Nick Ganoe is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Fergus Falls Educators Scholarship. He attends Concordia College, Moorhead. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Stephanie Heidorn

"What light thru yonder window breaks" (Act 1, Scene 5) a line from the famous play, "Romeo and Juliet"; it is a line of discovery. Romeo is expressing his delight in finding his true love. It's funny how many things you can discover in one semester at college; the dorms, classes, friends, buildings, and food, all things that are familiar to me, but now I am on my own, free to do what I want. They all seem to have more meaning and I put more interest into them.

I went to college with the expectation of finding new friends but I never expected to find them within the first few days on campus. I arrived at school four days before the rest of my classmates did for Music Theory Boot Camp. This camp was designed to help students taking music theory classes. It was a ton of fun and a great experience! The final day of camp we put on a performance, which consisted of an opera that we wrote and music we composed. The camp helped me figure out where I should be placed in my music classes, and helped me find some of my closest friends.

One of the biggest highlights so far for me was being the assistant stage manager for the fall play of, "Romeo and Juliet." Time management became a huge challenge. I admit I'm not very good at managing my time well. It was a true test for me but I made it. I was able to keep up with all of my classes plus be part of one of the best plays I have ever seen. (Ok, maybe I’m biased.) Through this experience I learned a lot about the ins and outs of theater, but more importantly I learned a lot about myself. I learned to trust myself when making decisions and communicating these decisions to others. I learned that I need to work with others to help make a successful production. "True, I talk of dreams which are the children of an idle brain" (Act 1, Scene 4). Theater has allowed me to dream; I can only hope that I don’t have an idle brain too long as English Literature looms in my near future.

My classes themselves were a discovery! I would say my favorite and most challenging class was Acting 1. I felt since I had acting experience, I would not have any problems in this class. This was not the case. Though fun, I learned I needed to practice my skills more and to take criticism, which was not an easy task for me. In the remainder of my schedule, I learned that hard work and dedication, mixed with a healthy dose of procrastination can lead to a lot of sleepless nights and early mornings! This all adds up to 2+2=4, i before e except after c, pi=3.14, and that I really love going to Bethany Lutheran College.

This road to discovery would not have been possible if I hadn’t had help. First, I would like to thank God who is the one thing needful in my life. He is always there to catch me when I fall. Second, I would like to thank my family who is there to support me, always, no matter how crazy my decisions might be. I also would like to thank Bremer Bank and Dollars for Scholars who granted me a scholarship that has helped me to pursue my dream by attending college. I also would like to thank all of my teachers and coaches who gave me the knowledge and strength to be successful as I continue my education. Finally, I thank all of my friends who have helped to make this journey so fun to travel.

It has been a great road, this first semester of college. I have made many discoveries and I have met many friends. I have had fun learning to cope with being on my own. I know that my next semester of college will be full of new and exciting things to discover. I’m not sure where the Lord will lead me, but I know it will challenge and test me. Just like Romeo discovered his true love, I too have found true discovery, "High amid the trees," of Bethany Lutheran College. Thank You.

Stephanie Heidorn is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Bremer Bank Scholarship. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Kylie Boe

I always knew I was going to attend Minnesota State Community and Technical College. As a child I spent many years playing and watching basketball games in the MSCTC gym. I remember watching those games and the successes they had in regional and even national tournaments. I always wanted to play basketball with the "big kids"; they were my idols and I wanted to become one of them when I grew out of my Spartan Buddy days.

As my senior year and what seemed to be a short summer came to an end, my classmates and I headed our separate ways and went off to different colleges. Since I had already chosen to stay in town, I watched my friends pack up all their things and drive away. They were leaving Fergus and for a short while I envied them, but I knew I had made the right choice.

Orientation and the first day of school came. I was nervous but I knew things would be just fine. I had the impression that the community college would be just like high school, but after sitting through my first full day of classes I discovered that it was going to be different. My college days are a whole lot shorter but there is more work to be done. I like having all the freedom that I am graned at the college level. Now I am responsible for choosing the right course, making deadlines, and planning my future.

At the beginning of the fall semester, a small part of me wished I had gone off to a school outside of Fegus so I could have all the fun and excitement my friends were experiencing in their dorms. Now I understand just how lucky I am. Over the Thansgiving break, I enjoyed seeing and spending time with my friends and heard all about their campus life. The main topics of conversations involved: how gross their cafeteria food was, how uncomfortable their beds were, and how darn expensive everything is! I was thankful to still be at home. I am lucky to have a home-cooked meal and sleep in my own bed every night; I am able to keep my jobs and in the end I won't have such a large loan to repay.

I've come to realize that MSCTC is a great fit for me! So far I have gained an excellent education, and my instructors are very supportive and understanding. My choir director is fabulous and I have made so many new friends through the music department. I also got involved on campus by joining the golf team. I am thrilled to have become a Spartan and to be playing golf for a coach who was one of the basketball players I once looked up to. I have finally traded my Spartan buddy shirt in for the real thing!

Kylie Boe is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of a Dollars for Scholars Scholarship. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Josh Kugler

I am currently in my second semester at M State – Fergus Falls. It has been an enjoyable experience so far and I’m looking forward to what is in store for me. I chose to go there because of its location, cost, and the small-town culture. It’s been a blessing to not have to worry about the financial side of things thanks in large part to Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars and their willingness to give scholarships to students in the community.

I’m happy to say I haven’t skipped a class…yet, and that the teachers at M State have lived up to my expectations! They genuinely care about their students’ education and are willing to help them at any time. It’s especially nice to have this kind of support as a freshman. My long-term goal is to get a job in the Computer Science/Graphic Design field. For now, I’m taking general classes and will eventually transfer to a four year university as a junior where I will take classes specific to my major.

Although I don’t live on campus, it doesn’t seem like I’m out of the loop. I’ve met new people and I periodically see friends from high school. The atmosphere at M State is warm, making the experience all-the-more rewarding. It’s a very social campus…signs are posted around every corner, telling of upcoming activities and events. There’s always something to do! I have joined Phi Theta Kappa and am looking forward to helping out in the community.

I’m also involved in the Honors program offered there and have enjoyed getting to know other people’s thoughts on various subjects. Everyone in the program takes one class together per semester. We have learned about skepticism, ethics, and many other life applicable ideas…things I can take with me after graduation.

Thank you, Dollars for Scholars, for your continuing support of college-bound students. You have and continue to play a vital role in their lives. I’d especially like to thank ITT Corporation for being the benefactor of my scholarship. It has been a pleasure getting my education in Fergus Falls. This truly is an amazing town!

Josh Kugler is a 2008 graduate of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and was the recipient of the ITT Scholarship. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Kirby Case

My name is Kirby Case, and I have just started my second semester as a freshman at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. So far it has been such a life-changing experience, and I have loved every second of it! Lincoln is a great area with a downtown right off campus and lots of activities and opportunities. I can’t talk about UNL without mentioning the Husker games -which are amazing! I think any person who has been to a Husker game would agree when I say that everyone should experience at least one big red game at some point in their life. That is, if they want to make the seven hour trek down here.

My name is Kirby Case, and I have just started my second semester as a freshman at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. So far it has been such a life-changing experience, and I have loved every second of it! Lincoln is a great area with a downtown right off campus and lots of activities and opportunities. I can’t talk about UNL without mentioning the Husker games -which are amazing! I think any person who has been to a Husker game would agree when I say that everyone should experience at least one big red game at some point in their life. That is, if they want to make the seven hour trek down here.

Kirby Case is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Randolph "Duffy" Gerhardson Scholarship. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Brian Sawtell

As I took off for the big city last August, I had no idea what my new life at college would look like. I arrived at Bethel University in St. Paul and was instantly bombarded with new people, and activities that never seemed to stop. With all of this going on, I didn’t have time to take in what was happening to me. It wasn’t until Welcome Week was over that I truly realized that I was on my own. I had to decide how I was going to react to this new setting, and shape the new life I had ahead of me. It took a while to adjust, but once I did, I couldn’t get enough!

Classes are a lot different than anything I have ever had in previous education. At first, it was bizarre for me that I didn’t have a daily routine, and class was so different on a day-to-day basis. I have learned quickly how important the library is whenever I have "free" time away from class.

I have been studying in the field of Biology with hopes of someday attending the University of Minnesota Dental School to become a Dentist. It has been challenging, but I’ve found that with time management (and lack of sleep), it is achievable! It has been a great comfort for me to be at a Christian school, where faith is implemented into everything I learn. I know that God has a plan for me, and just knowing that makes me a whole lot less worried about what my future has in store for me!

Since college has started, I have met tons of great people, and learned more than I thought was possible in one semester. Between being invited to professors’ homes, and spending every waking moment with my new friends, I have built relationships that I feel will last a lifetime. Being that the College of Arts & Sciences at Bethel has only 3,000 full-time students, there is a great community feeling around campus. This community feeling reminds me a lot of the community I grew up in. I’m so glad that I grew up in Fergus Falls, where everyone knows everyone, and businesses all around the community are willing to help students just like me go to college with their generous donations to organizations such as Dollars for Scholars. I am truly grateful that I was privileged enough to receive the "Bank of the West Scholarship". Thank you Dollars for Scholars.

Brian Sawtell is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Bank of the West Scholarship. He attends Bethel University in St. Paul. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Erin Morstad

Before entering my freshman year of college 5 months ago, the only expectations I had for school were based on National Lampoon’s movies, tales from my older brother, and terrifying study stories from my parents. Needless to say I blocked out the stories from my o-so-wise parents and latched onto the hopes and dreams that my college experience would prove to be as entertaining as the thrills I had heard of.

Deciding on a college was no easy task for me, and I’ll tell you it was nearly World War 3 in my house for months before reaching a decision on a school. I had dreams of the east coast, big city living, exciting adventures far from home. My parents were more into the idea of another kid close to home. We finally reached a middle ground when I decided on the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. It was as far east as I could get while my parents could still pull off in-state tuition!

The school is one of very few institutions in the nation with a six year physical therapy program and has a great reputation for graduating its students on time with a good job outlook. CSS also gave me the opportunity to play basketball which was something I wasn’t ready to give up after the season I was fortunate enough to be a part of last year. It seemed Scholastica was the perfect fit for me. Turns out, so far, it has been.

I moved in a week early to participate in a community service project offered by the school. It was a good way to meet a few people before the hectic rush of orientation. Without the countless times my group was lost driving aimlessly in the city, I still wouldn’t know my way around! After my week of volunteering and the welcome weekend (a true treat, let me tell you) my classes started and I was off on the adventure that will shape the rest of my life. I was taking very basic classes in the first semester which turned out to be wise because, funny thing, I guess my parents weren’t lying when they told me you really have to work in college! On top of classes, fall basketball work-outs started the second day of school which meant I was already behind on the study time.

I somehow managed to get a grip on my schedule and I came out of my first semester alive and well evading Double Secret Probation. I have avoided the freshman 15 thanks to our always enjoyable conditioning sessions at basketball practice, and have only needed to call "AAA" twice for car trouble (although as I type this my car is illegally parked and won’t start…uh oh…) I have also managed to pick out my own laundry detergent, the cheap kind, and have become quite the expert on microwave cooking…watch out Rachel Ray-30 minute meals. Try 3 minute mac-n-cheese! Yes, the first semester here at CSS has been an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Everyday living has been an adventure and the education has been challenging and dare I say it, pleasant. My classes have stimulated my thinking and I’m learning more than I ever imagined.

Overall college has been everything I had hoped for and more. It’s been the crazy fun times with friends I will never forget, and it’s been the 6 hour cram sessions for the ensuing tests. There are the ups and downs like anything else, but it has been a journey that has made me a better student, athlete, and person and no doubt will only continue to improve my character. I want to thank Dollars for Scholars for everything it has done to help me accomplish my goals for college and for helping many other students like me as well. –Go Saints!

Erin Morstad is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Lake Region Healthcare Scholarship. She attends St. Scholastica in Duluth. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Amy Overgaard

I am now into my second semester of my freshman year at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. College has been a completely different experience from what I expected, but so far I have not been disappointed. When I was younger, I always imagined college as a place with old, ivy-covered buildings, large lecture halls, many thousands of students and as a place where coffee addictions were born. While the latter may be true, the others have not quite fulfilled my expectations. They have, however, turned out much better than I could have expected. I have found Northwestern to be a place where close relationships are cultivated, I recognize most of the people that cross my path, professors actually know my name and, as I said, a lot of coffee has been consumed.

It has been a growing experience to live on my own and discover more about myself through living with people outside of my family. While it was quite an adjustment, I have really enjoyed getting to know so many new people and making friendships that will last far beyond my four years here at school. I have been able to build on these friendships while watching movies on the weekends (and occasionally a weeknight), going to numerous coffee shops where I have spent far too much money, making Target runs for all the little necessities in life, and exploring the Twin Cities and its endless amounts of new places to discover. Being exposed to new things like eel sushi and bubble tea have bonded me together with my new friends.

I have also discovered, however, that some of the habits I formed in high school need to be broken. For example, procrastination has definitely cost me some much needed hours of sleep. I also need to work on doing my homework first, and worrying about my social life later, rather than spending all of my free time with friends and cramming my homework and studying in right before class. Yet all of these discoveries are helping me to find out more of who I am and where I can improve myself. And that's really what college is all about.

So far, college has been a learning and growing experience in so many aspects of my life, and I know that it will continue to be so. Being at college has presented me with so many unique opportunities, such as going to Trinidad over spring break on a missions trip. I am so excited to see what other opportunities I am presented with over my next three and a half years here that will challenge and mold me.

I'm not just at college to get a degree, and hopefully learn and experience things along the way. I want to learn as much as I can in the time that I have here, completely taking advantage of all the opportunities in front of me, and to get a degree as a by-product of my hard work, experiences and knowledge gained. I am looking forward to what my coming years of college will present me with.

I am very appreciative of the Edna Diedrich Hagen Scholarship I received last spring, and the help it has provided in paying for this life experience. Thank you to Dollars for Scholars for this wonderful gift.

Amy Overgaard is a 2008 graduate of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and was the recipient of the Edna Diedrich Hagen She attends Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. Scholarship. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Rachel Busko

The city of Morris, Minnesota may seem an odd place to find one's niche. At least, that was my first thought when I chose this nationally ranked liberal arts school as the place where I would begin acquiring my college education. In August, I moved into my tiny dorm and began experiencing life away from familiarity. I finally met the girl I had barely spoken to throughout the summer. Frankly, I was worried. I had never shared a room in my entire life and now I was planning to spend an entire year with this stranger. Luckily for me, my roommate is a wonderful person with a great respect for my personal space. We are not pursuing the same interests, but we find mutual enjoyment in our daily hour of wind ensemble rehearsal.

Wind ensemble is just one of my many musical activities at UMM. In addition to the courses required for my music major, I participated in concert choir, voice lessons, piano ensemble, and being an accompanist last semester. In these activities, I met many new and wonderful individuals who have become very close friends. When most people think of UMM, they think of jazz music and the world-renowned jazz bands. While I am not yet involved in any of the jazz bands at this time, I have gone to every concert and utilized my new swing-dancing skills at the Jazz Dance.

My favorite experience at the university is the cultural immersion that occurs when one opens up eyes and mind to new ideas and traditions. For instance, during the winter break, a friend of mine from China came home with me for ten days. She had never celebrated Christmas and was very excited to live with an American family during that special time. We fully exposed her to Minnesota winter festivities. She learned to snowshoe, snowball fight, make snow angels, and build snowmen, among other activities, even though we could tell she somewhat dreaded the bitter cold. In return, my family and I learned very basic Chinese phrases and asked her to write Chinese characters whenever possible. When we finally opened our gifts (a much anticipated moment for her), I saw tears in her eyes when she realized how much we had all come to care for her. She maintains a close connection with us; a connection which I do not believe will be broken even when she returns home.

Of course, I did not make it to Morris by myself. I had the unwavering support of family and friends in this endeavor. They may have raised their eyebrows in the beginning, but they never doubted my firm decision on this matter. I would like to thank them for all they have done for me and I know they will only continue to do more in the future. Also, I would like to send a great message of gratitude and appreciation to Dollars for Scholars and Service Food Market for their financial support, which enabled me to attend this wonderful institution. As I continue this fantastic journey, I hope to continue to grow in awareness of the world around me through engagement in academic, musical, and cultural experiences. I feel the acquisition of a broad and rigorous liberal arts education will help me to become an active participant in my community at a local level and beyond.

Rachel Busko is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Service Food Market Scholarship. She attends the University of Minnesota, Morris. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

This is another in a series of articles written by students who received scholarships in 2008 awarded through the Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars chapter. The purpose of these articles is to thank the community for its support of students and their higher education goals.

By Emily Westergard

Why did you choose Colorado? This question has been asked of me more times than I care to remember in the past year, and my real answer is really quite long so I try to make it short and simple: There are mountains and a Division I hockey team.

Of course, in reality there was more to my decision than that. Now, afterattending Colorado College for an entire semester, I have found even more new reasons as to why I chose this small, private school in the heart of beautiful Colorado Springs. My education there has been one that is very unique compared to many of my fellow FFHS graduates. Instead of having the dreaded "finals week," I simply have one class at a time; each class for three and a half weeks with a four day break in between. Focusing on one subject at a time does indeed take some time to get used to, but once adjusted, I can't imagine learning any other way. In each semester there are four blocks. Three of my four blocks this past semester were Russian. I had class for five to six hours a day, where no language was spoken other than Russian; there's simply no other way to describe it other than complete immersion. I also have gotten used to having small classes. In all three of my Russian courses there were only nine students. This enabled me to really get to know my fellow students, as well as my professors. With such small class sizes, we were able to do things that a lot of other schools aren't able to do. We took a "field trip" to the hot springs, about two hours away from Colorado Springs, where we swam and were lectured in Russian. We went on day hikes with our professor on the weekends where we would drill on Russian vocab. We would even go to his home for breakfast on special occasions. Overall, my learning experience at CC has greatly overstepped all of my expectations.

Of course when it comes to day-to-day changes that have occurred in my life since heading out to Colorado, the list really goes on and on. It's difficult being away from my parents, family, and friends, but at the same time I wouldn't have it any other way. Perhaps my biggest challenge was making time for the little things, and getting away from the books. It was difficult to find time for laundry, cleaning, exercising and still have time for me, but after a month or so I established a pretty good schedule. I've made it my daily habit to go for a long run after class. It's a great way to get away from campus and homework, clear my head, and enjoy a beautiful view of Pike's Peak. One thing that has been especially hard to adjust to is not having a car. Luckily, Colorado College is located in downtown Colorado Springs, so it is only a 7 block walk to a plethora of restaurants and coffee shops. Still, it is difficult to get to many things that Colorado has to offer, such as the many hiking trails and ski resorts. Though at first being on my own seemed complicated, it has all worked itself out.

I would like to thank Dollars for Scholars for helping me be able to attend my dream school and supporting me in every way possible. I'm so excited to see what my future at Colorado College will hold for me and the paths it will lead me down.

Emily Westergard is a 2008 graduate of Fergus Falls High School and was the recipient of the Betchel Memorial scholarship. She attends Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO. For information on making a donation for scholarships, contact Fergus Falls Area Dollars for Scholars, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.