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Class Of 2011

Welcome to the NARM Scholarship Foundation’s Class Of 2011. This year, we awarded 16 students over $75,000 in financial scholarships and prizes. Since the inception of the NARM Scholarship Foundation in 1966, NARM has awarded more than 800 scholarships representing over $5 million in financial assistance to members or their families.

The NARM Scholarship Committee judged all entries based on academic achievement, financial need and future potential. The following winners were acknowledged during the 2011 NARM Convention held in Los Angeles in May:

Beth Allard
Sony DADC
Danny Yarbrough Memorial Scholarship

The Danny Yarbrough Memorial Scholarship is contributed by Sony Music Entertainment.

Music has been an important part of Beth’s life, through her church as a pianist and choir member, playing piano and singing at nursing homes, directing a children’s musical and teaching piano. She plans to combine her love for music and teaching by entering the field of music therapy with a specific goal of working with children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Heather Bliss
Nebraska Furniture Mart
EMI Music Marketing Scholarship

Heather attends the University of Kansas and majors in Behavioral Neuroscience, planning for a career as a clinical psychologist after getting her PhD through her school’s graduate program. To achieve this goal, she hopes to do some independent study with instructors to get experience in labs and research and will volunteer at a domestic violence center to gain more experience in this area of study. In addition to her academic studies, Heather is also a sales associate at Nebraska Furniture Mart.

Brittney Blycker
Nebraska Furniture Mart
NARM Outstanding Achievement Award

Brittney has a love of academics and was involved in her high school’s International Baccalaureate Program, which lead to many opportunities, including teaching Spanish to elementary school students. She has also been involved in dance since the age of 4 and attributes this outlet to the discipline she has for her studies. Brittney will study Forensics Science or Biology in college.

Spencer Colvert
Nebraska Furniture Mart
Navarre Corp. Scholarship

The Navarre Corporation Scholarship is contributed by Eric & Karen Paulson.

Spencer has a passion for helping others and for this reason has decided to study nursing at Washburn University. Raised only by his mother, Spencer was inspired by her perseverance and hard work. He, in turn, has reached out and given back to his community through volunteer programs for school children and senior citizens, in addition to working 20 hours per week.

Brockton Conwell
Symphonic Pulse Percussion
NARM Board Of Directors Music Education Scholarship

In addition to taking the most advanced courses offered by his high school, Brockton is already an entrepreneur who opened a studio in his home to provide private percussion lessons to students, while also offering custom arrangements and composition services. Brockton plans to continue his business while he majors in music education and business at college. His long-term goal includes opening an illustrious percussion studio and store in a major city where percussionists can come together to learn and play.

Marissa Fortman
Trans World Entertainment
Henry Droz Memorial Scholarship

The Henry Droz Memorial Scholarship is contributed by Universal Music Group Distribution.

Marissa had a 97% GPA in her senior year of high school, was extremely active within her school and community and is extremely creative. She was in the Art, English and Science Honor Societies and combined her creativity and sense of compassion by participating in the school’s HUGS Club which makes quilts and pillows for children at St. Jude’s Hospital and the local city mission. Marissa will major in occupational therapy at college.

Stacy Grabenschroer
Nebraska Furniture Mart
Mickey Granberg Memorial Scholarship

Stacy is a student at Iowa Western Community College, achieved a 4.0 GPA this academic year, and was put on the President’s Honor Roll. Her goal is to become a pediatric dental hygienist. She faced a very big personal challenge this past year when her mother experienced a health crisis, but feels this experience made her a stronger person inside and out and increased her motivation for success. In addition to her very busy academic life, Stacy is employed by Nebraska Furniture Mart where she is described as a valuable member of the team.

Connor Hellner
Trans World Entertainment
Joel Friedman Memorial Scholarship

The Joel Friedman Memorial Scholarship is contributed by WEA Corp.

Connor was enrolled in a rigorous academic high school program that included college credit courses in English, Calculus and Biology. His strong work ethic earned him a GPA of 93. In addition, the 4-H Club has been an important part of his life since he was 8 years old when he began raising Market Steers. He has presented every year since and also speaks at many 4-H events. Connor’s long-term career goal has been either architecture or engineering. He will begin his studies in Electromechanical Engineering at Alfred State this fall.

Brittany Herman
Sony DADC
Ahmt Ertegun Memorial Scholarship

Brittany currently attends Butler University, majors in Pharmacy and Health Science and is a member of the Honors Program. She is very active in a woman’s fraternity that plans philanthropic events to raise money and awareness for several charities. Her involvement with the organization has inspired her to become a student orientation guide for incoming freshmen and to also join a pharmacy fraternity. In her spare time, Brittany volunteers at the Humane Society.

Jacob Stanko
Anderson Merchandisers
Higgins Family Foundation Scholarship

Jake challenged himself with advanced placement and college level classes in high school and did very well. He was on multiple varsity teams and was part of his school system’s football team since seventh grade. He was a member of the student council and Spanish Club and was chosen by the faculty to be a mentor to incoming freshmen because he was a strong role model. Jacob will attend Penn State University Park and study engineering.

Madeline Smart
Best Buy
Best Buy Scholarship

Madeline has taken a rigorous course load throughout high school and is in the top of her class. She has been an outstanding example for her peers and was very actively involved in her school community. Madeline has been involved in Girl Scouts since the first grade and she is currently in the process of earning her gold award. She is also on the Board of The Depot Coffee House, a student run music venue, which was instrumental in organizing fundraising events such as Haiti Jam.

Samuel Wilder
Sony Music Entertainment
William G. Owen Memorial Scholarship

Samuel became interested in Computer Assisted Design (CAD) during the open house at his high school. He continually puts forth the effort into getting better and exploring everything about CAD and has shared his knowledge by frequently helping other students in this area. Samuel plans to test his CAD knowledge soon in a Skills USA competition. He will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute this fall.