This year, the number of individuals commemorated exceeded prior years, as did the dollars donated to the memorial awards, such that five seniors were able to be given the annual awards. Individuals receiving the 2021 awards are shown below, along with the college or university they plan to attend next year
The KASD Ed Foundation received a record number of donations in honor or memory of family and loved ones, allowing us to give five Memorial Awards at the Senior Awards Night ceremony on May 12, 2021.
On June 2, 2021, the Ed Foundation hosted a celebration recognizing this year’s Distinguished Alumni recipients. Family and friends of the Alumni were treated to a reception at the Setter Ridge Winery, Kutztown, which was also attended by KASD Administration, School Board and Education Foundation Board Members.
The Founder of the KASD Education Foundation, Dr. Brenda Winkler, our retiring Executive Director after 20 years was publicly recognized during the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Reception. Co-Founder Attorney Robert Grim provided commentary on Brenda’s initiative in creating the foundation’s first board, defining their original mission, and obtaining PA State Approval as one of only three Ed Foundations in Berks County at the time.
The Kutztown Area School District Education Foundation, now in its 20th year of service, held its annual meeting on January 7, 2021, when the Board approved the 2021 Distinguished Alumni of the year: Mr. Erik Oberholtzer, KAHS Class of 1986 and Major David W. Saul (U.S. Army Retired), KAHS Class of 1956, awarded posthumously.
Kutztown Area School District’s KT-Connect program is designed to provide home broadband access to limited income KASD families who do not currently have a home internet connection. The purpose is to support home digital connectivity for course interactions and course materials. Families must qualify as economically disadvantaged to be considered for the KT-Connect program.
The Blue & White Award was created in 2005. It is a foundation-managed award which was initially and continuously funded by The Cougar Tale and others, to recognize a senior who positively represents Kutztown Area High School. You too may help to support this award! Simply note “Blue & White Award” in the memo line of a future contribution to the Kutztown Area School District Education Foundation!
The Support-A-Scholar program began during the 2019-2020 school year when the school district created partnerships with Kutztown University and Reading Area Community College. Students taking dual enrollment courses receive discounted tuition and are able to focus on college-level material from KU and RACC. These credits are able to be transferred to many universities including Penn State, Temple, Bucknell, Millersville, to name a few.
The Imagination Library Book Gifting Program supplies free books to children ages 0 to 5 who are living in our community. This early reader program is funded through your donations to the KASD Education Foundation. You are able to directly support this important endeavor by noting “Innovative Projects: Free Books” on the memo line of a future donation.
This month, the KASD Education Foundation sent a message of congratulations to Kutztown Area High School in three “big ways”, posting billboards at two entry points to Kutztown, and a third on Route 78. The billboards share our sincere congratulations to the teachers, staff, and students of KAHS. They also convey to the general public the great educational experience that is available to residents of Kutztown, PA, and we want everyone to know!