Latest news with #RockfordParkDistrictFoundation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockford Park District Foundation awards scholarships to young female golfers
STILLMAN VALLEY, Ill. (WTVO) — Two teen golfers have been awarded scholarships recognizing the hard work of female golfers. Emma Pierson, who graduated from Belvidere High School, received the Jane Lyons Memorial Scholarship, while Amelia Dunseth, who just finished her high school career at Stillman Valley, was awarded the Helen Spencer Junior Girls Scholarship. Both scholarships were created to support young women for going to college with a passion for golf. As many as 15 recipients applied for both scholarships, which the Rockford Park District Foundation selected. Lori Berkes-Nelson, the director of the Rockford Park District Foundation, said, 'Jane loved golf. That was her life. And she really wanted to make sure that she could not only support girls in their pursuit of education, but we also receive a portion of her of her estate. Helen Spencer set up the scholarship last year.' 'It really does have a lot of, meaning behind it and meaning to the selection. because there's only, you know, two recipients, and so they do become like a family in some respects,' she continued. Pierson said she plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Crookston and play golf as well as basketball. 'It's something that, like, you have to be really dedicated to to earn this. Like, especially, as I said, I've been part of the Rockford Park district since I was nine years old. So it takes a lot of time, dedication and just effort in general,' she said. Dunseth will stay closer to home, and play at Rock Valley College this fall. 'This means a lot like it will for sure. Like I've applied for a few scholarships, but this was one that I really hoped I got, like, because golf related,' she said. Each girl won $25,000 from two different scholarship awards, so they can continue to play golf at the next level. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Veteran's memorial to be revamped thanks to Loves Park Super Bowl fundraiser
LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Super Bowl Sunday is all about the food, the drinks and the game, but one local bar is using it as a way to raise money for a popular memorial. Finnegan's Cottage held a fundraiser Sunday to raise funds for the Field of Honor, a memorial dedicated to veterans in the area. Bartender and Event Planner Theresa Heppler said the bar was expecting people to come for the game, and she figured it was a good chance to help raise money. 'If we're going to have a party, we need to do something,' Heppler said. Said 'We need to do something that's going to go towards something.' Heppler said the fundraiser was brought to the bar from people expressing their wants for the upkeeping of the park. 'The whole park itself was actually created based on citizens who came forward and wanted to honor veterans,' Executive Director for the Rockford Park District Foundation Lori Berkes-Nelson said. 'The fact that it was created with the donations of citizens and now we have a group that just comes forward and tells us they want to have this event and give the money for the care and maintenance of it is really amazing. It's just very heartening.' Berkes-Nelson said the upkeep will include normal lawn maintenance. She said it needs to be kept clean and tailored to for those who fought for our freedom. 'It's 30 years old now, and so it also is requiring a lot of maintenance for the for the base, the brick base and things,' Berkes-Nelson said. 'It does take a lot of upkeep, and we never want it to fall below a standard that that that would honor the those that served our country.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
