Tara Gunnufson awarded Herb Kohl Initiative Scholarship
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Tara Gunnufson
By Amber Hayden
BOYCEVILLE — Tara Gunnufson, a senior at Boyceville High School, has received a $10,000 Initiative Scholarship from the Herb Kohl Foundation.
Tara is the only child of James Gunnufson.
Tara explained that high school counselor Karlene Berry had called her and asked her to answer a few questions about a scholarship.
“She told me she couldn’t tell me what it was for,” she explained. “I found out I had gotten the scholarship in early February after getting the email.”
Tara said that the scholarship is a huge stress relief for her as money is tight in her family, and it will help as she begins school in the fall at UW-Stout in the Pre-Applied Science department after receiving her acceptance letter in early January.
“My dad and my grandparents are really proud of me for getting it,” stated Gunnufson. “My friends are also happy for me and said I deserved the honor.”
She had debated going to Chippewa Valley Technical College for dental assistant, but after thinking on it she decided on Stout so she could become a dentist.
“I just think that teeth are fascinating,” she commented. “I didn’t think I could be a regular doctor though, it seems too gory.”
Gunnufson said her favorite classes she has taken are all science based and includes Anatomy, Sociology, AP Environmental, and Psychology.
Tara plans to enjoy the summer in between working for the local Cenex in Boyceville, and attending friends graduation parties.
Tara will be honored at the Herb Kohl Foundation’s 2020 Student, Teacher, and Principal luncheon in Eau Claire on Sunday, April 26, along with students and staff from CESAs 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
The foundation began in January of 1990 by Herb Kohl and to date the foundation has given out approximately $18.5 million in grants and scholarships to 7,670 people.
According to the website for the Herb Kohl Foundation, each year 100 graduating students are selected from public, religious, and independent schools throughout Wisconsin to receive the Initiative Scholarship.
The selection of schools is based on a seven year rotation cycle, which allows every high school in Wisconsin to receive the scholarship.
The intent of the scholarship is to help students who are putting forth an extraordinary effort and have overcome obstacles, but class rank is less likely to make them eligible for academic scholarships.
Students are chosen by the teachers and administrators for the scholarship.