Pictured L to R: Row 1, Hannah Sidwell, Britney Walls, Harsh Patel, Claresa Ruholl, Elija Poston, Breanna Shull, Calvin Sudkamp. Row 2, Andrew Probst, Anna Thies, Weldon Dunston IV, Timothy Seiler, Sydney Nelson, Summer Wall, Sarah Hirtzel, Sara Zumbahlen. Row 3, Rachel Metcalf, Renesa Barrett, Oliva Regenhardt, Paul Huber, Oliver Lee, Morgan Hagler, Maria Poston, Makaylee Splechter. Row 4, Kristen Armstrong, Korina Hecht, Jennifer Bloemer, Jacqueline Niebrugge, Addysen Stortzum, Aiden Radloff, Olivia Spour, Ryan Rich, Amber Poe, Addie Cutright
(EFFINGHAM, Illinois – June 23, 2025) Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the Ray, Mary, and Tim Niebrugge Scholarship. Scholarships totaling $62,000 have been awarded to 38 high school seniors and graduates from high schools in Effingham County.
Altamont High School: Renesa Barrett, Hannah Sidwell, Makaylee Splechter,
Beecher City High School: Aidan Radloff
Dieterich High School: Addie Cutright, Sophia Niemerg, Amber Poe, Ryan Rich, Breanna Shull, Frances Waldhoff-Verdeyen
Effingham High School: Kristen Armstrong, Weldon Dunston IV, Adam Flack, Morgan Hagler, Korina Hecht, Sarah Hirtzel, Rachel Metcalf, Sydney Nelson, Harsh Patel, Olivia Regenhardt, Addysen Stortzum, Anna Thies, Britney Walls
St. Anthony High School: Addison Krouse, Jacqueline Niebrugge, Elijah Poston, Maria Poston, Timothy Seiler, Calvin Sudkamp
Teutopolis High School: Jennifer Bloemer, Paul Huber, Oliver Lee, Andrew Probst, Gavin Runde, Claresa Ruholl, Olivia Spour, Summer Wall, Sara Zumbahlen
The Ray, Mary and Tim Niebrugge Scholarship is open to all current students and alumni of high schools in Effingham County. It was established by Tim Niebrugge, the son of Ray and Mary Niebrugge of Green Creek. Ray Niebrugge inherited a tract of land from his father, John, and continued reinvesting in the farm for more than 40 years. Tim farmed the ground after his parents passed away until his own death on September 22, 2006. Tim was never married and had no children. Tim gifted the farm to help Effingham County students with financial need continue their education.
The fund has awarded over $632,000 in scholarships to students in Effingham County. The Fields of Opportunity program will ensure that scholarship funds will continue to be made in perpetuity.
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation manages more than 250 funds for the immediate and long-term benefit of communities in southeastern Illinois. For more information, contact Alex Pleasant, President/CEO of Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, at 217.342.4988 or alex@southeasternillinois.org.
