by Abby Grafmyre
December 1, 2024
While the Greater Denfeld Foundation’s main goal is supporting graduates through scholarships, it also selects teachers, coaches, and staff who offer innovative ideas to Denfeld students receive a meaningful education and provides them with donations. In late November, the GDF announced which teachers would receive donations for the 2024-2025 school year.
These donations are a result of the Greater Denfeld Memorial Fund, which was founded with contributions from Harry Fisher and the Denfeld Class of 1955. The family of Steve Anderson is another generous contributor to this fund. Donations from the Memorial Fund provide teachers with funds for items not covered in regular budgets, allowing students to receive an enhanced educational experience. These most recent donations will go toward, among other things, a Pottery Wheel for the art department, a Journalism class, a German Reader Library, and Stream Study Equipment for the science department.
2023 Robotics donations being utilized by students
2024 Recipients include:
- Joshua Borchardt, Science Teacher
Careers in Forensics: $1,500 - Stephanie Brenning, Art Teacher
Stained Glass, Jewelry, & Weaving Class: $1,000 - Jessica Anderson, School Counselor
Auditorium equipment: $1,500 - Carrie Conley, Art Teacher
Ceramics Materials and Pottery Wheel: $1,000 - Scott Ellison, Special Education Teacher
Headphones for Learning: $500 - Ronda Elnes-Schepper, Develop Adapted PE Teacher
Limited Motion Inclusion Device: $794 - Hunter Hamby, Band Director
Keep Our Ukes Safe: $900 - April Howard, Check & Connect Mentor
Printer: $500 - Jill Lofald, Head Speech Coach
Denfeld Speech Team: $500 - Rachel Lofald, Choir Teacher & Auditorium Manager
Auditorium Projection Repair: $1,000 - Stacia Marsolek, PE Teacher
World Games: $750 - Kevin Michalicek, Science Teacher
Column Chromatography: $458 - Wade Petrich, Teacher
Journalism Class: $525 - Haley Pykkonen, Setting 3 DCD Teacher
DCD Setting 3: $475 - Nicole Scharte, German and Civics teacher
German Reader Library: $500 - Hailey Sigafus, Spanish Teacher
Look, I Can Talk!: $535 - Keely Waechter, Drama Advisor
One Act Festival: $1,000 - Alison Wood, Teacher
Stream Study Equipment Fall: $1,445
In total, $14,882 was allocated towards the success of Denfeld students for the 2024/2025 academic year, which will undoubtedly enable students to thrive and excel.
Since 1971, the Greater Denfeld Foundation has strived to support Duluth Denfeld High School students by providing awards and scholarships for their post-secondary education expenses, along with donations to staff to ensure students have access to a valuable and enriching educational experience.
Abby Grafmyre is a Hauge Scholarship who attends UMD, majoring in English, Communication, and Journalism.