Scholarship foundation receives $50,000 donation

IRONWOOD — The Ironwood Area Scholarship Foundation received a $50,000 donation from the late Thomas C. Basso, formerly of Ironwood.

Basso died on June 24, 2013, leaving a donation to the foundation. In 2003, Basso’s mother, Dorothy, left a $20,000 donation in honor of her late parents, Axel and Lena Wickman.

The donation was presented to the Ironwood Area School Board of Education Monday. Superintendent Tim Kolesar wass amazed at the generosity from former alumni.

“I think that one of the nicest things is to witness these alumni giving back in hope of having another Ironwood graduate go on to college, or any higher institute of learning, to better themselves,” Kolesar said.

Kolesar said that the foundation supplies a $500 scholarship for every $10,000 donated, as long as the scholarship foundation is in existence. Through Basso’s donation, five seniors will receive scholarships.

“Every kid that fills out an application from the foundation gets a scholarship,” Kolesar said. “Last year, we had 48 kids and each one of them got at least $500. That is what we’re hoping to do, give every kid that we can scholarships. And it’s not just to kids going to four-year universities. We also want to support students going to community college or trade schools, as well.”

According to Kolesar, the goal is about having kids be successful.

“When I talk to alumni, the one thing I always hear and stress is that we want every kid to be more successful than we are,” Kolesar said. “It’s important to show them that we support their efforts.”

For more information on the Ironwood Area Scholarship Foundation, call Kolesar at 906-932-0200.