Greater Jefferson County Foundation Scholarship Series - Part 4

[This is Fourth in a series of informative articles regarding the scholarships available from The Greater Jefferson County Foundation.]

The Karlena “Dub” Thoma scholarship was created by her friend, Margaret Henderson in 1998. This friendship was kindled more than 50 years ago. Mrs. Henderson was a retired school teacher and counselor in the Portland, OR school system and met Karlena Thoma in 1946, when Thoma was assigned as her ‘big sister’ in teaching after leaving the WAVES where she served in WWII.

Thoma was born and raised in Fairfield, and taught school in Hyannis, MS and Portland and then returned to Fairfield to create the Gamrath & Thoma Insurance Agency, a forerunner of Gamrath/Doyle. Thoma was with the agency from 1948-1970 when she sold her interest and moved to Portland to pursue a real estate career and other business opportunities. Although she left Fairfield in her retirement years, Fairfield never left her. Ms. Thoma died in Portland on December 20, 2000, and in interned in Evergreen Cemetery.

This scholarship is for a graduating female (preferably) FHS senior, who will be attending a four-year college or university with excellent math skills.

The Jefferson County Pork Producers created a scholarship in 1998 for the children of members of the Pork Producers. In 2014, the JCPP amended the criterion to include children, parents or family members in Pork Production. This scholarship is $1,000.00 annually and is for a graduating senior of either FHS or Pekin studying Agriculture or Ag/Business.

Carl R. and Mary G. Zillman were lifelong Fairfield residents and Carl served on the Jefferson County Conservation Board since 1975. In 1981, the Zillmans donated a sizeable Native American artifact collection to the Jefferson County Conservation Board that is currently on display at the Nature Center. In addition, the Zillmans donated land known as Zillman’s Hickory Hills.

In 1994, Carl R. and Mary G. Zillman created their Conservation Scholarship for an FHS graduating senior residing in Jefferson County. The criterion of this scholarship is that the recipient should indicate a sincere interest in the fields of conservation, wildlife management, or studies related to our ecology of environment. In addition, the student should show financial need and attend a college or university outside of Jefferson County.

The 2025 scholarship application process will begin December 1, 2024 with a deadline of February 1, 2025. Both FHS and Pekin senior students are welcome to apply. Online applications will be available on the application website at www.gjcfscholarships.org. For more information, contact the Foundation at gjcf0758@windstream.net or call 641-472-0758.