Scholarship. I feel very honored that you would choose to award me that scholarship.
Reese Steen

Thank you to the members of COLEG for the scholarship you awarded me. I am currently in my sophomore year at NDSU, studying Biochemistry.
Sincerely, Max Baldwin

Thank you for the Arneson Scholarship. It will be greatly appreciated, as I go to college and major in auto mechanics.
Thanks again, Blayne Davis

Thank you for my scholarship. I had a great first year at NDSU. I worked hard and am now officially a nursing major. Thank you for being part of my journey. I will continue to work hard and make you all proud!
Maggie Rice

Thank you for choosing me for the scholarship. I really appreciate it.
Kyle Carlson

2016 Recipient
"Thank you for the gift of scholarship to help me further my education and to help me reach my dream career. In the fall I will be attending Luther College."
Thanks again, Trent Jerome

Thank you for selecting me as the recipient for the Al & Irene Arneson Scholarship. Your financial assistance is greatly appreciated and will be put towards furthering my education at Michigan State University. Thanks again!
Lexi Peterson

2014 Award = $25,500

"Thank you so much for picking me as one of the 2015 COLEG Scholarship recipients.
It will greatly aid me as I attend the University of Minnesota/Crookston in pursuit of a degree in Accounting.
It has truly been such a blessing to grow up in a commuity as supportive as Lancaster.
Summer Billings

Thank you for selecting me as a recipient of a 2014 COLEG Scholarship. It will come in useful as I attend UND in the coming years. My plans are to pursue a business management degree.
Drew Olsonawski

"Thank you for the $2,000 scholarship I received.  I am nearly finished with my first year of Construction Electricity.
Much appreciated ~ Nathan Rice

2013 Award = $17,400

"Thank you for awarding me with the Hunter-Swenson scholarship! It will be very helpful when I attend UND for Elementary Education. Thanks again!

Vada Westerberg

2012 Awards = $19,400

"Thank you for awarding me the Al and Irene Arneson Scholarship. It will come in handy as I pay off my tuition to the University of Minnesota."

Blake Nelson

"I would like to say thank you for the scholarship that I received last year.  I am currently attending UND, majoring in nursing. My first semester went well and this semester is also good. Thanks again for the scholarship. I really appreciate it."

Shelby Diamond

"Thank you for awarding me the Ruth and William Welebski scholarship. It is an honor and it will be put to good use. I am almost complete with my first year at the University of North Dakota where I plan on receiving a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology."

Megan Olsonawski

Note from 2012 Recipient Megan Olsonawski:  Again, thank you for the scholarship this semester.  This extra money helps so much more than you know.  I have switched majors to Managerial Finance and Accounting, and I am enjoying it very much. Please take good care of Lancaster for me because, I will be back.

Megan Olsonawski


"I waited to send my thank you until after my first semester completion. I did so to assure you I was a good pick. Last semester I received a 3.91 gpa. I worked hard and will continue to do so. I thank you for the scholarship! It helps get me through school. Thank you so much again!

Sierra Karboviak

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2011 - (9 awards totaling $19,000)

"Thank you for making my graduation day special! I am so excited to start a new chapter in my life.  This fall I will be attending UND in Grand Forks, ND, majoring in Law. I thank you, COLEG Scholarship Committee, for the money I will use to further my goals.

Courtney Rice

"Thank you for the COLEG Scholarship that I received. The money will help finance my Early Childhood degree from UMC. I really appreciate your support. Thank you."

Anna Christopherson

(11 awards totaling $14,500) - 2010

"Thank you very much for the scholarship. It will be greatly appreciated when I am attending NCTC in EGF. I will be pursuing my generals along with an emphasis in journlism. Thank you again."

 Haley Weleski

"Thank you for the wonderful scholarship of $1000. During my short time here it has become apparent that I am very lucky to come from Lancaster which has a unique group of dedicated individuals which makes going to college more affordable."

Blaine Nelson 

2009 (13 awards totaling $15,350) 

"Thank you so much for the generous scholarship!  It will be put to good use, as I will start school at UND for nursing this fall.  Although it is hard to express such gratitude, thank you again for choosing to support me as I continue my education."

Sincerely,
Savana Peterson

"I'd like to thank you very much for the $1,000 scholarship!  I appreciate it so much.  It's going to be a huge boost my second year.  Going through college is going to be much easier and less stressful thanks to this scholarship.   Thanks again for selecting me as a recipient."
Ethan Elfstrom

I would like to thank everyone involved in the COLEG Administration for awarding me tis scolarship of $750. It will greatly help in funding my academic career as a college student. Thanks again.
Tyler Hanson

"I am thankful to the COLEG organization for this award and helping me with the financial obligations of a college education.  We are very fortunate to have this organization working for the students of Lancaster School.  Thank you so very much.
Shannon Dalbey

2008 (12 awards totaling $21,800) 

"Thank you for selecting me to receive the $3,000 scholarship.   I appreciate it!  You guys have done a great job in building this group.   The scholarship will go towards paying for college.  I will be attending Northland College in East Grand Forks for nursing."

Sincerely,

Brandi Sele

"Thank you for awarding me as a recipient of one of your scholarships.  COLEG is a true asset to our community and youth and I thank you for your dedication and efforts."

Zachary Jaszczak

Thanks for the $1,500 for college.  I used it for books, tools,  & tuition this semester."

Jordan Peterson

"My sincere and utmost appreciation to the COLEG organization for awarding me the Ruth and William Wilebski Scholarship.  With the phenomenal cost of college, this money will greatly assist my graduation goals over the next three years.  Thank you, COLEG Selection Committee, and I am looking forward to attending UND."

Dustin Dalbey

2007 (10 awards totaling $20,550) 

"Thank you for helping to provide the scholarship foundation that allowed me to receive the Hunter-Swenson Scholarship.  This will be a great help to me during my college."

Paul Johnson

"Thank you very much for the scholarship you awarded me with in the amount of $3,000!  I truly appreciate the work you all do to keep the program in operation as it is so good for the students in a small community like ours.  Thanks again!"

Chelsi Nelson

"Thank you for selecting me to receive a very generous scholarship.   It is greatly appreciated and will really help."

Thank You,

Ben Christopherson

"I would like to thank you for selecting me to receive the Al and Irene Arneson Scholarship in the amount of $1,500.  It will provide a great deal of help with my future plans.  This scholarship is a great opportunity for Lancaster students who are trying to further their education."

"This fall I will attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston, where I will major in animal science.  Thanks you so much for the scholarship."

Kari Olson

2006 (11 awards totaling $17,350) 

"Thank you very much for thinking of me when I received a $1,000 scholarship from you.  It was very generous and will help me further my education.   The money will be VERY helpful.  Thanks again for everything."

Chase Homstad

"Thank you for the scholarship you awarded me in honor of Kenneth & Evelyn Berg.  This will help me further my education.  My future plans are to attend UND and pursue a degree in physical therapy and pre-med."

Allison (Mackay)

"Thank you for the scholarship you gave me.  It will really help out with my schooling."

Shane Peterson

"Thank you so much for selecting me for a COLEG scholarship.  It will help me in the fall when I attend the University of Minnesota - Crookston to pursue a degree in accounting.  Thanks again!"

Whitney Coffield

Thank you so much for the scholarship I received!  This scholarship will come in handy my 2nd year of school.  This program is wonderful, and I'm so thankful for the scholarship I received!!  Thanks again."

Ashley Stewart

2005 (10 awards totaling $14,600) 

"Thank you for the Scholarship."

Evan Bernstrom

"Thank you very much for awarding the Al And Irene Arneson Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to me.  It will help further my education in Mass Communications at Moorhead State University."

Nick Rapacz

"Thank you so much for the scholarship. It will be put to good use investing in my future.  Thank you for your consideration."

Hope Haugstad

"Thank you so much for the Hunter-Swenson Recognition Scholarship in the amount of $1,500!  It's greatly appreciated and will be used to further my education in nursing at EGF!"

Always,

Lacey (Swenson)

"I so much appreciate your selecting me to receive the Kenneth and Evelyn Berg Scholarship.  It will help out greatly."

Thanks again,

Dixie Dalbey

"I would like to take this time to thank you for the Ruth (Norland) & William Wilebski Scholarship in the amount of $4,500.  The award is greatly appreciated.  It will be very helpful as I attend UMC to double major in animal industries management and equine industries management.  I plan to return to work on the family farm and someday become a certified equine massage therapist.  Thanks again!"

Sincerely,

Danika Kent

2004 (12 awards totaling $13,850) 

"I would like to thank you for selecting me to receive the Ruth (Norland) and William Wilebski Scholarship.  I'm sure it will go a long way in helping me to further my education.  My current plans are to attend UND for my biology degree, and then apply to vet school."

Thank you once again,

Shannon L. Strege

"I have already written a thank you to Lowell Swenson for the scholarship I received but I also felt it necessary to thank all of you for your time and dedication to education.  I know it has made a difference for quite a few students including me."

Thanks,

John Johnson

"Thank you for presenting me with the $1,000 Becky Christopherson Memorial Scholarship.  It is most appreciated.  I am excited to attend Bemidji State University this fall."

Jessie Groves

"Thank you  so much for awarding me the $1,000 scholarship.   It will help me and my family out very much in the future.  We appreciate it very much!

Abby (Elfstrom) & Family

"I have received the scholarship that I was awarded.  I just wanted to write and say thank you so much for the large amount of money to put towards school.  It will help out a great deal this next semester for credits and books.   It means a lot, thanks again,

Sincerely,

Abby Elfstrom (after receiving her reimbursement)

(to COLEG Board)

"Thank you for the generous tuition reimbursement award.  I'll apply these funds to my loans from my amazing study abroad experience in Oxford, England.   I'm graduating from UMC in May with a degree in Information Technology Management.   I plan to work at Wiktel."

Thanks,

Richard (Laager)

(to COLEG board of directors & scholarship selection committee)

"Thank you very much for awarding me a scholarship under your tuition reimbursement program.  The money will be used toward a degree in Information Technology Management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  I'm honored to be selected as a scholarship recipient.  I'll make Lancaster proud.

Sincerely,

Richard Laager

2003 (8 awards totaling $8,100)  

"I would like to thank you for the $600 scholarship you granted me.   It will definitely help me as I continue to attend college."

Thank you,

Seth Whitlock

"I just wanted to extend my gratitude for the Ruth and William Wilebski scholarship. It will be a great help in paying for college."

Justin Nordin

2002 (7 awards totaling $7,600) 

"Thank you so much for the scholarship I was awarded at graduation ceremonies.  It will be a welcome assistance to my continuance of my education at UND.  Thank you again for your kindness."

Sincerely,

Nicole Engstrom

2001 (5 awards totaling $2,600) 

"First, I would like thank you for the $600 scholarship from the American Legion Post 214 and Auxiliary.  I  am starting my second year at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and it has been going good so far."   "Thank you for choosing me - my parents also say "Thanks!" as they are providing financial support.

Gratefully yours,

Sarah Dawn Peterson

"Thank you so much for the scholarship program that you helped organize and sponsor.  I feel it is a great honor to be chosen to receive the Leona Nelson Cerkowniak scholarship given by her sister, Lorraine Dunn."

"I look forward to college and will use the scholarship to help fulfil my future dreams and goals at the University of North Dakota.  I hope to uphold the same importance of education that Leona did.  I thank you all for your help and the importance you portray in furthering the education of Lancaster High School graduates.  Thanks again."

Sincerely,

Timothy Peterson

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