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.

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