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Riverside HS Foundation

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Riverside HS Foundation

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  • Home
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    • Scholarships
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    • 2022 Recipients
    • 2021 Recipients
    • 2020 Recipients
  • TouchPros Site
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    • 150th Year Gala
    • Teacher Grants
  • Newsletters
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Scholarships

Regardless of the size or duration, RUHS Foundation scholarships serve their intended purpose of recognizing the hard-work of recipients. Our goal is to honor them for listening to, learning from and showing respect to the adults in their lives; for taking advantage of extra-curricular activities; and for being actively engaged in their unique RUHS experiences. These students have successfully upheld the long-standing tradition of Riverside as a place of purposeful learning and high academic achievement. The scholarships are a small token of congratulations and celebration.

2025 Scholarship Application

Download and save the application. Once completely filled out, email application, essay and digital photo to ruhsfoundation@gmail.com

Application deadline - April 7, 2025

2025 Scholarship Application (pdf)

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2025 Scholarships

Brin Family Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the Brin Family. Scholarship Requirements: Must plan on attending a Wisconsin school. $3000.


Mike Drew Memorial Scholarship: Cathy Washabaugh, a retired RUHS journalism teacher, revitalized the school newspaper in the early 1990’s. Mike Drew, a local retired journalist, volunteered his time and mentored the newspaper students. Scholarship Requirements: Students with a 2.5 GPA planning to attend a Wisconsin college, university or 2-year college. Students should also have a plan for funding their education. Two individual scholarships at $2500. 


Foundation General Scholarship: The Riverside University High School Foundation was founded in 1997 by several school alumni. They were concerned that a lack of money for public schools was beginning to reach a crisis stage and was slowly eroding the extraordinary high quality of education at Riverside, which had always been a hallmark of the school since its founding in 1868 as Milwaukee’s very first public high school. The Foundation’s primary source of funds is individual contributions from Riverside alumni, retired staff and friends. Scholarship Requirements: Student with a 2.5 GPA, financial need, participation in school activities and community service. Amounts vary.


Jim Gibson Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the Foundation Board in memory of Jim Gibson, who worked tirelessly for the Foundation to provide scholarships for Riverside graduates and to improve Riverside. Jim was passionate about Riverside’s history and wrote a book entitled, RUHS: Milwaukee’s Oldest Public School, which chronicles Riverside’s 150 years of education. Scholarship Requirements: Student with  2.5 GPA and held a leadership role in the school and/or the community. Financial need, participation in school activities and community service will be considered. $2000


Pat &  Joan Kerns Scholarship:  This scholarship was established by Pat and Joan Kerns in memory of their fathers, Milton Kerns and Allan Polacheck. Both Pat and Joan and their fathers are graduates of Riverside. This $1500 scholarship is awarded to a senior who lettered in basketball. 

  

Mike Nowicki Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established to honor long-time swim coach and RUHS educator, Mike Nowicki. Scholarship Requirements: Must have been a member of the Swim team for two years and active in extra-curriculars. $1500


Sade Robinson Memorial Scholarship: This is a new scholarship to honor RUHS graduate Sade Robinson who was tragically killed in 2024. Scholarship Requirements: Must plan on attending a technical school. $1000


Scholar Athlete Scholarship: This scholarship was established by Mary Fowlkes, retired Physical Education teacher and Riverside alumnus. Scholarship Requirements: Must have participated in a RUHS athletic team, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and have done some community service.. $1000


Tabak Family Scholarship: This scholarship was established by alumnus Fred Tabak. Scholarship Requirements: Must be from a single parent household. $1000


Thornburg Scholarship: Dr. Mary Lou Thornburg is a 1954 graduate of Riverside. She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from UW-LaCrosse, a master’s from UNC-Greensboro, and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, all in the field of physical education. For 35 years she was a professor at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts and served as Dean of the School of Education. The Thornburg Fitness Center at Bridgewater is named after her. Scholarship Requirements: Students with a 2.5 GPA who plan to pursue a career in education. $1000.


Towerview Scholarship: This scholarship was established by Raman Ghei of Towerview, Inc. Scholarship Requirements: Student must have immigrated to the United States, have English as a second language and be the first-generation family member to attend college. $1000 


Waldner-Cornell Family Scholarship: Sue and Don Cornell’s four children graduated from Riverside during the 90’s. Sue was a teacher at Riverside for 20 years. Public service work such as, firefighting, teaching and police work are highly valued by this family.  Scholarship Requirements: Student must be planning a career in public service, have a 3.0 GPA and good attendance. Extra value placed on volunteer community service work during high school. $2000


Washabaugh Family & Friends Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the Washabaugh family. Scholarship Requirements: Must be planning on attending UWM. $3000 for first year, $2000 for second


Werner Family Scholarship: The Werner family has been a part of the Riverside community for many years. Gwen and Bill’s two sons attended Riverside. Gwen also serves on the Foundation’s board. The Werner Family members are long time supporters of public education and equal opportunity. The family makes donations every year so that this scholarship can benefit a deserving senior. Scholarship Requirements: 3.0 GPA with involvement in school activities and the community who demonstrates a financial need. $2500 renewable for four years


Tom Wild Legacy Scholarship: After his retirement in 2019, Mr. Wild established a scholarship. Mr. Wild taught Advanced Placement courses and advised the student council. He ran the ACT Testing Center at Riverside and chaperoned numerous college tours of historically black colleges. He did an excellent job of utilizing community organizations and nonprofit groups as resources for his students so they could see the importance of agency and active citizen participation. Mr. Wild’s Box City each year had students erecting cardboard shelters and spending the night outdoors in the school parking lot to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Eventually they raised enough money to build two homes. He implemented voter education and registration drives which became the blueprint for all MPS high schools. When he retired, Mr. Wild was honored by the Milwaukee Common Council, four members of which had been his students.  Scholarship Requirements: Student with a high academic achievement, student activity participation, community service and financial need. The student should be able to articulate the legacy they have passed on to RUHS. $2000.

Ongoing Scholarships for 2025

Bezella Family Scholarship: Many members of the Bezella Family attended Riverside High School. The family business was the Kellner Greenhouse on Humboldt Avenue, well known in Riverwest and on the east side. After graduating from Riverside, many went on to study and/or pursue careers in the sciences, including botany, zoology, nursing, and chemical and nuclear engineering. This scholarship is offered every four years. Scholarship Requirements: Must have an interest in pursuing studies and a career in science, technology, engineering, or math. One $5000 renewable scholarship for a four-year college or one $2000 renewable scholarship for a two-year college. 


Brin Family Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the Brin Family for a student  attending a Wisconsin school. Scholarship Recipient: Orion King - third year of $2500

Towerview Investment Incentive to Graduate Scholarship: Raman Ghei, president of Towerview Investment Company established this continuing scholarship for an ESL student who is an immigrant and first generation college student. The $1000 scholarship award will increase each year to total $10,000. Scholarship Recipients: Muhammed Ahmed - fourth year, $4000, Massimo Romito - second year, $2000


Washabaugh Family Scholarship: The Washabaugh Family are long-time supporters of the Foundation. Their scholarship supports a student attending a Wisconsin school for three semesters. Scholarship Recipients: J'Niah McAllister, $2500, Shaniah McAllister, $2500


Werner Family Scholarship: The Werner Family are also long-time supporters of the Foundation. They award a four year scholarship each year. Scholarship Recipients: Samira Perez '22, $2000, Jonathon Contreras '23, $2000

2024 Scholarship Application

Past Scholarships

Alumni, Community and In Memoriam Scholarships

  • Babbitz Family
  • Board of Directors
  • Computer Science by Alumni Scott Wisniewski
  • Joan Crisostomo
  • Ellen Hader Memorial
  • Larry Leonard Memorial
  • Quiles Brothers
  • Riverside Bookstore
  • Jack Rosenberg
  • Kate Windorski Memorial
  • Florence Yarney Memorial

Class Sponsored Scholarships

  • Class of 1961
  • Class of 1970 - 74
  • Class of 1991

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