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The scholarship opportunities for Algona High School graduates are outstanding. Last year AHS graduates received over $890,000 in local scholarships. These scholarship programs are made possible in part by the Algona Community School Foundation in partnership with other private scholarship funds such as the Hoenk, Mahana, and Thompson Scholarships. Throughout the existence of these scholarships, awards totaling in excess of $11 million have aided AHS graduates in their educational pursuits.
A plaque found in the northeast corner of the AHS Commons showcases endowed scholarships available to Algona High graduates and alumni through the Foundation and through other local private scholarship funds. In addition, the recognition plaque also features gifts made for various school improvements.
Foundation Scholarships:
Foundation Scholarships:
Algona Community School Foundation Scholarship
Gregg Buchanan Memorial ACSF Scholarship - Given by the ACSF in honor of the contributions made by long-time Foundation board member, investment advisor and legal counsel to the Foundation. Buchanan was also a graduate of Algona High School.
Gregg & Julie Buchanan Memorial Community Leaders Scholarship Recipients should demonstrate engagement and leadership in the community. This can be demonstrated in a diverse range of organizations and activities throughout the school district and community.
Lyn & Gayle Anderson Scholarship - First awarded in 2019, this scholarship assists a student-athlete. Lyn Anderson was a sports broadcaster for KLGA. His wife Gayle assisted him at games by keeping stats.
Anonymous Academic Scholarship
Anonymous Music Scholarship
Anonymous Community Leader Scholarship
AHS Class of '66 Scholarships -- Two scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of these alumni!
One scholarship is available to a graduate attending a community college.
A second scholarship is available to a graduate who is attending the University of Iowa.
Bolton & Menk Engineering Scholarship -- Given by the local engineering firm, Bolton & Menk, this scholarship is given to a student pursuing engineering, with preference given to a graduating senior who will be attending Iowa State University pursuing civil engineeering.
Kenneth Bunkofske Engineering Scholarship -- For an incoming freshman in Fall 2022 studying engineering at Iowa State University. Student should be involved in school and community activities and demonstrate need.
Broesder Language Arts Scholarship -- Established by Harvey & Mildred Larson of Burt to honor their granddaughter & AHS graduate, Laura Broesder.
Broesder Kleinhesselink Music Award -- Established by Harvey & Mildred Larson of Burt to honor their granddaughte & AHS graduate, LeAnn (Broesder) Kleinhesselink.
Arlen Benschoter Educational Advancement Awards -- New in 2023, this award is the largest gift in ACSF history. Benschoter was a fifth generation farmer on the family farm northeast of Algona in Plum Creek Township. His family farm grew Pioneer Seed Corn continuously since 1937, the year Benschoter was born. Arlen was a graduate of AHS. An avid train collector, he is known for the establishment of the Benschoter Train Station at the Kossuth Ag & Motorsports Museum. His gift will help the Foundation reach more students.
Hollis G. & Jean E. Benschoter Ag Award - Established in 1990, the recipient must pursue an agriculture career at an Iowa school.
Allen & Noma Buchanan Scholarship - Established in 2017. Awarded for volunteer service by the grandchildren of Allen & Noma Buchanan, long-time Algona residents and volunteers.
Henry & Irma Bunkofske Scholarship -- Awarded to an elementary education student at the University of Northern Iowa.
Ginny Friedrich H & R Block Scholarship - Awarded to a graduating student pursuing a degree in accounting or business. Established in 2014.
Jack Celoni Memorial Scholarship - Given by the family of long-time AHS English faculty member, Jack Celoni.
Evelyn Cruikshank McNeill Scholarship -- Given by AHS graduate, Mary Grefe, in honor of her sister, Evelyn Cruikshank McNeill.
Brandon Divis Blue & Gold Memorial Scholarship -- Established in 2007 in honor of Brandon Divis, this award recognizes a student's involvement in the Algona FFA chapter.
Mayor Bill Finn & Nelda Finn Scholarship - Awarded first in 2019, this scholarship was created by Dr. Jim Finn, AHS Class of 1962, and Dr. Paula Finn, in memory of his parents. The scholarship is awarded to a student with the kind of strong work ethic shown by his parents. Bill Finn ran a bakery in Algona and served as mayor for many years. Nelda was a nurse.
Cody Fortune Memorial Scholarship -- Established in 2021 in memory of Cody Fortune, this scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing the power lineman program of study.
John & Thelma Hayes Memorial Scholarship -- Established in 1982 to honor John and Thelma Hayes, this scholarship goes to the senior who has come the closest to achieving academic excellence at AHS with grade point average a top consideration in addition to leadership, service and character. Both John and Thelma had a strong interest in education. Prior to making their home in Algona, Thelma taught English and was a drama coach while John served as a coach, instructor, school administrator and superintendent of schools. While living in Algona, John served Chairman of the Board for the ACSD Board of Education.
Honsbruch Scholarship -- Established in 2009, long-time Algona pharmacist and businessman Merlyn "Dutch" Honsbruch and his wife, Pat, created this scholarship.
Alice Mae Laing Drama Award -- Given to a drama student, this award honor the wife of retired superintendent, O.B. Laing.
Sharon Kay Lemkee Scholarship Fund. This fund provides for two different scholarships – one for agriculture, and another for elementary education. Sharon Lemkee began teaching in 1956 and joined the Algona Community Schools in 1968. She taught at Bryant Elementary from 1968 until 1970 and then at O.B. Laing Middle School as a language arts instructor from 1970 until 1997. This scholarship is renewable.
Jack Lindeman Elementary Education Award -- This award is given in memory of long-time Bertha Godfrey elementary school principal, Jack Lindeman, to a student majoring in elementary education.
Ralph & Lavon Lindhorst Scholarship -- Established in 2023, this scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a career in law enforcement (preferred). Ralph Lindhorst served as Kossuth Co. Sheriff from 1949 - 1968 after serving in the U.S. Army where he landed at Utah Beach D+3 at Normandy and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Lavon Lindhorst worked as a bookkeeper and later as a secretary at the POW Camp in Algona. Both were AHS graduates -- Ralph, AHS '34, and Lavon, AHS '38.
Alvin & Delva Pedersen Family Scholarship -- Established in 2022 this scholarship is given by the descendants of Alvin & Delva Pedersen to a student who demonstrates need and shows potential. Their children are: Dianna (AHS '65), Dale (AHS '68) and Wayne (AHS '70) and Linda (AHS '77).
Principal's Leadership Award -- Given by the Foundation the recipient is chosen based on high school leadership.
Kenneth Reed Scholarship -- Kossuth County farmer Kenneth Reed established a scholarship endowment fund with a gift to the Foundation. Reed was born in Wesley and graduated from Elmore (MN) High School. The first award was given in 2012 and is renewable for four years.
George Sefrit Agricultural Scholarship -- This award honors long-time Algona ag educator George Sefrit.
LiIliace Sefrit Music Scholarship -- This music award for music majors honors piano teacher Lilliace Sefrit.
Sefrit Character & Leadership Scholarship -- This renewable four-year scholarship honors leadership, citizenship and scholarship.
Gaylord D. Shumway Memorial Scholarship -- Students receiving this award must be National Merit Scholarship Program semi-finalists.
Snap-On Tools Scholarship -- An award for a student pursuing a two-year program in welding, tool & die or as an electrician.
Kathryn & Whitey Voigt Scholarship - Established in 2017 by long-time Algona residents Kathryn and Harold "Whitey" Voigt for post-secondary education.
Kathryn & Whitey Voigt Scholarship for Nursing - Established in 2017 by long-time Algona residents Kathryn and Harold "Whitey" Voigt for students pursing an LPN or RN designation. Candidates must demonstrate scholarship, leadership and citizenship.
Edward J. Berninghaus Ag Scholarship – Beginning in 2025, Betty Berninghaus honored the enthusiasm her brother Edward felt while attending AHS and participating in FFA by endowing the Edward J. Berninghaus Ag Scholarship for an AHS FFA student seeking a degree in agriculture at either a 2-year or 4-year college or university.
Bob & Myrna Diekmann Athletic Scholarship – Established in 2025, this scholarship is awarded annually to one female and one male athlete who intend to carry their sports career to college. The scholarship blends the Diekmann family’s dedication to athletics and to academics.
Bernardo Family Memorial Scholarship – Established in 2024, this scholarship was created in honor of parents Vince and Joan Bernardo. Vince and Joan made education a priority. Despite limited means, they ensured that each of their seven children had the opportunity to attend college after high school. This scholarship recognizes a student in need to support their post high school education goals.
Marty McGuire Mechanics Scholarship – Beginning in 2026, this scholarship will be awarded to an Algona High School graduate majoring in automotive or diesel mechanics in honor of Marty McGuire and his legacy of hard work. Marty had a long-time trucking business where he had the opportunity to provide adolescents with a job where he became the mentor to many. He precisely restored countless antique tractors. This scholarship honors his dedication to others and his talents.
Other Local Private Scholarships:
Other Local Private Scholarships:
Hoenk Scholarship -- Awarded by the Hoenk Foundation, these scholarships assist students in fields related to agriculture, medicine, nursing and veterinary medicine at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Established in 1984 this scholarship fund was created by local businessman Howard Hoenk and his wife, Katherine, a school teacher.
Mahana Congregational Church Scholarship -- Gladys Mahana retired to Algona to live with her sister after careers as a teacher and accountant. She left her estate to the First Congregational Church of Algona for the purpose of encouraging post-high school educational development. Although a church screening board makes the selections, recipients need not be members of the church. Applicants must show financial need, indicate seriousness of purpose, and a sense of direction in their academic pursuits.
Thompson Scholarship -- In honoring his sister, Ella, who served Algona as public librarian for many years, Willard Thompson created this scholarship in 1957 to award money to "graduates who would need to borrow money or work their way in order to secure an education at an Iowa post-secondary school." The money was given to a trust supervised by the Algona Community School District.
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