The WCA
Scholarship
Program
The WCA Scholarship Program is designed to assist WCA members (or their partners or dependents) who are pursuing a university, technical college degree, or program certificate. FOUR scholarships are available.
WCA scholarships were established in October 1997 with two scholarships for $750.00 each. The James Boorman Sr. Memorial Scholarship for $500.00 was first awarded at WCA Conference in fall of 1997. In 2009, scholarships were raised to two $1000 and one $500 awarded. Beginning in 2023, an additional $500 scholarship was awarded for now a total of 4 scholarships. Scholarships are supported solely on product/memorabilia sales & the scholarship raffle held at WCA Conferences.
The 2026 scholarship process is now open and will close June 30, 2026. Recipients will be notified in writing and awards will be presented at the WCA Annual Training Conference on September 22, 2026, at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kari Ives.
PURPOSE
The WCA Scholarship Program is designed to assist WCA members (or their partners or dependents)
who are pursuing a university or technical college degree or program certificate. FOUR scholarships are available.
AMOUNT
Four scholarships are granted:
(1) TWO $1000 scholarships.
(2) TWO $500 scholarships.
Recipients must provide verification of enrollment in an accredited university or technical college.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicant must be a US Citizen
Applicant must be an active WCA member, member’s partner or member’s dependent.
Applicant must be pursuing (full or part time) graduate, undergraduate, technical degree or program certificate by September 1, 2026.
Applicant must be entering their freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year or graduate school.
First year students must have been officially accepted by the college/university they plan to attend.
APPLICATION
Applicants must complete the online application form, provide all required attachments, and submit the application package no later than June 30, 2026. Incomplete application packages will not be accepted for consideration.
SELECTION
The WCA Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients with approval by the WCA Executive Board of Directors. Criteria for selection will include: academic record, school, community or association activities, and the applicant’s statement of interest in and commitment to pursuing further education according to eligibility guidelines. Recipients will be notified in writing and awards will be presented at the WCA Annual Conference on September 22, 2026 at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
Apply or Nominate
Submit your application or nomination using the form below.
Past Recipients
2024 - Elijah Knutson $1,000; Millie Salinas $1,000; Erica Kedzierski $500; Corey Ludwig $500
2023 - Leila Delrow $1,000; Rakelle Schultz $1,000; Lacey Skime $500; Clara Stinson $500
2022 - Trina Kroening-Skime $1,000; Whitney Puetz $1,000; Max Wierenga $500
2021 - Matthew Bores $1,000; Hannah Losee $1,000; Alexandra Ballwanz $500
2020 - Zachary Boese $1,000; Zayla Mueller $1,000; Samuel Kiesner $500; Rachel Hicks $500
2019 - Katie Killian $1,000; Sylvia Staus $1,000; Madeline Hougaard $500
2018 - Meg Bryan $1,000; Chelsea Calhoon $500; Alexandra Ballwanz $500
2017 - Jaime Gunderson $1,000; Whitney Wierenga $500
2016 - Jason Brown $1000; Jennifer Coats $1000; Emma Larson $500
2015 - Matt Hicks $500 ; Aaron Lemke $1000; Gregg Rasske $1000
2014 - Ian Pomplin $1000; Rebecca Butkus $500
2013 - Nicole Dessloch $1000; Joshua Cypert $1000; Kayla Spaeth-Brunner $500
2012 – Emily Ruck $1,000; Charelle Brown $1,000.
2011 - Amber Salmon $1,000; Michael Cypert $1,000; Patricia Dye $500.
2010 - Renee Krause $1,000; Turkessa Hayes $1,000.
2009 - Alexandria Andrews $1,000; Candice Marshall $1,000; Peter Solomon $500.
2008 - Samantha Kraft $750; Wanda Schmidt $750; Chad Vossekuil $500
2007- Jessie Eisele $750; Kelsey Hanson $750; Amanda Hermans $500
2006 - Emily Bortz $750; Molly O’Keefe $750; Wanda Larsen $500
2005 - Heidi Bloyer $750; Christopher Reed-Waddell $750; Dustin O’Kane $500
2004- Amanda Nickel $750; Ryan Servais $750; Stacy Lischka $500
2003- Dallen Wilson $750; Jeremiah Winscher $750; Shirley Kislowski $500
2002- Cheryl Pagel-Grill $750; Shirley Kislewski $750; Rebecca Andraska $500
2001- Sandra Fleischman $750; Margaret A.Done $750; Kathryn Becker $500
2000- Amber Duerr $750; Corinne Kiedrowski $750; Tracy Alarado $500
1999- Peter Marik $750; Natalie Wohlfeil $750; Alecia Louis $500
1998 - Mary Kay Kollat $750; Angelia Slezak $750; Jeremiah Strauss $500
1997 First Awards- Brian Lukens $750; Becky Cascio $500--first James Boorman Sr. Memorial Scholarship