Scholarships

Members of the Thomas Jefferson High School Class of 1955 have donated funds to provide scholarship aid to a student who has shown academic improvement or has overcome significant odds.

Friends and family established the Robert Capel Memorial Scholarship in memory of Robert Capel, who was a long-time educator in the Council Bluffs Schools. His wife, Karen passed away in 2014 and was added to the scholarship memorial in 2015.

Mrs. Currie was a 1924 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. She was a first grade teacher in the Council Bluffs Schools from 1935 to 1941 and again from 1947 to 1971. During her 30-year tenure with the Council Bluffs Schools, she served children at Second Avenue, Dodge and Washington Elementary Schools.

Jacob Hemmingsen was a young and gifted aspiring musician, among his other creative assets. He lost his life while completing his senior studies in the Council Bluffs school district, the summer of 2008. His short life touched many around him with his musical and artistic talents. His friends and family established this scholarship in his loving memory to help further a young person’s education interest majoring in art or music.

Mother of Mr. Frank Halda. Frank wanted to honor his mother's memory by providing this scholarship from her estate for TJHS seniors entering the nursing field.

Gunn Elementary closed its doors after the end of the 2010/2011 school year. This scholarship was established by several Gunn faculty members in honor of the generations of Gunn families and faculty.

Paul & Eva Hamilton have established this scholarship in honor of their son Grant, who passed away much too early in his life. Our family, including children and grandchildren, attended & graduated from Council Bluffs Schools, where we all received a very fine education. We know that Grant would also have succeeded if he had had the opportunity of a good education. The Hamiltons want to do something for students who want to attend college in the field of accounting and do not have the means to do so. The Grant A. Hamilton Scholarship will start the higher education process for the individual selected.

Established by the TJHS Class of 1977 to support future graduates of Thomas Jefferson High School.

The TJHS Class of 1961 has established this scholarship in memory of their classmate. Randy never met a stranger. He served in Vietnam as a paratrooper, then came home and joined the trades union. He rose in rank to the position of National President.

This scholarship was established in honor of 4 generations of Thompson and Coziahr family members who attended Thomas Jefferson High School dating back to the first years of the school opening. Remaining members of the Thompson and Coziahr families are proud to call themselves Thomas Jefferson alumni, and wish to assist future Thomas Jefferson graduates with advancing their college and career pursuits through this scholarship.

This annual scholarship is provided as a memorial to longtime Cobra Optimist Club president Rich Bartholomew in honor of his commitment to providing opportunities to the youth of our community.

Kathy, or Mrs. B, worked at Thomas Jefferson for over 20 years. She was an avid fan of the TJ Jackets, Creighton Blue Jays and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

This scholarship was established in 1979 as the Class of 1929 celebrated their 50th class reunion. The class of 1979 invited the class of 1929 to be their guests for a day at the then new Abraham Lincoln High School. A special relationship was forged. Their combined efforts created this scholarship fund.

Friends and family established the Robert Capel Memorial Scholarship in memory of Robert Capel, who was a long-time educator in the Council Bluffs Schools. His wife, Karen passed away in 2014 and was added to the scholarship memorial in 2015.

Mrs. Currie was a 1924 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. She was a first grade teacher in the Council Bluffs Schools from 1935 to 1941 and again from 1947 to 1971. During her 30-year tenure with the Council Bluffs Schools, she served children at Second Avenue, Dodge and Washington Elementary Schools.

This scholarship, which was created by Hall of Fame and National Honor Society members, is awarded annually to a graduating NHS senior from ALHS.

This scholarship, which was created by Hall of Fame and National Honor Society members, is awarded annually to a graduating NHS senior from ALHS.

This scholarship is to be used for one or more students each year. The scholarship may be used at any college chosen by the recipient. The students will be selected by the principal of the school and/or a scholarship committee selected by the principal.

Seth Hills graduated from Abraham Lincoln in 1939 and served as an English teacher at ALHS for 16 years. As a memorial, students, faculty and friends contributed to a scholarship fund.

This scholarship was created by Bianca McComb, an English teacher in memory of herself and of her father, John McComb, a mathematics teacher.

Michael Miller was a student who graduated in 1977. He drowned in a swimming accident 2 weeks after graduating. He played football, basketball & baseball and was co-recipient of the Roy Lawson Male Athlete of the Year Award. Michael had outstanding character and was kind to everyone.

Henry graduated from Council Bluffs High School in 1903 and Laura May, his wife, in 1909. Mr. Peterson was a practicing attorney in Council Bluffs from 1908 until his appointment as a Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court in 1955. One of his great interests locally was in public education, having served as a member and president of the Council Bluffs School Board. Because of personal physical limitations he had a deep interest and concern in those with physical handicaps and he served as member and president for many years of the Pottawattamie County Crippled Children’s Society. His wife shared this interest with him.

Mrs. Joyce Schoeppner and Ms. Diane Ostrowski originally established this scholarship in the spring of 2000 in the memory of their beloved husband and father. Mr. Schoeppner was a social studies teacher and guidance counselor at Abraham Lincoln High School for 37 years. He exhibited dedication to his work and true concern for young people every day. Mrs. Schoeppner was a high school English teacher who was devoted to educating students and encouraging them to further their post high school education and training.

This scholarship was established by Bernice Smith who wanted to leave money for “needy students” attending Abraham Lincoln. Bernice graduated from A.L. in 1929, and Harold graduated in 1931. Their son, Robert, graduated in the class of 1951.

This scholarship was established in 1981 from the estate of Arelene Denton Chapp. Ms. Chapp was an educator who taught in Wyoming, Illinois and at the old McMillan School and Hoover School in Council Bluffs. During World War II she worked with the U.S.O. and after her retirement, she worked as a volunteer in the Veteran’s Hospital, and was active in the retired teachers association, the American Legion Auxiliary and the First Presbyterian Church.

This scholarship was established to honor Torrance (Ted) Supernois who was born in Elgin, Oregon in 1898. He moved to Council Bluffs as a youth and attended school. He served with the US Marine Corp in World War I. He played semi-pro baseball for a number of years with various Omaha and area teams in the 1920’s-1930’s. He generally was a pitcher but was also a good hitter. He met his wife, Jennie, when his team played in North Dakota. They married and lived their lives in Council Bluffs. Torrance also played semi-pro basketball during this same time period. When he got older and was no longer playing, he coached American Legion high school baseball for many years.

Donald Scheibler, better known as “Scheib” devoted 41 years of his life to teaching Latin & English at Abraham Lincoln High School. Former students & colleagues remember him as a great teacher and friend. Scheib had a real passion for kids. He cared about their learning both in and out of the classroom, and brought humor to those around him.

Jacob Hemmingsen was a young and gifted aspiring musician, among his other creative assets. He lost his life while completing his senior studies in the Council Bluffs school district, the summer of 2008. His short life touched many around him with his musical and artistic talents. His friends and family established this scholarship in his loving memory to help further a young person’s education interest majoring in art or music.

Established by the Class of 1958 ALHS Alumni.

Mrs. Sivey set up a scholarship fund for students of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson High Schools, with a scholarship awarded alternating years to each school. Mrs. Sivey lived her adult life in Council Bluffs. She was a homemaker who had an interest in the education of Council Bluffs students and the welfare of young people. Scholarship alternates between TJHS and ALHS, with ALHS being awarded in even years and TJHS awarded in odd years.

Steve From provides a scholarship each year to the top math student in honor of his mother.

Merrill Tronson served Council Bluffs Schools first as a Special Needs teacher at Kirn Middle School. He then served many years as guidance counselor at Washington and, primarily, Longfellow Elementary. He loved helping students.

Carol Murray attended Abraham Lincoln high school and then taught senior English at ALHS for 33 Years. She passed away after her fight with cancer in August of 2009. Her aunt, Nadine Pavik, initiated this scholarship in Carol’s honor. Nadine passed away in March, 2017.

Alyce Rosemary (Wilmes) Waldmann is an ALHS graduate who devoted her life to her nursing career.

Richard & Phyllis Hendrix, together, set aside funds in their will to establish a scholarship at several metro area high schools, including Abraham Lincoln in Council Bluffs.

Kathy was a very proud alumni of Abraham Lincoln High School. All 6 of her children graduated from there and she went to support many academic and athletic events. Through every season of her life she encouraged and challenged those around her to excel and always be your best. Never forgetting how far positivity can take you.

Lawrence Adkins graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and was a teacher in the Council Bluffs Community Schools at Hoover, Longfellow and Peterson Elementary. Lawrence was a gentleman who placed a very high value on education and was passionate about teaching his students. He was truly a very successful person who contributed a great deal to his professional community.

This scholarship was established in memory of Sheri Kay Suden, beloved sister and daughter whose life was tragically cut short in 1995. Sheri attended Abraham Lincoln High School and was truly a loving, generous, compassionate and beautiful individual. She was an avid swimmer and a friend to many and will always be recognized for her ability to bring out the best in others and laughter & joy to any room she enters. Sheri’s family would like to keep her memory prominent through the award of this Scholarship.

Larry Argersinger devoted 36 years to teaching PE and Health at Abraham Lincoln High School, leaving an unforgettable mark on countless students and fellow school staff during that time. His passion for education and athletics was contagious. As a longtime track and field coach, Larry nurtured talent and instilled lessons of discipline, teamwork and perseverance.