NCC Scholarships
Overview
In support of continuing education for rural youth, Northwest Communications Cooperative (NCC) is proud to sponsor community scholarship programs. To qualify, the applicant or the applicant’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must be members of NCC.
Applications for the following scholarships are sent to area schools and colleges/universities. Additional applications may be obtained by contacting NCC at 701-568-3331 or 800-245-5884. The scholarship applications are also available below for download
Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship
For the thirty-eighth year, NCC is sponsoring this scholarship which was established in honor of previous manager, Art Johnson, who worked for NCC from 1951 to 1985. NCC will be awarding four (4) $1,000 scholarships in 2023. These scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and students in post-secondary institutions. Application deadline is March 17, 2023.
2022 Scholarship Winners
Hannah Johnson, daughter of Lavern and Julie Johnson, is a junior at the University of North Dakota. She graduated from Grenora High School in 2019. Hannah is double majoring in marketing and communications and minoring in leadership. She is currently involved in the UND Marketing Club, UND Cru, and works as an Admissions Ambassador with the UND Office of Admissions. In high school, she was involved in volleyball, basketball, track, 4-H, National Honor Society, band, choir, youth group, Close-Up, science fair, student council, and teaching Sunday School.
Rudy Kummer, son of Eric & Anne Kummer, is a senior at Bainville High School. He has been actively involved in FFA, Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society, and Music Council throughout high school. He served as the President for NHS and Vice President for the local FFA chapter his senior year. While in FFA, he won state individually in Farm Business Management and received gold at FFA National convention for his Agriscience project. He was selected as a star student in January 2021 and March 2022 by the Western Cooperative Credit Union. He is a part of the Williston State College orchestra playing trombone. Rudy was also involved in golf his junior and senior year. He competed and placed in all four categories at the regional academic olympics. He maintained a 4.0+ GPA throughout junior high and high school. Rudy plans to attend North Dakota State University to earn a Master’s degree in Economics.
Jayden Parkinson, son of Jade and Kristie Parkinson, is a senior at Bowbells High School. He was actively involved in football, basketball, drama, speech, golf, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Academic Olympics, Choir, and Band. Jayden has served as an FBLA President for one year, and an FBLA officer for one other year. He has received many awards in speech, drama, and FBLA. Jayden has been a straight A honor roll student and was also selected to the Silver Academic All-State Team. Jayden plans to attend North Dakota State University to pursue a degree in Electrical or Agricultural Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.
Thomas Ankenbauer, son of Joy & Bryan Ankenbauer, is a senior at Kenmare High School. He was involved in basketball, baseball, speech, drama, Student Council, coaching basketball, Academic Olympics, and Future Business Leaders of America. Thomas has been vice president of Student Council, and held a leadership position in FBLA. He has also been captain of the basketball team where he received all district and district tournament team awards. He has been on the “A” honor roll since his freshman year. Thomas has spent many hours volunteering for the Burke County backpack program and helping at the Kenmare Closet non-profit. During his free time, Thomas plays basketball or works on his family’s farm near Bowbells. In the fall, Thomas plans to attend North Dakota State University for an Agriculture degree.
Kenneth Lund, Jr. Scholarship
For the twenty-first year, NCC is pleased to sponsor a technology scholarship. This scholarship was established in honor of previous General Manager Kenneth Lund, Jr., who worked for NCC from 1969 to 2003. NCC will be awarding two (2) $1,000 technology scholarships in 2023. These scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a curriculum studying the telecommunications, information technology and/or computer technology field at an accredited technical school or a two or four-year college/university. However, all high school seniors and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is March 17, 2023
2022 Scholarship Winners
Bo Thingvold, son of Jon & Celeste Thingvold, is a freshman attending Valley City State University. Bo attended Bowbells High School and was actively involved in football, basketball, baseball, speech, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Academic Olympics, Choir, Band, and Luther League. Bo served as the Bowbells High School Student Council President. He also served as an FBLA officer his last three years of high school and as Class President since seventh grade. Bo received many awards in football, basketball, speech, and FBLA. He was a Straight A Honor Roll student since seventh grade. He was also selected to the Bronze Academic All-State Team. When not busy with school and extracurricular activities, Bo likes to spend his time on the farm, hunting, fishing, and hanging with friends. While attending Valley City State University, Bo is earning a degree in Agribusiness while competing on the football team.
Crystal Bagley, daughter of Delbert and Wanda Bagley, is a senior at Tioga High School. She has been actively involved in many things throughout her community and school. Crystal has been an officer in her local FFA chapter serving as Sentinel since her freshman year. She has also been a part of the yearbook committee since then as well. She has held great academic standards which has put her on the honor roll for numerous years. Volunteering for many different activities and clubs is something she is known for in her community. Crystal plans to attend North Dakota State University majoring in nursing.
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship
For the nineteenth year, NCC is excited to offer students in our local school districts the opportunity to apply for this national scholarship program sponsored by our national affiliate, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association. In 2023, FRS will award thirty (30) $2,500 scholarships to rural high school seniors. This scholarship is not available to students in post-secondary institutions. Local students in our service area will be competing with other rural students in our NTCA region, which includes ND, SD, MN, and WI. Should a student from our service area be selected to receive one of the 30 scholarships, FRS will fund $2,000 and NCC will fund $500. The FRS scholarship is not a scholarship based on grade point average. Rather, it is geared toward seniors who are good, solid students, but may not qualify for scholarship programs based solely upon GPA. Some preference may be given to individuals expressing an interest to return to work in a rural area following graduation. Applications must be submitted online to FRS by February 8, 2023, using this link: https://www.frs.org/scholarships .
The FRS Staurulakis Family Scholarship
The FRS is proud to announce the twelfth year of four scholarships funded by Manny and Leo Staurulakis, of John Staurulakis, Inc. (JSI) in honor of their parents, John and Chresanthe Staurulakis and to celebrate 50 years of service to the rural telephone industry. In 2023 JSI will award four (4) $5,000 scholarships to rural high school seniors. This scholarship is not available to students in post-secondary institutions. The application used for the above FRS Scholarship will be used for this scholarship. Students with a focus in the science, math, medicine, or engineering will be automatically considered for these JSI Staurulakis Family Scholarships. With the generous addition of the Staurulakis Family Scholarships, the Foundation will offer nearly $100,000 annually to help rural students attain a higher education. As stated above, applications must be submitted online to FRS by February 8, 2023, using this link: https://www.frs.org/scholarships .
The application used for the FRS Scholarship will be used for this scholarship.
2023 Scholarship Awards
Winners
Brooklyn Fortier
2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner
Brooklyn Fortier, daughter of John and Roxanne Fortier, is a senior at Divide County High School. She is active in school activities such as FFA, FBLA, National Honors Society, band, volleyball, basketball, and track as well as activities outside of school such as 4-H and club volleyball. She has won multiple awards in both volleyball and track. Brooklyn has served as a chapter FFA officer starting her sophomore year as Parliamentarian, Sentinel, and Secretary. She has also won many awards in band, 4-H, FFA, and FBLA, allowing her to attend nationals multiple times in FBLA and once in FFA. Brooklyn is a straight A student and on the "A" honor roll since freshman year. She spends her free time at a local gym to play volleyball or helps her family on the ranch. This fall, Brooklyn plans to attend Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND, majoring in Physical Fitness, and play volleyball at college level.
Shelby Knox
2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner
Shelby Knox, daughter of Donald and Sarah Knox, is a senior at Ray High School. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, FBLA, and student council. She currently serves as FBLA President and Student Council Vice President. During her FBLA career, she qualified for nationals all four years. Shelby has been on the honor roll throughout her junior high and high school years. In the fall, Shelby plans to attend the University of North Dakota for a degree in Kinesiology.
Jule Stenson
2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner
Jule Stenson, daughter of Lee and Tammy Stenson, is a senior at Divide County High School. She has been actively involved in 4H, Band, Basketball, Club Volleyball, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National FFA Organization (FFA), National Honor Society (NHS), Pep Club, Softball, Speech, Student Council, Volleyball, and Yearbook. Through these extracurricular activities and clubs, she has received many awards and honors. Among other leadership positions, Jule served as the Divide County High School Student Council President and was also President of her local FFA Chapter. She also served as Rodeo Royalty for the White Earth Valley Saddle Club. When she isn’t busy with school activities, she enjoys working at the family ranch and competing in open horse shows in the summer. In the fall, Jule plans to attend Williston State College.
Savanna Fredrickson
2023 Arthur S. Johnson Scholarship Winner
Savanna Fredrickson, daughter of Nick & Teddi Fredrickson, is a senior at Powers Lake High School. She has been involved in many extracurricular activities including volleyball, basketball, FBLA, SADD, and Academic Olympics. She acted as an officer in both FBLA (Reporter) and SADD (Vice President). She was very successful in her volleyball and basketball careers where she was named as an All District, All Tournament, and All Region Player in both sports. She has sustained a 4.0 throughout high school and has therefore received “high honors” each year. Savanna has also helped lead worship at her church for many years. She was selected to the Academic All State – Bronze Team her senior year. She spends her free time on adventures with her friends or playing basketball. This fall, Savanna plans to attend the University of Mary’s Nursing Academy where she will be on an exceled rate to achieve her Bachelors of Nursing Degree in 2.6 years.
Lucas Olson
2023 Kenneth Lund Jr. Scholarship Winner
Lucas Olson, son of Ryan Olson and Lisa Olson, attends Ray High School. Lucas was actively involved in basketball and baseball, as well as Academic Olympics and the Science Olympiad. Lucas is also an honor student. During the summer of 2022, Lucas was selected as a finalist for the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Pilgrimage for Youth speech contest in New York City. Outside of school activities, Lucas enjoys going for drives in the country, fishing, hunting, and hanging out with friends. After high school, he plans to attend NDSU to pursue a degree in engineering.
Riley Pederson
2023 Kenneth Lund Jr. Scholarship Winner
Riley Pederson, daughter of Michael and Ronica Pederson, is a senior at Tioga High School. She has been actively involved in many things throughout the community and school. She has participated in choirs at both school and church, and won numerous awards at Regional and State vocal contests, and a four-year award for Northwest International Festival of Music. Riley has held great academic standards and has been on the honor roll all through high school. She has been an active volunteer throughout the community, helping at the Tioga Theater, the Tioga 1st Lutheran Church, and the Tioga Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. Riley plans on attending Williston State College for two years before transferring to the University of North Dakota to major in Civil Engineering and Computer Science for Software Engineering.
