2020 Edison Community & Sports Foundation Scholarship Winners
The Edison Community & Sports Foundation is proud to announce its 2020 Edison Scholarship recipients. The Foundation thanks Edison High School teachers and counselors for their help in identifying these seventeen remarkable Edison seniors. Each student demonstrates excellence in scholarship, school and community service and accomplishments in sports, leadership and citizenship. We wish them sincere congratulations as they move on to college life, and, join the ranks of Edison alumni.
Cecilia Lazarchic, Niles Schulz Scholarship $3000
Cecilia wants to be a teacher and will study elementary education at the University of Minnesota/Twin Cities. At Edison, theatre and music were important in making her high school experience meaningful and fun. She played soccer and participated in National Honor Society and the Edison High School Concert Band. Her volunteer activities include Morris Park Players and Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
Javonni Grimes, Niles Schulz Scholarship $3000
Javonni is an accomplished student. He will study science at Loyola University in Chicago, IL with a goal to enter medical school in the future. He was captain of three sports at Edison while involved in theatre, Junior Achievement, Voyager Leadership Program, Beacons, and other activities. He says, “I am a driven student, with a vision. If I dream small then where can I go, but if I dream big where can’t I go?”
Serena Poisson, Pete Guzy Scholarship $3000
Serena is a leader, an athlete and a scholar. She will begin her studies at Century College with plans to transfer to Augsburg to complete her bachelor’s degree. She is interested in the law and enjoys writing and contributing to the good of the community. At Edison, Serena has been involved as 2020 Class President, in Student Leadership Program, various volunteer activities and lettered in three sports
Ben Schneider, Pete Guzy Scholarship $3000
Ben is an excellent student and enjoys sports, music and theatre. He plans to attend Pomona College in Claremont, CA where he will study music. He participated in three sports, National Honor Society, seven theatre productions and Theatre Leadership Council at Edison. Ben has coached youth baseball and received awards for academics and sports, including the Yale Book Award and National Merit Commended Scholar.
Amy Dischinger, Guil Parsons Scholarship $2000
Amy wants to teach English, influenced by her connection with her teachers. She will begin college studies at Minneapolis College. Amy has been involved at Edison in National Honor Society, Band Council, Theatre Leadership Council and the golf and tennis teams. She’s passionate about music. She said, “Music has set a standard in my life to always collaborate, ask for help, and strive to learn more.”
Jorgen Olson, Guil Parsons Scholarship $2000
Jorgen plans to study biology at either Luther College in Decorah, IA or Ohio University in Athens, OH. At Edison, he has achieved academic success while participating in debate, theatre, Outdoor Club and on the golf team. His love of outdoors and animals drives his search for a career working in nature. He says, “Options may include national park ranger, conservationist…or zoologist.”
Gen Heywood, Lorraine Lindahl Scholarship $2000
Gen will attend Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. She’s not sure what she’ll study, but has interests in business, finance, psychology and the environment. At Edison, the National Honor Society influenced her; she made good friends and became involved in numerous community activities. She enjoyed Edison Entrepreneurs, Junior Achievement, theatre, track and being manager of the golf team.
Terreon Ryines, Art Solz Scholarship $2000
Terreon wants to create her own business. She plans to study business at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA. At Edison, she played volleyball and feels that the sport she loves helped her to develop leadership and communication skills. The game taught her to be responsible and to persevere when facing challenges. Terreon is involved at Feed My Starving Children.
Jovan Northington, Art Solz Scholarship $2000
Jovan loves football and plans to play at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Worthington, MN. He will study therapeutic recreation or exercise science, hoping to be a coach. At Edison, Jovan participated in three sports and was active in Beacons, Office of Black Male Student Achievement and theatre. He values the support he got from his coaches and teachers and wants to do the same for others.
Brian Gabino, Vazquez ECSF Scholarship $1000
Brian wants to be an entrepreneur businessman and own a hair/barbering salon. He plans to attend Minneapolis College to study business. His attitude of not giving up will help him succeed with his plan. In school, Brian participated on the Northeast Ski Team and the Edison Soccer Team. He was active in AVID and the Beacons program. Brian has held a variety of jobs while in school. He is a hard worker.
Victoria Clark, Frank Rog Scholarship $2000
Tori will study criminal justice and psychology at either Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL or Minnesota State University, Mankato. She intends to work in law enforcement, which has been an interest of hers since she was a small child. At Edison, she was involved in swimming, volleyball, theatre and Glee Club. Tori has an interest in art and enjoys painting and ceramics.
Amal Abdulahi, Larson Family Scholarship $1500
Amal wants to be a pilot and will study aviation at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She enjoyed playing tennis and badminton at Edison, and, participated in Beacons, Green Team and theatre. In the six years since Amal came to the USA, she has learned to read, write and speak English, and, mastered IB classes. “Being passionate about something will get you somewhere in life,” she’s learned.
McKenzie Martin, Mary Barbara Ferguson Scholarship $2000
Arts have influenced McKenzie’s life. She plans to study music education at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. At Edison, band was important to her and inspired her goal to become a band director. She made good friends in Edison’s theatre program. Before COVID19 changed life as we know it, McKenzie was preparing to direct her own play in May. She participated in Math Club and GSA.
Drew Gross, Sherry Gozola Crepeau Scholarship $2000
Drew will attend Augsburg University in Minneapolis and study English or Political Science. He wants to integrate his Native American background into journalism to inform the community about important issues. At Edison, theatre helped him develop interests in writing and reading. Drew participated in Upward Bound Vision Quest and AVID where he gained communication and leadership skills.
Emma Quale, Wes Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship $2000
In her future, Emma wants to focus on climate issues and human rights. She will attend the University of Minnesota/Twin Cities to study environmental science. She participated in theatre, tennis, golf, volleyball, choir and the Green Team at Edison. She is a leader and involved in the community through a food shelf, Minneapolis Climate Action, a compost initiative and Morris Park Theatre.
Eleanor Craig, Bernie Kunza Scholarship $2000
Eleanor likes to try new things and meet new people. She wants to study international relations and communications at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. She prides herself on being a dedicated student. Participation in sports developed her leadership and team-building skills. Eleanor was captain of the soccer team, ran cross country and track, was in band, theatre and Theatre Leadership Council.
Sahra Hussein, Larson Dental Scholarship $1000
Sahra wants to study neuroscience and psychology at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. She hopes to work in research or enter medical school. She enjoyed the diversity of Edison and was involved in Upward Bound, track and ski teams and Black Student Union. She said, “Through Upward Bound and IB, I gained motivation and encouraged myself … I became ambitious about my dreams and turned them into goals.”