Merrill Area Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. John Sample, announced today that current and former Merrill Area Public School (MAPS) administrators are contributing to the lucrative annual scholarship program at Merrill High School.
The collective donation, funded solely by past and present Merrill public school administrators, will provide an annual scholarship to a graduating Merrill High senior heading to one of the University of Wisconsin’s four-year campuses entering in the field of education on a full-time basis.
“Wisconsin has seen a 35% decline in enrollment of teacher preparation programs at the university level since 2010 and a 28% decrease in program completers per DPI-provided data,” stated Gerald Beyer, MAPS Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “The Merrill Administrators Association Education Scholarship is only available thanks to ongoing contribution from previous and current administrators in this district and is merely one method to promote education in general and the educational profession.”
“All of the retired Merrill Area School District administrators see no higher priority than to provide opportunities for outstanding young people to enter the field of education,” exclaimed retired administrator Mr. Gene Bebel in a statement.
Reacting to the gift, MAPS Superintendent Dr. John Sample said, “We are so appreciative of this generous opportunity the past and present Merrill Administrators have provided our students. They are truly paying it forward and allowing recipients of this scholarship access to lifelong learning and success.”
For further questions about this scholarship, contact John Sample at 715-536-4581, ext.10002.