The Quad Cities Community Foundation has awarded local students a total of $754,894 in scholarships – the largest amount distributed in its more than 60-year history.
The 79 scholarships were funded through donors to the Community Foundation’s various scholarship funds. More than half of the awards are renewable, providing ongoing financial assistance for students pursuing various educational paths, including community colleges, four-year universities, and trade and technical schools.
“At the Community Foundation, we and our donors remain deeply committed to investing in the success of local students,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, the foundation’s president and CEO. After meeting with the recipients, she noted the inspiration she drew from their potential.
Ms. Hafkemeyer emphasized the personal stories behind the donations. “Some scholarships honor loved ones; others reflect a desire to give back after receiving support themselves,” she said. “No matter the reason, this generosity is an investment in the next generation – and in the future of our entire region.”
Six new scholarship funds issued their first awards this year while several established funds reached significant milestones. The Don E. and Charlotte Williams Scholarship awarded its 500th scholarship. The Paul and Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship and the Edwin R. Adland and Ruth H. Adland Scholarship each surpassed $300,000 in total awards.
“This growth is a testament to the generosity of our region and the faith our community has in education,” Kelly Thompson, the foundation’s vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives, said in a news release. “Scholarships are how donors cast a vote of confidence in our local students.”
The Community Foundation encourages individuals interested in establishing a scholarship fund to contact it at (563) 326-2840.
2025 Scholarship winners
These are the 2025 scholarship recipients:
- Samyr Andilog, Davenport West High School, Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship, James W. Victor Scholarship.
- Bibi Kamela Barikzay, Rock Island High School, Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship.
- Logan Benischek, Scott Community College, Quad City Regional Auto Show – Automotive/Trade School.
- Camden Bennett, Davenport North High School, Dearrel Bates Memorial Scholarship, Kelly Marie McQuate Memorial Scholarship and Paul and Beverly Eckert Scholarship.
- Allie Bowlyou, Western Illinois University, Steve and Virginia Mutziger Scholarship.
- Makenna Burt, University of St. Thomas, Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship.
- Gerald Callahan, Bettendorf High School, Dr. & Mrs. Yang Ho Rhee Scholarship and Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship.
- Carolina Cantero, West Liberty High School, Helen Maurer Simmons Scholarship.
- McKenna Cunningham, Davenport West, Clem Werner Walcott Scholarship and Morency Family Scholarship (Iowa).
- Dalasyia Dixon, Davenport Central, Thomas R. Foley Memorial Scholarship.
- Aidan Dorathy, Riverdale High Schoo, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Rachel Ehlers, Davenport West, Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship.
- Maxwell Geringer, Davenport North, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship.
- Emmalynn Golinghorst, Davenport West, Verna Kaucher Scholarship.
- Tamiyah Gray, United Township High School, Morency Family Scholarship (Illinois).
- Adaline Guzzo, Moline High School, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Lillian Hartley, Moline, P.E.O. Chapter BL – Blanche Wood Music Award Scholarship.
- Sarah Hess, Mercer County High School, Bryant-Holmes Scholarship.
- Benjamin Heuer, United Township, Gene S. Duke Scholarship, Gustav A. & Gerda H.C. Anderson Scholarship, and Ligino Family Scholarship.
- Tenley Houzenga, Knoxville High School, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Charlie Jacobs, Assumption High School, Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship.
- Kasadie Jergens, Davenport Central, Central High School Scholarship for Teacher Education.
- Emily Johnson, Davenport West, Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship, James W. Victor Scholarship
- Aerielle Johnson, Pleasant Valley High School, Jayne Lee Andreesen Memorial Scholarship.
- Claire Justin, Davenport Central, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship.
- Caden Knebel, Pleasant Valley, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Akhil Kumar, Moline, Richard J. Collins Scholarship.
- Mary Anna Le, Davenport West, Horsley Opportunity Scholarship Fund, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship, and Stephanie Gorsh Memorial Scholarship.
- Takia Lloyd, Scott Community College, V. Warren Kurth and Norma Kurth Scholarship.
- Britt Mariman, University of Iowa, Harry and Myrtle Nabstedt Scholarship.
- James Mason, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Dr. G. O. & Arlene Schmiedel Scholarship.
- Erin McMahon, Pleasant Valley, Diana (Diane) De Pover-Nessler Memorial Scholarship.
- Amaya McNeal, Davenport Central, Frances S. Wolfe Memorial Scholarship, Mariah Becker Memorial Scholarship.
- Ellie Merrick, Wethersfield High School, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Dylan Moeller, Davenport Central, Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship.
- Carter Mommsen, Northeast High School, Eastern Iowa Angus Association Oliver Hansen Memorial Scholarship.
- Kassandra Nestle, Jacobs High School, Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship.
- Amber Oien, Wilton High School, Loren and Tammy Bockwoldt Family Scholarship.
- Kannon Park, Cambridge High School, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Cassi Paustian, Iowa State University, Dave Slater Environmental and Conservation Scholarship.
- KaLanna Phillips, Grinnell College, John R. Kiley Memorial Scholarship.
- Makenna Posten, Davenport North, Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship.
- Zachary Powell, North Scott High School, Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship.
- Carter Ramsey, United Township, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Lyric Rice, Rock Island High School, Rock Island High School Class Of 1956 Scholarship and William H. Kleinschmidt Scholarship.
- Reece Riewerts, Davenport North, Corky Kress Golf Scholarship.
- Nevaeh Rivera-Painter, Davenport Mid-City High School, Morency Family Scholarship (Iowa).
- Yazmin Rodriquez, Alleman High School, Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship and Edwin R. Adland & Ruth H. Adland Scholarship
- Brooke Rogers, Huntley High School, Paul & Barbara Yamber Memorial STEM Scholarship.
- Isiah Rose, Assumption, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Adam Shipley, Davenport West, Bill & Hilda Macomber and Alta Kahl Scholarship and the Sophia N. Hapke Scholarship
- Beline Shukuru, Rock Island, Herman & Sarah Segal Scholarship and Louis F. Bulechek Memorial Scholarship.
- Carissa Smith, Davenport Mid-City, Morency Family Scholarship (Iowa).
- Sydney Smith, Pleasant Valley, Sergesketter Family Scholarship.
- Dylan Snell, Geneseo High School, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Cadyn Spirewka, Moline, Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship and Morency Family Scholarship (Illinois).
- Ashtin Staley, Cambridge, Quad City Regional Auto Show – College/University Scholarship.
- Noah Swigart, Fort Madison High School, Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship – Citizenship and Lt. Col. William T. Cooper Scholarship – Medical.
- Hung Tieu, Rivermont Collegiate, Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship.
- Aleida Vazquez, Sterling High School, Morency Family Scholarship (Illinois).
- Antonio Vazquez, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, Quad Cities Mexican American Organization Scholarship.
- Kennedy Witt, Davenport North, Verna Kaucher Scholarship.
Grant Wolford, Pleasant Valley, Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship.
