Summer 2012 Foundation Newsletter

POLO COMMUNITY SCHOOL
FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Established 1992 http://www.polo222.org/dist/dsfoundation.html
Summer 2012
Improving Educational Opportunities Through Community Involvement
THE POLO FOUNDATION
Polo has a long-standing reputation for providing quality education for its students. Part of the
reason behind this tradition comes from a strong partnership between the parents, the schools
and the community. In these days of school consolidations and money troubles, Polo Community
School District continues to hold its own. And we have you and others to thank.
In 1992, the Foundation was formed with the goal of continuing this strong educational system.
This Foundation was created to provide opportunities that the District budget may not allow.
Please consider a donation to the Foundation as your gift to the Polo Schools.
The Polo Foundation is:
A tax exempt, non-profit corporation chartered in 1992.
Managed by a Board of Directors consisting of dedicated school district volunteers.
Operated independently from, but in cooperation with, the Polo Community School District.
Actively involved in raising funds from private and corporate sources which support scholarships
and enrichment programs throughout the District.
2011-12 POLO COMMUNTY SCHOOL FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
Current PCSF Board members are President Kyle Carlock, Shari Wakenight, Jonette Wood,
Becky Patterson, Cliff Bardell, Jamie Gorzny, Carrie Grobe, Sara Rowland and Kayla
Bergstrom. Jennifer Grobe serves as the Board of Education representative. If you are interested
in serving on the Board, please contact Chris Rademacher @ 1-815-946-3815 or crademacher@polo222.org.
18th ANNUAL POLO FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Polo School Foundation will host their 18th Annual Polo Foundation Golf Tournament on
August 18, 2012 at Edgewood Golf Course. The Tournament was originally created by the
Polo Rotary. However, the Polo Rotary disbanded in 2003. Last year’s event raised $5,000 for
the Polo Foundation. Forms can be obtained at: http://www.polo222.org/Pdf/Golf12.pdf or by
contacting Chris Rademacher @ 815-946-3815.

In Memory of Cathy Brown
February 2, 1949-July 6, 2012
Ms. Cathy Brown taught within the English Department at Polo Community High School for 28 years,
from August of 1984 until her retirement in May 2012. She earned her Bachelors of Science in English
Education from Northern Iowa Univesity and received her Masters of Science from National Louis University.
During her years at PCHS, she not only taught her future colleagues, but her children, Chris and
Brian, as well.
Cathy’s compassion for others, determination for life, and passion for teaching have had an immeasurable
impact on her colleagues, students, and friends. There was not a day that she walked down PCHS’s
halls without a kind word or smile for others. Her attitude during her
long, courageous battle with cancer was truly inspirational for those who
knew her.
Tara O’Connor and Tyler Shipman, two of Cathy’s students from the
Class of 2012, had written an excerpt for this news letter in regards to her
retirement, yet the letter is fitting in her memory:
―Before we became high schoolers, we had heard rumors about the legend,
Mrs. Brown—how she pushed her students to excel in their writing—how
freshmen should be apprehensive about having her for English.
However, we found Mrs. Brown to be an instrumental part in building our
passions for the written word. Mrs. Brown helped us grow as writers and
also prepared us for the world after high school. Coming from two students who are interested in pursuing
careers in journalism, we believe that what she taught us will serve us well in the future.
So, farewell Mrs. Brown. Having the opportunity to be taught by you is something that we will be endlessly
grateful for. PCHS and all of your past students will remember your lasting contribution and will
miss your presence within these walls.‖
By Sheila Donmeyer
Lucille & Pat Patterson Scholarship
Holly Scholl
2011 Local Scholarship Recipients
Luetta Johnson Scholarship
Allison Byrd
Polo School Foundation
Elizabeth Rada, Stephanie Merlak and Laura
Ford

Polo School Foundation
Laura Ford – Brad & Marlene Ford
Stephanie Merlak – Richard & Karen Merlak
Elizabeth Rada – Dennis & Cathy Christen
Betty McCaffrey Scholarship
Loryn Cox – Marty & Christie Cox
Brandon Imel – Aaron & Robin Imel
Shane Imel – Aaron & Robin Imel
Taylor Kessinger – John & Julie Kessinger
Randee Mennenga – Richard & Robin Mennenga
Elizabeth Rada - Dennis & Cathy Christen
Polo Lion’s Club
Taylor Kessinger – John & Julie Kessinger
Matthew Sullivan - Michael & Cindy Sullivan
Suits PC Scholarship
Lynae Merdian – Dennis & Karla Merdian
Howard W. Garrison – Music
Allison Byrd – Mike & Karla Byrd
Howard W. Garrison – Agriculture
Chad Stauffer – Elmer & Cindy Stauffer
Polo Education Association
Haley Collins – Michelle & Arnold Collins
Kyle Deets – Kevin & Janice Deets
Mackenzie Grenoble – John & Renee Grenoble
Brandon Imel – Aaron & Robin Imel
Shane Imel – Aaron & Robin Imel
Randee Mennenga – Richard & Robin Mennenga
Stephanie Merlak – Richard & Karen Merlak
Tyler Shipman - Janelle Shipman & Mike Cormier
Chad Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Allison Byrd – Mike & Karla Byrd
Polo Community High School’s
2012 Local Scholarship Recipients
Kyle Deets – Kevin & Janice Deets
Chad Stauffer – Elmer & Cindy Stauffer
Elly Wedin Erdman Scholarship
Haley Collins – Michelle & Arnold Collins
Randee Mennenga – Richard & Robin Mennenga
Jenkins Scholarship
Riley Gober – Mary Beth Gober
Chad Stauffer – Elmer & Cindy Stauffer
Patterson Scholarship
Holly Scholl – Mark & Kathy Scholl
Luetta Johnston Scholarship
Allison Byrd – Mike & Karla Byrd
Patrick Rademacher Scholarship
Andrew Harn – Mike & LeeAnn Harn
Bocker Grain, Inc. Scholarship
Keith Folkers – Brad & Jan Folkers
Bocker-Ruff, LLC Scholarship
David Livingston III – David & Renee Livingston
Justus Bartelt Scholarship
Megan Beers – Daryl & Sherri Beers
Burkardt Family Scholarship
Morgan Donaldson – Henry & Jennifer Grobe
Laura Ford – Brad & Marlene Ford
Mackenzie Grenoble – John & Renee Grenoble
Ashley Haye – Peggy Haye
Elizabeth Rada – Dennis & Cathy Christen
KSB Scholarship
Kyle Deets – Kevin & Janice Deets
Adee Scholarship
Chad Stauffer – Elmer & Cindy Stauffer
Betty McCaffrey Scholarship
Loryn Cox, Shane Imel, Brandon Imel, Randee Mennenga and Elizabeth Rada

THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
Through your generous donations in the past, the Foundation continues to enhance our children’s
educational experience. The Foundation’s investment portfolio now includes money-market accounts,
bonds, income mutual funds, variable annuities and more. The interest from these accounts
and your TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS enable us to fund many special requests for
our school children. You may:
___Make a gift of cash, check, securities, or personal property in any amount.
___Pledge a specified dollar amount with payments made monthly or annually.
___Designate gifts as a memorial to loved ones, living, or deceased.
___Bequest money in your will or trust.
___Name the Polo Community School Foundation as an insurance beneficiary.
___Specify a school (Centennial, Aplington, High School) or student in a particular field
(Medical, Education, Arts, etc.) to receive your donation.
___Please send me more information on setting up a scholarship fund. You can contact me
at: _____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Contributions can be made in person or by mail to: Polo Community School Foundation, Polo
Community Unit School District #222, 100 Union Avenue, Polo, IL 61064. (Return this section
with your donation, please.)
It is now the policy of the Foundation to publicize donor lists. Please indicate if you do not want
your name published.