History

In January of 1991, three local business leaders formed a committee to pursue their vision of creating a scholarship foundation for the Barron Area School District. Leonard Splett, a retired Almena dairyman; Wayne King, from the Barron Electric Coop, and Dr. Milton Krier, Superintendent of Schools, drafted the Articles of Incorporation for the proposed foundation. The first formal meeting of the newly formed Foundation was held on February 3, 1992. The Directors and Officers elected were:

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President - Robert Peterson, President of Bank of Barron, now known as Sterling Bank
Vice-President - David Vruwink, Barron High School Teacher
Secretary/Treasurer - Leonard Splett

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Fundraising efforts began immediately and by the end of 1993, the new Foundation had raised over $7,000 in funds. In 1994, the first scholarship was awarded for $300. Also in 1994, Cal Romsos joined the Foundation Board as Treasurer. He served the organization tirelessly until his passing in 2007.

 

One of the Foundation’s first fundraising activities was a spaghetti supper held in 1995 at the new Barron High School commons area. The event raised $400. Following that event, the Foundation began organizing an annual mailing to past graduates, which continues today as one of the Foundation’s largest single sources of funding.

 

What began with a single $300 scholarship in 1994 has grown significantly. In the past year alone, the Foundation awarded 84 scholarships totaling $157,500.