Awards and Scholarships
Curry Scholarship
It is an honor for the Missouri Basketweavers Guild to present the Curry Scholarships, in honor of Roger and Betty, at the annual convention to a first time and a returning attendee.
Roger was born into a long line of basket makers tracing his roots back to Christopher Columbus Gibson who started weaving this distinct style of oak baskets in the 1840s. Roger would fall the trees, split them, carve handles and rims, and pull weavers and uprights – a very labor-intensive process!
In the late 1970, Roger and his wife Betty, were asked to teach at the Christianson Native Crafts Workshop in Shannondale, Missouri where they were told to anticipate about 20 students in their class. Instead, 70 students signed up for their class – a daunting excess which they somehow managed to get through. Shortly after, they were asked to teach a class in Clarksville, Missouri. Thus, they were launched in a new direction. Both Roger and Betty continued to share the tradition of basket making throughout their lives.
*The Roger Curry Scholarship was established in 1995 and originally set up to give one attendee paid registration to the next annual convention. Marjorie Bretzler was the scholarship winner in 1995 for the 1996 convention. The following year awards were given for first timer and returning attendees for the current convention registration. In October 2018, the name was renamed to "Curry Scholarship" after the passing of Roger's wife, Betty.
** We are searching for the names of Curry Scholarship winners for the years 1999 and 2000. If you know the names of any winners for these years, please contact our Electronic Media coordinator at emc-mbg@basketweavers.org.
Curry Scholarships - First Time Attendees
1997 Beth Babb, Candy Reed
1998 Janet Dillman, Rita Nardin, Jennifer Miller
2002 Mary McKinzie, Diane Wilson
2003 Jean Fisher, Jane Rundlett
2004 Amy Hamilton, Debra Mann
2005 Lynn Elbert, Marsha Foster
2006 Shirley Bowers
2007 Yvonne Fahringer
2008 Diane VanOsdol
2009 Melissa Smith
2010 Carol Tripp
2011 Karen Gentry
2012 Linda Randolph
2013 Alice Ford
2014 Karen Maricha
2015 Joanie Meador
2016 Alice VanSant
2017 Lauren Hall
2018 Janice Cannestra
2019 Deborah Jane Goff
2021 Brittney Harrold
2022 Barbara Miner
2023 Debra Reichert
Curry Scholarships - Returning Attendees
1996 Marjorie Bretzler
1997 Nicki Janczak, Sandy Schmidt, Cindy Smith
1998 Doris Hynes, Gloria Little
2002 Vicki Arnett, Judy Yeages
2003 Karen Ferbezar, Bev Larson
2004 Beth Proctor, Carolyn Slaughter
2005 Susan High, Shalon McPhee
2006 Bonnie Schreckengast
2007 Jeanie Dresslaer-Smith
2008 Lynn Touchette
2009 Jeannie Sisson
2010 Mary Ann Allen
2011 Marilyn Wayman
2012 Melissa Karlson
2013 Lana Dudzinski
2014 Kathy Labbez
2015 Betty Buckley
2016 Cheryl Johner
2017 Dianne Crowl-Ventura
2018 Mary Price
2019 Mary Ann Potter
2021 Roxy Kuipers
2022 Darina Sargeant
2023 Carol McGraw
Founding Members Memorial Scholarship
In 2005, the guild established the Founding Members Memorial Scholarship to honor dedicated founding members who have passed away. Each year at the annual convention, two scholarships winners are selected from the general membership to receive the convention registration fee for the next annual convention. The scholarship is presently in honor of Ann Clark and Lillian Hoyt.
Ann Clark made her first basket in 1980 in a white oak tree-to-basket class with Roger and Betty Curry. From then on, she was hooked. Her favorite weaving material was white oak and naturals. Ann was a founding member of the Woven Circle guild and was instrumental in joining forces with members from the St. Louis Missouri Basketweavers Chapter to form what we know today as the Missouri Basketweavers Guild. Ann was in attendance at the first meeting of a state-wide organization in Hannibal. A few years later, she suggested Missourians needed a basket weaving convention; a feat that some said could not be done. With her great organization skills and love for basketry, she made it happen in a big way. The first annual Missouri Basket Sampler Convention was held June 13-14, 1992, in Kansas City, with 115 weavers in attendance. Ann was enthusiastic in her love for the art of basket weaving and radiated that zest with all who knew her. Ann passed away on September 17, 2002, which happened to also be her birthday.
Lillian Hoyt was another who also attended the first meeting of the Missouri Basketweavers held in Hannibal trying to create a State Guild. Lillian discovered basket weaving in 1985 when she took a class in North Carolina. Over the years, Lillian took many classes, taught many classes, wove many baskets and attended many conventions. Lillian loved to talk about the way they used to do things, about various teachers that she took classes from, and about the clothespins with hooks on them that you can't buy anymore. Lillian wove from 1985 until January of 2008. Lillian passed away on March 23, 2008.
Founding Members Memorial Scholarships Awards
2005 for 2006 Registration N. Louise Page, Donalene Wright
2006 for 2007 Registration Brenda McPheron, Deanna Waddell
2007 for 2008 Registration Lynanne Keleher, Judi Miller
2008 for 2009 Registration Susan Bell, Pat White
2009 for 2010 Registration Clo Cass, Carol Smith
2010 for 2011 Registration Linda Ponsler, Judy Rains
2011 for 2012 Registration Neta Sanders, Wahleah Walker
2012 for 2013 Registration Paula Boehm, Rita Lanners
2013 for 2014 Registration Vicki Edmond, Donna Jeanneret
2014 for 2015 Registration Bob Ingoldsby, Jan Juchniewicz
2015 for 2016 Registration Lisa Adams, Rosie Huddleston
2016 for 2017 Registration Cindy Harris, Jan Oberhart
2017 for 2018 Registration Amy Bell, Holly Karr
2018 for 2019 Registration Valentina Hall, Julie Williams
2019 for 2020 Registration Michael Shane Harrison, Jane Kreitzer
2021 for 2022 Registration Debbie Wachs, Mary Newport
2022 for 2023 Registration Mary McCreery, Kathy Mansell
2023 for 2024 Registration Mona Hartzler, Robin Warren
Ambassador Awards
In August 2014, the Ambassador Status Award was established. This award gives the board the discretion to recognize members who have gone over and above year after year to further the mission and purpose of the guild.
Ambassador Awards
August 2, 2014 Jena Baumgarten, Marilyn Margrave
August 1, 2015 Mary Ann Allen, Doris Hynes
August 6, 2016 Mona Hartzler
August 5, 2017 Susan Brandon
August 4, 2018 Jan Oberlag
August 3, 2019 Sandy Hertel
August 6, 2022 Bev McKenna, Leanne Nielsen
August 5, 2023 Pam Watson
Distinctive Awards and Scholarships
Distinctive awards and scholarships can be provided by an individual(s) or by a guild to further the art of basketry through a special recognition. Anyone wishing to sponsor a distinctive scholarship or award at the annual convention please contact president-mbg@basketweavers.org for more information.
2008
Award in memory of Lillian Hoyt provided by Harold Hoyt. Winner: Joanne Howard
2009
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Southside Weavers Guild. Winner: Pat Walden
Award in memory of Jan Deal provided by Southside Weavers Guild. Winner: Onita Lynch
2010
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Weaving Fellowship Guild. Winner: Vivian Havenstrite
Award in memory of departed members provided by Southside Weavers Guild. Winner: Sheila Reece
2011
Award in memory of departed members provided by Southside Weavers Guild. Winner: Gayla Mayhugh
Award in memory of Sue Chatfield provided by Basket Buddies Guild. Winners: Karen Ferbezar and Mickey Sherman
Award in memory of Sue Chatfield provided by Matt Chatfield and Family. Winner: Sue Travis
Award in memory or Sue Chatfield provided by Norman Chatfield. Winner: Suzanne Proctor
2013
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Dave Sanders. Winners: Teresa Dooley, Susan Holiday, Cheryl Johner, Carmella Mongold and Edie Rombari
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Basketweavers Guild and and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Wilma Gilbert
Award in memory of Jo Ann Barnes provided by Lynn Touchette. Winner: Emily Brown
Award in memory of Sue Chatfield provided by Basket Buddies Guild. Seiichi Matsuda, Roxanne Miller and Diane Wilson
2014
Attendee Recognition provided by Marriott St. Louis West. Winners: Cheryl Johner and Jan Milanowski
First time Attendee recognition provided by Weaving Fellowship Guild. Winners: Elysa Cassey and Peg Johnston
Guild Leadership Recognition provided by Seiichi Matsuda and Ella Matsuda. Winners: Elaine Bidstup, Martha Kay Larsen, Marilyn Margrave and Jan Oberlag
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Dave Sanders. Winners: Kris Drenning, Benita Hendrickson, Martha Kay Larsen, Deanna Waddell and Sharon Watkins
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Basketweavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Lisa Francis
Award in memory of Sue Chatfield and Linda Kroencke provided by Basket Buddies Guild. Winners: Mary Alice Adams, Joan Meador and Marilyn Wayman
Teacher Recognition provided by Marriott St. Louis West. Winners: Mary & Jimmie McKenzie and Nathan Taylor
2015
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Dave Sanders. Winners: Charissa Harris, Beth Coulliette, Claire J. Patterson-McKinley, Cindy Harris, Mary Fannin
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Weaving Fellowship Guild. Winner: Joanie Meador
Award in honor of Founders of Weaving Fellowship Guild. Winner: Betty Buckley
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Vicki Hood
2016
Award in memory of Carol Sanders provided by Dave Sanders. Winners: Jennifer Murchin, Barb Wiler, Carol Winchester, Darra Beard, Bob Gleason.
Award for convention registration from Weaving Fellowship Guild. Winner: Carol Birdsell
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Sharon Watkins
2017
Award for convention registration from Weaving Fellowship Guild in memory of Carol Sanders. Winners: Laura Moore and Chad Travis
Gift Certificate to St. Louis Basketry Shop. Winner: Jan Oberlag
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Karen Ferbezar
2018
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Emily Brown
Woven Circle Guild 1st Time Student Attendee Scholarship. Winners: Gayle Gilliland, Theresa Olson, Rose Utley
2019
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Loyce Dumke
Woven Circle Guild 1st Time Student Attendee Scholarship. Winners: Deborah Jane Goff, Mina Bessey, Donna Hook
2021
Award in memory of Dorothy Pace provided by Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild and presented by Pat Walden. Winner: Jean Sherman
2022
Woven Circle Guild 1st Time Student Attendee Scholarship. Winners: Linda Fedarko, Kerry Strawn
Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild Award: Shirley Ziebold
Martha Kay Larsen Awards: Vicky Frayne, Roxy Kuipers, Dianne Crowl-Ventura, Cheryl Smith
2023
Woven Circle Guild 1st Time Student Attendee Scholarship. Winners: Melanie Kerton, Amelia Margrave, Annabelle Margrave
Ozark Mountain Weavers Guild Award: Patty Kilson
Lisa Nelson Scholarship in memory of her husband, Wendell Nelson: Mary Lee