CLASS OF 1964 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
​The Knoxville High School Class of 1964 has established a new Endowed Scholarship. The KHS Class of 1964 joins the KHS graduating classes of 1961, 1966, 1971 and 1991 who now offer endowed scholarships. Endowed scholarships, once established, require no further contributions and provide a scholarship annually of at least $600 for perpetuity.
The members of the Class of 1964 have been actively involved in offering scholarships through the Foundation since 2014. Their scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors whose parents, grandparents or great grandparents were members of the graduating class of 1964. To date the class has awarded sixteen scholarships.
This year the class decided to make a final fund-raising push to reach the endowed status. A KHS Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship will now be awarded annually to KHS graduating seniors or to KHS graduates entering their second, third or fourth year of post-secondary education with no further contributions required.
Congratulations to the members of the Knoxville High School Class of 1964. Your commitment to helping future generations of KHS graduates pursue their dreams is to be applauded. GO PANTHERS!
If you would like more information about you or your graduating class can help our Knoxville High School graduates, visit the Foundation website at kpsfoundation.org or contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-891-7170. You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com.
HUGH AND DOROTHY TEMPLETON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
A new endowed scholarship has been established by the Hugh and Dorothy Templeton family through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation.
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The Hugh A and Dorothy B Templeton Memorial Scholarship will be offered annually to a Knoxville High School graduate entering their third or fourth year of study at Iowa State University.
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Hugh and Dorothy Templeton were life-long residents of rural Marion County who farmed in Red Rock and Union Townships. Hugh was a Knoxville High School graduate and Dorothy a Pleasantville High School graduate. Both held deep commitments to family, to honesty, to conservation and to learning.
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Hugh served multiple terms and was president of the Boards of Education of both Red Rock County School as well as the Knoxville Community School District. For years, Dorothy nightly reviewed lessons with their children, Jane, Martha, Joseph, Alice and Mark, all of whom are grateful for their parent’s love, examples and sacrifices. And, yes, all five are Knoxville High School graduates.
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Dorothy, particularly, would have loved to attend Iowa State University after high school but was financially unable to do so. The Hugh A. and Dorothy B. Templeton Memorial Scholarship endowment will help others fulfill her unfulfilled educational dream.
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If you would like more information about how you can help our KHS graduates reach their educational dreams, visit the Foundation website at kpsfoundation.org or contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-891-7170. You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats by email at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com.
DICK DARNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Board of Directors of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce a new scholarship to be offered to Knoxville High School graduates. The family of Dick Darnell has recently established the Dick Darnell Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a female graduate who is pursuing post-secondary education in the field of Science/Medicine or Education.
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Dick graduated from KHS in 1963 and went on to marry the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Carme-who is also a Knoxville graduate. Their two daughters are also KHS graduates, Linda (1988) and Suzie (1993).
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Dick and Carme were Knoxville business owners for over 50 years. They were owners/operators of Darnell's DX, 2 Coin Op laundromats, a U-Haul rental company, and LTD Auto Sales. Dick also operated Hayes Wrecker service before retiring. They were a hard-working couple who always encouraged their children to pursue education. Dick encouraged his kid to: "work hard to get an education so you have more options than I did to make a living without skinning your knuckles".
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It is the Darnell’s family hope that this scholarship will help make the pursuit of the dreams of Knoxville High School graduates a little easier.
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If you would like more information about the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation, visit the Foundation website at kpsfoundation.org. You may also contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-891-7170. You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com
ROGER AND LINDA BROOKS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
A new endowed scholarship has been established by Roger and Linda Brooks. This new endowed scholarship will be offered annually through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation with preference given to Knoxville High School graduates entering their third or fourth year of post-secondary education in the fields of engineering, medical science or education. Additional consideration will be given to students entering a trade school or pursuing a career in an agriculture related field.
Roger is a 1962 Knoxville High School graduate and attended Grand View University and Iowa State University. Linda grew up in North Carolina. They were married in 1983 and lived in Cedar Falls where Roger was employed as an engineer at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works where he worked in product engineering, field service, and manufacturing engineering, which included a seven-week work assignment in China supervising tractor assembly. Linda established Brooks Tax Service in Cedar Falls and then relocated that business to Knoxville until 2017.
Roger retired in 1999 after a thirty-three-year career with John Deere. In 2002 Linda and Roger returned to Knoxville where they currently live on the Brooks Family farm. They both enjoy sprint car racing, either live or televised.
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Roger and Linda have been long term supporters of education. Linda is currently an active member of Knoxville’s P.E.O. Chapter M and an officer of the Knoxville Federated Garden Club. Linda is also a member of the Red Hat Society. Roger is a member of the Marion County Historical Society and has served on the Board of Directors for twenty years. He is also an active member of the Draggins Car Club.
This is the second endowed scholarship offered by Roger and Linda. The Brooks family has taken advantage of a tax-free transfer of funds from Roger’s IRA to fund this new scholarship.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 made some significant changes in the U.S. tax code. One of the most significant for most Americans was an increase in the standard deduction for singles and married couples, $14,600 for singles and married filing separately, $21,900 for heads of household, and $29.200 for married couple filing jointly and surviving spouse. . As a result, unless your charitable donations exceed the standard deduction amount you are allowed, your charitable contributions no longer provide a tax break.
For those of you who are required to take a minimum distribution from your IRA, making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a smart strategy that allows you to get a financial benefit from your charitable contributions and still take your full standard deduction.
A QCD allows you to transfer as much as $100,000 annually from your IRA directly to a charity such as the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation. The amount you donate counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) and reduces the taxable amount of your IRA distribution. You lower your adjusted growth income and taxable income without reducing the amount of your standard deduction.
To fund an endowed scholarship through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation as Roger and Linda have done, using a lump sum of $15,000 or a series of donations over a period of years that total $15,000 as qualified charitable distributions from your IRA is an excellent way to fund an endowed scholarship that will provide financial aid to Knoxville High School graduates for generations to come. Also, keep in mind that this strategy can be used to fund scholarships of smaller amounts as well.
This article isn’t intended to give tax advice, however, if you believe this strategy might work for you, contact your tax advisor and contact the KPS Foundation for help we can give concerning setting up a contribution strategy for you and your family.
For more information contact Board President Curt Froyen at 641-891-7170 or at irishsciguy@hotmail.com. Visit the Foundation website at kpsfoundation.org for news, scholarship information, and donation possibilities. You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com
RICK ROBERTS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED BY SUNDANCE REALTY​
The Board of Directors of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation is announcing the new Rick Roberts Memorial Scholarship presented by Sundance Realty.
Ryan and Sara Roberts are the owners of Sundance Realty in Knoxville. Ryan is a 1992 graduate of Knoxville High School and Sara is a 1996 graduate of Interstate 35 Highschool. They have 3 children; RJ, Reese, and Regan. RJ is a 2019 graduate of KHS and Reese is a 2023 graduate of KHS. Their youngest son Regan will graduate in 2026. Ryan's parents are also KHS graduates and longtime Panther supporters. They have named the scholarship after Ryan's dad, Rick Roberts. Rick had a passion for our community and the Knoxville Panthers. The Roberts family are firm believers in giving others a hand up and believe in the wonderful work the Knoxville Scholarship Foundation is doing to help our students become positive forces in the world. As owners of Sundance Realty, Ryan and Sara firmly believe in giving back to the community that supports their business and are proud to be able to present this scholarship.
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If you are interested in learning how you can provide financial assistance to our KHS graduates through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation, visit our website at kpsfoundation.org or contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-8917170.You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com.
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Pictured: Kenzie Olson, RJ Roberts, Sara Roberts, Regan Roberts, Reese Roberts, Brayden Gilbert, Ryan Roberts
HARV AND CONNIE SPRAFKA FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP​
The Board of Directors of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation are pleased to announce a new scholarship to be offered to Knoxville High School graduates through the Scholarship Foundation. This new scholarship is funded by the family of Harv and Connie Sprafka.
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Post-secondary education and lifelong learning are an important part of the Sprafka family. Harv graduated in 1965 from Detroit Lakes High School in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with an English major and History minor in 1969 from Minnesota State University - Moorhead. Connie graduated from Wellington High School in 1961 at Wellington, Ohio. Academically, she was second in her graduating class. She did college coursework at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, and Central College in Pella. So, not surprisingly, they've now started a scholarship that can positively affect a student as he/she embarks on their educational pursuits and pursue professional dreams and goals. Additionally, the couple has been active in volunteering and participating on projects at St. Anthony Catholic Church and within our community.
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Harv is well-acquainted with the many positives of the Knoxville Community School District. For sixteen years, 1977 - 1993, he served the school system as the Knoxville Police Department's school liaison officer. "It was an honor and privilege to serve and assist its dedicated faculty, administrators, support staff, and, most importantly, its talented students.
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In reflection of his thirty years in law enforcement, he said, "Next to my ten years as Knoxville's police chief, I found my sixteen years with the school district very rewarding."
Harv and Connie have four adult children who were the beneficiaries of the educational assets of the Knoxville school system. They were well-prepared to take on the challenges of their college studies!
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Their son, Dan Mika, Class of 1982, received his teaching degree in environmental science from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Dan and his wife, Vickie, are now retired, after more than thirty years teaching in the Mexico, Missouri School District. He taught environmental science at its junior high school. Dan credits his junior high school science teacher, Lloyd Phillips, as a major influence in his chosen career. Dan and Vickie have two adult children.
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Dan's sister, Dawn Mika Bunch, a member of the 1984 Class, is married to Steve Bunch. Following her high school graduation, Dawn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa. She then earned her MBA from Drake University. Since 1988, when she graduated from UNI, Dawn has enjoyed a highly successful career at Pella Corporation. In addition to her career achievements, Dawn has been an active participant in several volunteer projects professionally and in the Knoxville Community. Dawn has three children who graduated from the Knoxville Senior High School.
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Amber Sprafka Hauschildt, a member of the Class of 1996, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History and a minor in Religion from the University of Iowa. She was employed for several years at Tek Systems in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since 2010 Amber has been working in the Human Resources Department with Wells Fargo in Des Moines. Travis and Amber Hauschildt have two elementary-aged school children. Harv and Connie's youngest daughter, Kristin Jensen, is a member of the Knoxville Class of 1997. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Iowa State University. Following her graduation from the Ames school, Kristin was employed at Principal Financial Group. Presently, however, Kristin is a stay-at-home mom for her four children.
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Harv and Connie are very proud of their children and their successes in college and chosen careers. Credit, of course, is due in a large part to the teachers and learning opportunities provided by the Knoxville Community School District.
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The Sprafka family sincerely wishes the recipient of our family scholarship great success in their college endeavors and chosen career.
If you are interested in learning how you can support our KHS graduates as they pursue their post-secondary dreams, visit the Foundation website at kpsfoundation.org or contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-891-7170. You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com.
TOM KADING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Board of Directors of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce that the friends and family of Tom Kading have established the Tom Kading Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a Knoxville High School graduate pursuing post-secondary education in skilled trades.
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Tom graduated from Knoxville High School in 1961 and began working with the Army Corps of Engineers as a surveyor. During his forty-year career with the Corps, Tom eventually worked his way up to Supervisor of Maintenance. He married Pat, his high school sweetheart, in 1964 and spent a 60-year honeymoon with his “favorite wife”. Pat is a 1964 KHS graduate. Their son Scott graduated from KHS in 1985 and their daughter Kris is a member of the KHS class of 1989.
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Tom loved working with his hands. He was an exceptional carpenter and mechanic and a grounds keeper extraordinaire. He always had time to help others and was active in the Celebrate Church community, Booster Club, Alumni Association and as an Easter Bunny apprentice.
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The Kading family has always placed a premium on finding ways to use a person’s unique abilities to help others. Perhaps that is why it was Tom’s wish to have a scholarship
to help encourage Knoxville High School graduates to pursue a profession in the skilled trades.​​
The Kading family would like to thank the many friends who have made this scholarship possible. Your generosity will help a new generation of Knoxville High School graduates pursue their dreams. God Bless!
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If you would like information how you can help our graduates through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation, visit our website at kpsfoundation.org or contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-891-7170. You may also contact Board Vice-President Michael Moats at kpsfoundation04@gmail.com.
WILLIAM BARNETT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The William Barnett Memorial Scholarship has been established through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation. This scholarship will be offered annually to a Knoxville High School graduate pursuing a career in business administration, accounting or criminal justice.
This scholarship is funded by members of the Knoxville Hogh School Class of 1993 and by family and friends.
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William Paul Barnett was born on July 29, 1974, to Thomas Paul Barnett, Jr. and Alonna Marie Bailey Barnett in Oskaloosa, Iowa. William was welcomed home by a sister, Tamara Marie Harrington.
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William attended Knoxville Schools, graduating from Knoxville High School in 1993. In Junior High and High School, he participated in FHA, Football, Wrestling, Mock Trial and Golf. William was an important part of the Knoxville High School Conference Champion and State Tournament volleyball teams from 1990-1992. He kept records for the team, recorded games and practices and helped with scouting reports for the Knoxville Volleyball team.
William was selected to the National Honor Society in both his junior and senior years in high school. The Knoxville American Legion Post selected him to attend Boys State at Camp Dodge, Iowa during the summer following his junior year. William graduated mid-term his senior year and was honored to be selected as a page in the Iowa Senate in Des Moines, Iowa.
William left Knoxville in the fall of 1993 to attend the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. He graduated in 1997 with a BS Degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting and minor in criminal justice.
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William and his friends so enjoyed going to the Bailey Farm where his grandmother cooked for them.
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William lived in South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi before moving back to Iowa in 2014. William was a diehard Dallas Cowboy fan.
In 2018 he became campaign manager for Jon Thorup, an American politician and law enforcement officer. Jon was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives 28th district in November 2018.
At the time of his passing, it was William’s and his families’ wish that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can help our Knoxville High School graduates pursue their post-secondary education dreams through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation, visit the Foundation website at kpsfoundation.org. You may also contact Board President Curt Froyen by email at irishsciguy@hotmail.com or by phone at 641-891-7170.
LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
What an exciting year this has been for the Foundation. We were able to offer several new scholarships and the average financial awards for our Knoxville High School graduates continue to grow. Our donors provided $181,000 in financial aid this year, nearly ten times the amount that was awarded in our first year in 2004.
Your support has been essential to our success in helping our graduates pursue their dreams. With the ever-increasing cost of tuition in addition to the rising cost of books, fees and room and board, your continued support is even more important. I hope you will always keep our Foundationin mind as you consider how to allocate the funds you have available to support the causes dear to your heart. You may use the donation card included with this newsletter, donate by using the donation button on our website at kpsfoundation.org or send your donation to KPS Foundation at P O Box 302 Knoxville, IA. 50138.
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Please note that you can now donate by scanning the Venmo QR Code on the donation card or on our website. Consider sharing this newsletter with family and friends.
While most of our scholarship applicants continue to pursue a traditional four-year post-secondary degree, we continue to see an increase in the number of KHS graduates pursuing trade school apprenticeships and associates degrees. Our graduates are reacting to a changing educationalenvironment as they fill the increasing need for skilled trades and specialized training that does not require a university degree.
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​​Additionally, the goal of the Board this year was to put special attention to the long-term sustainability of the Foundation. Six new members were added to the Board this year. They represent a new generation of Knoxville residents who continue to share the goals upon which the Foundation was formed: to provide financial assistance to KHS graduates as they pursue their post-secondary education. Each area of responsibility is now being covered by at least two Board members, ensuring a smooth transition should a member need to be replaced due to changes in their life’s activities.
Four of our Board members serve in positions for the Knoxville Community School District that automatically make them members of the Board. Tracy Wilkins is the High School Principal, Traci Lee and Doug Hatch are the high school counselors and Tyler Pearson is the Career Readiness Coordinator. Their knowledge of the students’ educational goals and financial needs is essential as the Foundation strives to meet the needs of our graduates.
Brief profiles of our Board members who are not District employees are listed here. These individuals come from a broad range of the community and offer a diverse background of experience. What they share is a lifelong commitment to community service and a desire to help our graduates pursue their post-secondary educational opportunities.
CURT FROYEN is the Board President of the Foundation. He has served on the Board for the past 22 years. Following his years of service as a Navy Officer, he spent 25 years as a biology teacher in the Knoxville School system. Curt is Commander of Knoxville’s American Legion Post, serves on the County Veteran’s Service Board and is an active volunteer for veterans with Hospice. Curt and his wife Kathy live on their farm south of Knoxville. Kathy spent 40 years as a teacher prior to her retirement in 2011. Their daughters, Anne (1998) and Laura (2002), are Knoxville High School graduates and live with their families, in Madison, Wisconsin.
KEVIN CRAWFORD is a founding board member of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation. He has been involved in literally all aspects of the Foundation over the years including serving as President and Secretary. Kevin was the KHS principal for 17 years until his retirement in 2014.
He is past president of the Knoxville Rotary Club and involved in many committees at the United Methodist Church and has served as chairperson of the Montgomery Street Preschool. Kevin’s children are all graduates of KHS—Matt (2001), Brian (2003), and Amy (2007). Kevin’s wife, Lesa,
worked at Northstar Elementary and Heartland AEA until her retirement in 2023.
MARY KEEFER has served on the Foundation Board for 20 years. Mary was a math teacher in the Knoxville district for 33 years and a substitute teacher after retirement for 8 years. Mary and her husband Mike have two sons, both KHS graduates, Matt (2001) and Kenny (2003). Mike has
also served as a coach and as an associate in the school district’s reading counts program. Mary serves on the Foundation Scholarship Committee and handles correspondence with donors. She is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame Board and is very active in St. Anthony’s church activities
and numerous women’s organizations. She and Mike have dedicated their lives to the youth of this community.
DAWN RANKIN is the Co- Treasurer for the Foundation. She joined the board in that role in 2013. Dawn is a Simpson College graduate with a B.A. in Accounting and a minor in computer science. Dawn has been active in North Star PTO, Knoxville Booster Club, and a member of the Knoxville
School Board. Dawn has served on the Marion County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and is currently serving her second term on the Knoxville City Council. Dawn is the Chief Financial Officer of Iowa State Bank in Des Moines, IA. She and her husband Mike, who is retired from
3M, live in Knoxville. Their son Dylan, a 2006 KHS graduate and a 2010 Simpson graduate, is vice-president of the Knoxville School Board, and coaches varsity boys’ soccer and basketball.
ANDY ADAMCIK joined the Foundation Board in 2017 and has served as marketing manager for Weiler since 2013. He has worked in motorsports, including managing the short track racing programs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. Andy met his wife Beth (Agan),
KHS class of 1994, through the motorsport’s community. Andy, a Dallas, Texas native, received his degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University in 1995. Andy and Beth live in Knoxville with their daughter Layne.
MIKE ROBERTS grew up on a farm south of Knoxville and is a 1984 KHS graduate. He is actively involved in the sprint car industry and owns Knoxville Today and Roberts & Associates. Mike is also involved in Rotary and is a Mason at Gavel Lodge #61 and a Noble at the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine
in Altoona. He and his wife Dana have a daughter, Samantha, a 2014 KHS graduate and three grandchildren enrolled in our school district. Dana and Samantha are both employed at Knoxville Hospital.
DENISE DEAVER (KHS 1985) and her husband, Dennis (KHS 1975) are both Knoxville alumni. Denise has been employed by Knoxville Community School District since 2006, handling payroll and accounts payable/receivable. Denise also volunteers for Meals on Wheels. Denise has serve as
the co-treasurer with the Foundation for two years.
KEVIN STITTSWORTH returned to the Foundation board last year after serving from 2008-2011. A 1991 Knoxville graduate, Kevin is Development Manager for Many Hands, a mission organization that creates long-term sustainable change in Haiti. He currently serves on the 100+ Men Red
Rock leadership team and is a founding member and Past President of the Knoxville Alumni Association Board. Kevin has recorded two piano albums. He is a former president of the Knoxville Chamber Board, a former member of Knoxville Rotary, and co-organized the annual Knoxville Prayer Walk.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS IN 2024
MICHAEL MOATS is vice president of the Foundation. He farms south of Knoxville where he lives with his wife Jacque. Their three children are Panther alumni and were recipients of scholarships from the Foundation. They have all graduated from college, married, started families and have
chosen to live and work near Knoxville. Michael graduated from Knoxville in 1991 and returned as an educator and coach from 1997 to 2012. He served one term on the Knoxville school board and is a Soil and Water Commissioner for Marion County.
JENNIFER (ROOZEBOOM) SCHMIDT graduated with Honors from KHC class of 1985. She went on to graduate from University of Northern Iowa with a double major in Business Management - Finance and Spanish. Following graduation from UNI, Jennifer went to work for Dun &
Bradstreet and will celebrate 35 years there next year. Her current role is Strategic Client Director where she manages the sales relationships with Fortune 500 financial services companies. Outside of work, she is an elder at Celebrate Church, Treasurer of Knoxville Alumni Association/
SOS and mother to Isaac Schmidt, a 2021 KHS graduate. Isaac is a senior at Iowa State University majoring in Supply Chain Management. Isaac has received KPSF scholarship awards each year of his post-secondary education.
JILL SHERWOOD SHEESLEY is a 1987 KHS graduate and has spent her career working in various areas of Information Technology including software development, data management, social media marketing, application support and web design. Jill and her family have recently moved
back to Knoxville and plan to use their talents to work and serve in the community. Along with her role on the Foundation Board, Jill is a member of the Save Our Stadium committee, the Knoxville Federated Garden Club, volunteers for the First United Methodist Church “Cooking 4 A Cause”
and monthly resident activities at Westridge Specialty Care.
SARA ROBERTS graduated from the Interstate 35 school district and met her husband Ryan, a 1992 KHS graduate, while in college. Ryan and Sara moved to Knoxville in 1999 and have raised 3 children here; 2 of them are Knoxville graduates with the youngest graduating in 2026. Sara
is currently President of the Rotary Club of Knoxville and Chairperson of the Marion County Development Commission. She is past President of Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. Sara and her husband Ryan own and operate Sundance Realty in Knoxville and opened a 2nd location in Pleasant
Hill in 2022. Sara and Ryan take pride in their community and support many local organizations and youth programs.
BRAD CROSSETT is a 1980 KHS graduate. Brad and his wife Lisa have 5 children who have all graduated from KHS and were all recipients of scholarships from the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation. Brad owned and operated a Hardware Store in Knoxville for 20 years. Brad and
Lisa have helped with several community organizations and committees and Brad has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board. Lisa also serves as a volunteer on several Foundation committees.
KEVIN WADLE (KHS Class of 1989) and his wife, JENNIFER (KHS Class of 1991) have been part of the community since moving back to Knoxville in 1997 where they’ve raised three KHS alumni. Alex (2016) is a middle school math teacher in Graettinger, Iowa, Sam (2019) is a high school math teacher in Washington, Iowa, and Abby (2022) is in her third year at Iowa State University majoring in event management. All three were grateful recipients of KPSF scholarships. Kevin is a CPA and financial advisor in Knoxville, as well as the coach of the KHS boys’ tennis program. Jennifer is a Physician Assistant practicing Rheumatology at Pella Medical Clinic in Pella, Iowa.
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​Caleb and Megan Moore Hall are proud Knoxville Panther graduates, Megan graduated in 2018 and Caleb in 2019. Megan continued her education at Iowa State University, where she majored in Agronomy. She earned her degree in the fall of 2021 and began her career at Eocene Environmental Group as a lead agronomist. In this role, she manages a team dedicated to providing on-farm sustainability reporting for producers across the United States. Her team’s efforts help producers understand their operations, assess risks, and plan for future generations.
Caleb graduated in 2019 and pursued an apprenticeship with Elder Cooperation in Des Moines. In 2022, he completed his apprenticeship and became a journeyman heavy equipment operator. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, Caleb has hired on with Elder Corporation and continues in their employment.
Caleb, the son of Richard and Tracy Hall and Megan, the daughter of Blair and Dolly Moore, were united in marriage on November 16, 2024 and recently purchased their first home in Knoxville.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT PROFILES: CALEB AND MEGAN MOORE HALL
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Caleb and Megan stated, “Purchasing a home in Knoxville was a fitting choice given the support we have received from our family and friends over the years. At just 24 years old, we could only afford our home thanks in part to the generous donors of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation. We each received scholarships from the Foundation during our four years of post-secondary education. The support of the donors to the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation helped us to graduate debt-free, enabling us to move forward and start our own family.
"One day, we hope to give back to the next generation of students. We hope to help future graduates, whether they choose to enter a trade or pursue higher education, just as the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation supported us. The Foundation’s impact on our lives was truly
transformative.”
CREATIVE LANDSCAPING SCHOLARSHIP
The Board of Directors of the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce an additional scholarship will be awarded in 2025 by Creative Landscaping of Knoxville. This business, run by Bob and Teri Hardman and their son Ryan, has been providing a scholarship to Knoxville High School graduates for the past five years. The Hardman’s have recently decided to offer an additional scholarship each year beginning in 2025.
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Bob and Teri purchased Creative Landscaping in 2006 from Jerry and Jay Weldon. For the past eighteen years they have provided landscaping services such as seeding, sodding, tiling, construction of retaining walls and placement of patio pavers. Creative Landscaping alsoprovides exceptional lawn care including, mowing, fertilizing and weed control.​
Ryan is a 2004 Knoxville High School graduate who has been actively involved in the business since graduating from high school. Bob and Teri’s daughter, Aubrey is a 2006 KHS graduate who is involved in the business as a bookkeeper.
Over the years, the Hardman family has been actively involved with the youth in our community. Bob has been active in Boy Scouts and, along with his son Ryan, have served as Hunter safety instructors. They work with youth through the Marion County Sportsman’s Club.
Ryan currently serves as the coach for the Knoxville High School Shooting Club and is employed as a school bus driver.
When asked why the Hardman family is involved with providing scholarships for our graduates, Bob said, “Our family has always done whatever we could to help with the youth in our community. We have been active in supporting our school organizations and sport teams over the years. Providing scholarships through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation is just another way we feel we can help our students as they pursue their future dreams.”
CHUCK GALEAZZI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP​
The Chuck Galeazzi Memorial Scholarship has been established to honor his life of service to our community. This new scholarship will be offered through the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation.
Chuck had a huge heart and a broad vision about what it meant to be a good neighbor and a Samaritan. For decades, he opened doors to the poor and vulnerable citizens of Knoxville and surrounding communities. He answered phone calls at all hours, mopped floors, begged for holiday turkeys, hauled donations from far and wide in his old truck and offered hugs to folks in their toughest times.
Nearly every shirt he owned bore his manta of HOPE- “Help Other People Every Day.” Chuck always did whatever it took to help others. He and his friend, David Costello, started “Hope Builders”, a ministry for the poor and homeless people of Des Moines. They spent endless hours building dwellings and shelters for the homeless.
Chuck volunteered for 25 years coaching Peewee baseball, organizing and spearheading various community projects, including the construction of Auld Park, the Skate Park and more. His passion was to help people in need out of his deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chuck graduated from KHS in 1963 and his wife Elaine with the class of 1975. Their sons, Tim, Tony, Troy, Ty, Chaz and Jay are all KHS graduates.
“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” Mathhew 25:35.
The Chuck Galeazzi Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a Knoxville High School graduate whose activities and volunteer service exemplifies Chuck’s mantra of “Help Other People Every Day.”
BILL AND CELIA BURGER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
The Bill and Celia Burger family have been making annual contributions as part of their Required Minimum Distribution for the past several years.
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Both Bill and Celia’s families modeled and instilled the importance of valuing and serving in their communities. In that spirit Bill and Celia have focused much of their giving and volunteerism on education, libraries, equity and community service over their 64 years of marriage.
Remembering their roots, the Burgers have supported elementary education over the past few years by establishing three endowed scholarships in honor of Celia’s mother, Sarah Harvey. This year they completed donations toward a fourth endowed scholarship, the Bill and Celia Burger Family Scholarship. Celia’s mother had a long teaching career in Marion County rural schools and in schools in the cities of Pella and Knoxville. The Burgers believe that education is fundamental in a democracy. Celia’s father Dwight Harvey served on the Knoxville School Board in the 1950s, as well.
Bill and Celia Burger graduated from Knoxville High School in 1956. Bill is the son of Betty and John Burger, and Celia is the daughter of Dwight and Sarah Harvey. After graduation, both attended Parsons College in Fairfield. In 1960, they were married in Knoxville at the First
United Methodist Church and started their marriage in Tipton, IA where Celia taught English, speech and drama while Bill attended law school at the University of Iowa.
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With their first child born in 1962, the family moved to Waterloo where Bill was employed as a trust officer at the National Bank of Waterloo and Celia continued her career as an elementary teacher there. She continued her education as their family increased in size and earned a master’s degree and Doctor of Education from UNI.
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While in Waterloo, Bill was president of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, was appointed by Governor Ray as Chairman of the Iowa Development Commission and served 17 years as a member of the Waterloo Library Board. Celia served as president of the Junor League and was a member of the Community Playhouse Board.
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In 1990 they moved to Iowa City when Bill was hired by a local bank which eventually became part of US Bank, NA. Bill finished his banking career in 2007 as local market president in the US Bank system. Celia was the assistant principal of West High School and then was selected as the principal of Weber Elementary in 1994. She finished her career as managing editor with a McGraw Hill company.
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Bill and Celia have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Bryce (Landscape Architect and Contractor) and Tracy are graduates of Iowa State University; Matthew and Gina (both United States Air Force 2-star Generals) graduated respectively from the USAF Academy, and from Penn State; Ben (Senior Partner in a Media Firm in Washington, D.C) and Susan are graduates of the University of Iowa; and Sarah (medical scheduler and receptionist for the Orthopedic Institute) is a graduate of Santa Fe Community College.