Scholarships |
Scholarships are provided by the Stanzel Family Foundation, Inc. The Foundation was established in 1989, by Joseph and Victor Stanzel, co-founders and owners of Victor Stanzel Co., a model aircraft toy manufacturing company located in Schulenburg. Their seventy years of entrepreneurial endeavors affirm the importance of hard work, dedication, honesty, integrity, and focused vision.
The first scholarships were awarded in 1991. Since that year, the foundation has awarded over 500 scholarships locally.
The first scholarships were awarded in 1991. Since that year, the foundation has awarded over 500 scholarships locally.
Stanzel Alumni Spotlight
The following statement was written by an Alumnus of the Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship: Roshaud Johnson.
"In life, you never know how things are going to come to fruition and become your future. However, I had an idea about what I wanted to be; I did not anticipate how difficult the path would be for me.
In ninth grade, I started at Weimar High School, and I was doing just enough to pass, nothing more and nothing less. While my classmates were ascending, my sophomore year was nothing different; my attitude towards school was the same, just get by. My family and I started to gear up for college. That is when I found out the importance of a GPA (Grade Point Average). I immediately saw the adverse effects of my “just get by attitude.” As a result, I had a discussion with my parents, who had gone to college to become a nurse and police officer. My parents knew the importance of college and wanted me to follow in their footsteps. My junior year, I decided that I wanted to go to college. I had three choices: Texas State University, Sam Houston State University, or Blinn College. While applying for colleges, I was having fun thinking about what my future would hold. I had no idea how much money college was going to cost.
Weimar ISD’s Counselor Corner Page became my best friend. I was filling out any scholarship application that applied to me. One particular scholarship was the Stanzel Family Foundation Scholarship. I had previous knowledge of their museum because I went there a lot as a child. I wrote my essay for the scholarship and turned it in to the counselor. When it came time for the scholarship interview, I was allowed to have a great conversation with the friendly committee. They allowed me to explain the reason for my lackluster GPA. They were very understanding. A couple of weeks later, I found out that I was choosen to be a scholar of the 2017 Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship. Even with the high school struggles, the committee saw the best in me. My high school teacher told me, “Some students struggle in high school and become excellent students in college.” This is exactly what happened to me.
While going to Sam Houston State University studying Interdisciplinary Studies. I quickly learned how to study in college, and I was featured on the Dean’s and President’s List multiple times. I maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher. I graduated from Sam Houston State University in July 2021 with a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree, Magna Cum Laude.
After graduating from Sam Houston State University, I became a first-grade Math and Science Dual Language Teacher in a school district near Houston with the intentions of coming back to Weimar. I am currently working on a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification.
I want to thank the Stanzel Family Foundation for their continued support and care for my success. These people are deeply invested in impacting the lives of scholars, and they have been a significant component and blessing to my family and me."
"In life, you never know how things are going to come to fruition and become your future. However, I had an idea about what I wanted to be; I did not anticipate how difficult the path would be for me.
In ninth grade, I started at Weimar High School, and I was doing just enough to pass, nothing more and nothing less. While my classmates were ascending, my sophomore year was nothing different; my attitude towards school was the same, just get by. My family and I started to gear up for college. That is when I found out the importance of a GPA (Grade Point Average). I immediately saw the adverse effects of my “just get by attitude.” As a result, I had a discussion with my parents, who had gone to college to become a nurse and police officer. My parents knew the importance of college and wanted me to follow in their footsteps. My junior year, I decided that I wanted to go to college. I had three choices: Texas State University, Sam Houston State University, or Blinn College. While applying for colleges, I was having fun thinking about what my future would hold. I had no idea how much money college was going to cost.
Weimar ISD’s Counselor Corner Page became my best friend. I was filling out any scholarship application that applied to me. One particular scholarship was the Stanzel Family Foundation Scholarship. I had previous knowledge of their museum because I went there a lot as a child. I wrote my essay for the scholarship and turned it in to the counselor. When it came time for the scholarship interview, I was allowed to have a great conversation with the friendly committee. They allowed me to explain the reason for my lackluster GPA. They were very understanding. A couple of weeks later, I found out that I was choosen to be a scholar of the 2017 Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship. Even with the high school struggles, the committee saw the best in me. My high school teacher told me, “Some students struggle in high school and become excellent students in college.” This is exactly what happened to me.
While going to Sam Houston State University studying Interdisciplinary Studies. I quickly learned how to study in college, and I was featured on the Dean’s and President’s List multiple times. I maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher. I graduated from Sam Houston State University in July 2021 with a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree, Magna Cum Laude.
After graduating from Sam Houston State University, I became a first-grade Math and Science Dual Language Teacher in a school district near Houston with the intentions of coming back to Weimar. I am currently working on a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification.
I want to thank the Stanzel Family Foundation for their continued support and care for my success. These people are deeply invested in impacting the lives of scholars, and they have been a significant component and blessing to my family and me."
High School ScholarshipThe Stanzel Family Foundation offers a scholarship opportunity to each qualified high school senior wishing to attend an institution of higher learning.
Current high school seniors who has residence permanently established within or is enrolled in Schulenburg ISD or Weimar ISD can apply for the Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship which provides financial assistance to students planning to attend an institution of higher education: technical, professional, or vocational field. The program provides continuous funding to qualifying students for their undergraduate studies as long as satisfactory academic performance is maintained. Applications for the high school scholarship may be obtained from the student’s high school counselor. |
Professional Scholarship
For those current professionals seeking to further their career in education or health, the Joseph and Victor Stanzel Educational/Health Care Professional Scholarship is available to enhance professional skills while providing financial assistance toward a degree or certification. Eligible applicants must reside in Schulenburg ISD or Weimar ISD.
To be eligible for a professional educational scholarship, an applicant should be at least a part-time employee of Schulenburg or Weimar schools for two years prior. If awarded an educational scholarship, the recipient is expected to enroll in and maintain a minimum number of six credit hours each semester while serving in at least a part-time educational position. If awarded a health care scholarship, the recipient is expected to enroll in and maintain a minimum number of six credit hours each semester while serving in at least a volunteer or part-time position in health care. Applications for the professional scholarship may be obtained by contacting the foundation. |
Dale Kirn Scholarship
The Stanzel Family Foundation established the Dale Kirn Memorial Scholarship to honor a very gifted person, Dale Kirn. His contributions to the model aviation community were internationally renowned and became invaluable to the Victor Stanzel Company of Schulenburg, Texas. Using his expertise, he built or refurbished the models on display in the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum. His historical memories aided in the compilation of data for the Museum.
Dale Kirn’s interest in model aviation began in 1936 when he was six years old and continued throughout his life. His vision, engineering capabilities, and competiveness were imparted to his own children. Dale, like Victor and Joseph Stanzel, was enchanted with the theory of flight and seeing it come to life for children of all ages. Thus, the Dale Kirn Memorial Scholarship is extended to children entering grades one through six and who show an aptitude in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math in the Schulenburg and Weimar schools. The hope is that an opportunity will be provided in which the children in this fast-paced, competitive global economy can further develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. These abilities were what made Dale Kirn successful and a resource to many. This scholarship will help fund children to attend a camp that focuses on science, technology, engineering, art and math with hands-on, project-based learning, where children have time to explore, work in teams, learn through discovery, and recognize the merits of persistence while honing their creative problem-solving skills. |
Zelda Allen School of Nursing Scholarship
The Stanzel Family Foundation established the Zelda Allen School of Nursing Scholarship which covers the cost of the ATI Testing for nurses enrolled in the program through Victoria College.
The Foundation’s interest in supporting the area of health began with Victor and Joe recognizing the need to access good quality medical care and treatment in a rural area. In seeking treatment when Joe was diagnosed with brain cancer, the gaps and needs in the local health care system became apparent. Rural areas continue to face unique challenges when it comes to health and health care including workforce shortages, distance and transportation issues, lower health insurance rates, and poor health literacy. Addressing these challenges and others continue to be a focus of the Foundation. Contact |
