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
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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 permanently reside within or are enrolled in Schulenburg ISD or Weimar ISD can apply for the Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is open to all students planning to attend an institution of higher education to earn a technical or vocational degree/certification, associates degree, or bachelors degree. The program offers ongoing financial support to students throughout their undergraduate studies, as long as they maintain satisfactory academic performance. 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 Memorial Professional Scholarship is available to enhance professional skills while providing financial assistance toward a degree or certification.
Eligible applicants must reside within or be serving residents of Schulenburg ISD or Weimar ISD. We welcome applicants from all fields. Individuals in education and healthcare fields are especially encouraged to apply. Applications for the professional scholarship may be obtained by contacting the foundation. |
The Stanzel Family Foundation partners with donors to provide additional scholarship opportunities to students.
Below are the named scholarships which the Foundation administers:
I.E. Clark Scholarship
The Landa Family Education Foundation is pleased to partner with the Stanzel Family Foundation in administering the Clark Scholarship. A personal note from John C. Landa, Jr., Landa Family Education Foundation, President: Lila and I.E. Clark dedicated their lives to educating and mentoring young people in the Schulenburg community. The Clarks were our “next door neighbors” across the Navidad River, just southwest of town. Lila Clark was a pleasure, a privilege, and an inspiration to know. She always made our family feel as a welcome part of the community. She was kind, intelligent, had a marvelous sense of humor, and was unfailingly upbeat. A cherished icon of Schulenburg, Lila taught English in the local public schools for some 36 years. She remained an active and vital member of the community until she died at the age of 96. Our family did not have the opportunity to get to know I.E. Clark, as we did not become “weekenders” to Schulenburg until 2005, but his legacy is well known. He was a Schulenburg High School faculty member for 34 years, where he earned recognition in journalism and drama. I.E. Clark’s UIL one-act plays advanced to state competitions repeatedly, over a span of many years. He founded a family play-publishing business in 1956, which remained active for decades. He helped found Backstage, Inc., a fine arts council covering five counties. At Lila’s memorial service in 2019 beneath the beautiful Trinity Oaks on her beloved farm, one of her family members remarked on her strong belief that education is the key to success. She and I.E. Clark enriched the community by helping hundreds of young people find their way to success. It is our family’s honor to remember them and help perpetuate their legacy by naming a scholarship in their honor. |
Ginger Stanzel Bosl Memorial Scholarship
Andy Bosl, Elgin Kristinik, and Elyse Kristinik, in collaboration with the Stanzel Family Foundation, established this memorial scholarship in remembrance of Ginger Stanzel Bosl, who passed away in 2023. Ginger played an active role in both the Schulenburg and Weimar communities. She dedicated 36 years to teaching at the Weimar Independent School District (ISD), focusing on second and third-grade students. After retiring in 2013, she continued to contribute as a long-term substitute at Schulenburg ISD and as an academic interventionist. Beyond her professional roles, Ginger was a passionate volunteer, collaborating with various professional and nonprofit organizations in the community, including Schulenburg / Weimar Area Parents as Teachers and Boys & Girls Clubs of Champion Valley. In 1997, she joined the board of the Stanzel Family Foundation, where she served as the board secretary and chair of the governance committee. Her dedication to the foundation's founders and her enthusiasm for their mission fueled years of hard work with the Stanzel Family Foundation and the Model Aircraft Museum. This memorial scholarship is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her community and the legacy she left behind. Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship in honor of Cyndy Reed In 2018, the Foundation established a scholarship in honor of Cyndy Reed, a cherished member of the Stanzel Family Foundation team for over 17 years. As Program Director, Cyndy dedicated herself to overseeing scholarships and nurturing scholars into successful, caring, and professional adults. Under her guidance, scholars returned each semester for renewal interviews, receiving ongoing support and mentorship. Cyndy felt passionate about this mentoring aspect of the Stanzel Scholar Program. Annually, through the Joseph and Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship Program, one scholarship is specially designated in Cyndy’s honor. It is awarded to a remarkable and deserving student who demonstrates the potential for success through dedication, mentorship, and support. |