30 Students Receive Orlo A. Balcer Memorial Scholarship for Community Excellence

Frandsen Bank & Trust is proud to announce this year’s Orlo A. Balcer Memorial Scholarship recipients. These graduating high school students are outstanding members of their community and plan to continue their education in fall 2026.

This $1,000 scholarship recognizes local students who demonstrate a strong commitment to their community and honors the memory of former Frandsen Bank teammate Orlo A. Balcer. Now in its fifth year of the program, the bank selects 30 students annually to receive the scholarship.

"These students do a remarkable job giving back to their communities,” said Karen Brekke, Frandsen Bank executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and board chair. “Our scholarship program is a wonderful opportunity to recognize their hard work and support them as they continue their academic journeys.”

This year’s recipients are:

• Brody Anderson, a graduate of East Grand Forks Senior High School

• Cora Anderson, a graduate of Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School

• Cooper Aune, a graduate of Rock Ridge High School

• Avery Bahn, a graduate of Jordan High School

• Luke Bastian, a graduate of Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop High School

• Isabelle Bruns, a graduate of Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School

• Emilie Dutcher, a graduate of Hinckley-Finlayson High School

• Kya Elfering, a graduate of BOLD High School

• Ethan Ellerbusch, a graduate of Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School

• Clara Foss, a graduate of Foley High School

• Lillian Gottwald, a graduate of Hayward High School

• Colin Heiland, a graduate of Chisago Lakes High School

• Miley Hoffarth, a graduate of Pine Island High School

• Ava Hoffman, a graduate of Jordan High School

• Kayla Johnson, a graduate of Forest Lake Area High School

• Ryan Johnson, a graduate of New Ulm Public High School

• Calli Johnson, a graduate of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School

• Emily Kuchinka, a graduate of Tri-City United High School

• Ellery LaCroix, a graduate of Medford High School

• Leif Lahti, a graduate of Frederic 6-12 School

• Jaxson Lamppa, a graduate of Rock Ridge High School

• Carson Lee, a graduate of Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop High School

• Morgan McDonald, a graduate of East Grand Forks Senior High School

• Jorie Miska, a graduate of Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School

• Lola Olsen, a graduate of Hayward High School

• Kirby Olson, a graduate of Ortonville High School

• Elizabeth Ovitt, a graduate of Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart High School

• Daisy Roehm, a graduate of Luck High School

• Aliyah Vasek, a graduate of East Grand Forks Senior High School

• Isaak Worm, a graduate of Tri-City United High School