It’s graduation season! Across southwest Minnesota, communities are celebrating. And our fund partners are investing in students’ dreams and goals through local scholarship programs. We currently host 10 dedicated scholarship funds as well as many others that provide scholarships in addition to funding other projects. One of our scholarship funds is the Kristi Elaine Teigen Memorial Scholarship, launched in 2010 to support Jackson County Central (JCC) High School graduates.
Kristi Teigen graduated from Jackson High School in 1972. She went on to earn a degree in animal science, graduating with honors from the University of Minnesota. Kristi had a zest for life and pursued many adventures. Alongside her husband, Gary Hoffman, she went skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing and sky diving. On Feb. 3, 1991, a tragic accident killed Kristi, Gary, and fellow skydivers who were flying over Osceola, Wis.
To honor Kristi’s memory, her parents, Douglas and Audrey Teigen, and her siblings Cindy, Kari and Tom established the Kristi Elaine Teigen Memorial Scholarship through the Jackson Area Community Foundation (JACF). The scholarship helps graduates who value and enjoy learning like Kristi did to pursue their dreams and find their place in the world.
Scholarship ‘a vote of confidence’
Since the first Kristi Elaine Teigen Memorial Scholarship awards were made in 2010, the JACF has disbursed $208,230 in scholarships. Recent recipients Morgan Preuss and Ashlyn Bohl shared how the funding has helped them:
“This scholarship is not just financial support; it’s a vote of confidence in my potential and a life-changing opportunity. I promise to work hard, to learn, to grow, and to use my education to make a positive difference in the world. Thank you for believing in me and for investing in my future. I am forever grateful,” said Morgan, who enrolled at the University of Sioux Falls after graduating from Jackson County Central.
“Being a former recipient of the Kristie Elaine Tiegen Scholarship during my first two years of college has truly been a blessing. … I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support—it’s made a lasting impact on my educational journey and brought me one step closer to achieving my dream career,” said Ashlyn, who is attending South Dakota State University.
Foundation invests in community
Luke Ewald recently became the advisory board chair for the Jackson Area Community Foundation, which oversees the annual scholarship awards.
“I was drawn to the Jackson Community Foundation Board because it provides a great opportunity to be part of a committee that focuses on enhancing healthy, active lifestyles for all ages, placing a value on youth, and celebrating community diversity in Jackson,” Luke said. “Having an opportunity to give back and help individuals and organizations implement a project helps make Jackson a community where folks want to live, learn, work, play, worship, and age in place.”
Since inception, JACF and its related funds have collectively awarded more than $532,378 to support local organizations, community projects and JCC students.
Give Where You Live
Our network of 31 community foundations supports passionate people with the resources to make positive change. A team of local advisory board members guides each community foundation by fundraising, recommending grants, telling stories of good work happening locally and promoting their town.
Support your local community foundation or another fund that benefits a cause you care about close to home. See a full list of our partner funds in southwest Minnesota.
“As parents, seeing our child receive the Kristie Elaine Tiegen Scholarship was both emotional and inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder that our community truly values education and is committed to helping young people succeed with their dreams. We’re so grateful for the encouragement and investment in their future.”
Andrea & Jason Bohl, Parents of Kristi Elaine Teigen Memorial Scholarship Recipient
