Scholarship honors memory of Waterville student

By Lucas Beechinor

WATERVILLE — On Dec. 1, 2010, 17-year- old Lauren metformin 1000 mg tab Ludeman passed away due to complications from cancer. Joe Ludeman, her father, has established the Lauren Ludeman Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor her memory and provide financial aid to Waterville High School (where Lauren was a student) seniors and alumni looking to further their education.

Ludeman, who is a Waterville resident and served on the school board for four years, has set a goal to raise $10,000 for the scholarship. The scholarship is organized through the Community Foundation of North Central Washington. Ludeman says they are an amazing group to work with. So far, Ludeman has raised $3,000 and he is asking for help from the community, which has shown a high level of support for the fund.

“That’s what’s so great about Waterville. Everyone wants to help,” Ludeman said.

A gift auction will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Farmer’s Community Hall, about 20 miles east of Waterville on Highway 2. All proceeds from the event will be contributed towards the fund, said Ludeman, who will not be able to attend. “They are doing all this without us, which says even more about them, that they just want to help,” said Ludeman.

In addition to support from the Community Foundation and friends and family, Ludeman has also organized a committee to help educate high school seniors about the opportunity. Committee members include Dean of Students Tabatha Mires, Teresa Ruud, Paullette Whitehall, and Career Counselor Alice Ruud.

“I’ve got a good group on the committee. All these people knew Lauren in different ways,” said Ludeman.

Ruud spoke with students about the scholarship and sees it as a tremendous opportunity for seniors who are thinking about continuing their education.

“This year we lost a couple scholarships because of the poor economy. There just wasn’t enough to go around,” said Ruud. She also said that the students at Waterville High School have been very thoughtful about Lauren’s memory. “They are caring, as a class,” said Ruud.

Lauren Ludeman would have graduated this year with her peers. Ludeman recalls his daughter had a big heart and thought it was important to stay active and help others in need. “It would make her proud,” said Ludeman in regards to what his daughter would think of the scholarship.

Scholarship applicants must be graduating seniors or alumni of Waterville High School seeking further education at an accredited educational program in the United States. The minimum GPA requirement is 2.5. Applicants must also demonstrate strong moral character and leadership through volunteer work and service to family and the community. They must also demonstrate a need for financial aid. For more information on the Lauren Ludeman Memorial Scholarship, contact Alice Ruud at Waterville High School, or visit the Community Foundation of NCW’s website at www.cfncw.org.

To make a donation to the scholarship, contact the Community Foundation of NCW at 1-888-317-8314.