ExCel scholarship applications are now available

Some of the students receiving ExCel grants for a variety of programs in 2011 gave a presentation to the Decorah Community School District Foundation Board recently. (First Row left to right): Claire Breitenstein, Liz Shroyer, Pearl Faldet, Lydia Hayes and Paul Sullivan. (Second row, left to right): Jacob Miller, Mitch Burggraf, Carolina Deifelt Streese and Lucas Blekeberg.

ExCel Endowment Fund grant applications are now available online at the Decorah Community School District's website at www.decorah.k12.ia.us for students in grades 6-11.  Click the "Scholarships" link on the home page to access the application.

ExCel is an arm of the Decorah Community School District Foundation and awards grants to students who are pursuing summer opportunities.  Depending on funding availability, priority is given to students attending programs in academic and technical fields, followed by those in fine arts.  Students currently in grades 6 through 11 and enrolled in the Decorah schools are eligible.  This includes students who are home-schooled but supervised by the DCS and students enrolled in St. Benedict Elementary School. 

Thanks to a generous donation from the Marion E. Jerome Foundation, this summer the ExCel committee will be able to help fund a greater than usual number of applicants.  Students are encouraged to "think outside the box" and look for academic and technical programs that they think would be interesting and challenging to them.

Current 6th through 11th grade students are invited to view the program criteria and application online.  Completed applications must be returned to the Central Administrative Office by Monday, April 30th.  Awards will be announced by the end of the week. 

Questions may be directed to Peggy Beatty, ExCel committee chairperson, at 382-2574 or pjhbeatty@gmail.com.  Anyone interested in making a donation to the ExCel fund may also contact Beatty.