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.
