Letter to the Editor: Funds sought to expand Haenfler scholarship

What did Ed and Pauline Haenfler mean to you? This would seem to be a question for the older generation of Plainsmen. If enough money is raised, it could be a question that future generations of Plainsmen could answer.

For some of us, the answer was Ed Haenfler coached our dads to Grant’s first state football championship in 1948. For his son, Alan, it meant he was going to be the center on the football team, not one of the popular backfield positions. For my dad (Jack Barry), Ed was the teacher and coach that got him through school.

To honor Ed and his wife Pauline, my family has donated a portion of our dad’s memorial funds to this scholarship. I ask you to consider this opportunity to do the same and donate in honor of these hometown heroes.

During a recent visit with Alan, he commented his mom and his dad were both dedicated to education. The Ed and Pauline Haenfler Educational Scholarship seems fitting for this reason. 

Educators make a difference—Ed and Pauline made a difference to this community. A scholarship in their name seems like a good way to forever say THANK YOU. Another Ed and/or Pauline might be roaming the halls of PCS right now.

A scholarship fund, in honor of Ed and Pauline Haenfler, has been established with the Perkins County Schools Foundation. The goal is to establish an annual or perpetuating scholarship.

A minimum of $10,000 must be raised for a perpetuating scholarship. This is a common minimum amount and would allow for a $300-500 dollar scholarship to be given each year (depending on the interest raised over the course of the year) long into the future.

If the goal of $10,000 is not reached, an annual scholarship will be given at the rate of $300 to $500 a year until the fund is depleted.

This scholarship would be awarded on a yearly basis to a Perkins County High School graduate (male, female or both) who is planning on entering the field of education.

Approximately $1,000 is the current account balance. A deadline of Dec. 31, 2019 has been established for this scholarship fund drive.

Donation checks can be made payable to the Perkins County Schools Foundation and sent to:

Perkins County Schools Foundation Attn: Michaela Potts 740 Sherman Ave. Grant, NE 69140. Please note Haenfler Scholarship in the memo area of the check.

If you have any questions, please contact me at mibarry173@gmail.com or (402) 369-2354. Thank you in advance for making a difference.

Mike Barry

Wayne, Neb.