Vic Rail Scholarship Foundation announces scholarship winners

The board of directors of the Vic Rail Scholarship Foundation have announced the winners of the Vic Rail Scholarship Awards for 2020 in letters to the students.

Rail was a mathematics teacher at Fairfield High School. Rail's influence on his students was the prime reason for starting the scholarship foundation in his name in 1985.

The directors of the foundation have a wide range of knowledge and work experience such as farming, retail, industry and education. They all share the foundation's hope the awards will influence the recipients toward a successful career. The board lost one of its founding members last year, Art Hutton, a longtime teacher, coach, school board member and community leader. Art's passing left a void on the board that was hard to fill.

The award is given annually to graduating seniors who will or are studying in a mathematics-related field at the college of their choice.

Issac Jones was an award winner. Issac is the son of Brandy and Anthony Jones of Lockridge. Issac plans to attend Iowa State University pursuing a career in engineering.

Lilly Hoskins received an award. She is the daughter of Mindy and Brent Hoskins of Fairfield. Lilly plans to attend Iowa State University to become an elementary teacher.

Alicia Jane Ernst received an award. She is the daughter of Julie and Stephen Ernst of Fairfield. Alicia plans to attend Iowa State University to study graphic design and computer science.

Cabrina Chang also received an award. She is the daughter of Shu-LingLin and Chuan-Hsi Chang of Fairfield. Cabrina plans to attend The University of Iowa to become a cosmetics chemist

Kathryn McLain received an award. She is the daughter of Jennifer and Chuka McLain of Lockridge. Kathryn plans to attend The University of Northern Iowa to become a secondary education mathematics teacher. The amount awarded to all these students totals $6,000 this year.

This is the 34th year that these awards have been given at Fairfield High School, starting the year after Mr. Rail retired from teaching in 1985. A total of $86,250 has been awarded. The funds awarded come from the interest on investments. There are 35 active donors to the Foundation.