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SCHULENBURG — The Stanzel Family Foundation celebrated its fifth annual Scholar Launch on July 9, recognizing a new class of scholarship recipients while welcoming them into a growing network of student leaders and alumni.
Held at the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum, the annual event honored recipients of the Joseph & Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship, along with several additional scholarships established by local families and donors to recognize community members whose legacies continue to support future generations.
This year’s Joseph & Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship recipients are Jamison Bennett, Cheyenne Booker, Caleigh Brock, Reagan Dusek, Jayse Janda, Zowie Lee, Phoenix Richter-Trejo, Daysi Rico and Lance Tolbert.
Additional scholarships awarded include: Clark Scholarship – Landa Family Education Foundation: Jamison Bennett Ginger Stanzel Bosl Memorial Scholarship: Reagan Dusek Cyndy Reed Legacy Scholarship: Jamison Bennett Wanda Johnson Beaudry Stanzel Memorial Scholarship: Jailyn Guerrero, Aidan Mendez, Shalanie Olvera, Phoenix Richter- Trejo and Daysi Rico Recipients represent students from Schulenburg, Weimar and La Grange independent school districts, as well as Sacred Heart Catholic School.
Beyond recognizing academic achievement, Scholar Launch serves as an introduction to the Foundation and the community of scholars who have benefited from its support over the years.
Students toured the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum to learn about the aviation legacy of brothers Joseph and Victor Stanzel and assembled balsa wood model airplanes, a handson activity inspired by the brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit. The evening concluded with cookies served at the Stanzel family home, offering students and their families an opportunity to connect while celebrating the beginning of a new chapter.
The event also brought together Foundation directors, committee members, donors, staff and scholarship alumni, giving the newest recipients the opportunity to network with graduates now working in a variety of professions.
Since 1991, the Joseph & Victor Stanzel Memorial Scholarship has awarded scholarships to more than 600 high school and professional students from the Schulenburg and Weimar areas, creating a network of scholars committed to education, leadership and community service.
The Stanzel Fami ly Foundation was established in 1989 by brothers Joseph and Victor Stanzel, founders of the Victor Stanzel Co., a model aircraft manufacturing company based in Schulenburg. Today, the Foundation cont inues to support educational opportunities and community health initiatives throughout the Schulenburg and Weimar areas.
Courtesy photo Pictured, from left to right, are Lance Tolbert, new scholar; Josh Cardarelli, current scholar; Kristi McBride, Stanzel alumni; Cheyenne Booker, new scholar; Meagan Velasquez, board member; Melanie Ramirez, SFF program director; Nicole Gabler, Stanzel alumni; Aidan Mendez, new scholar; Violeta Martinez, board member; Cynthia Fogleman, SMAM museum director; Shirley Schoener, SMAM museum docent; Dorothy Huebel, committee member; Cheryl Pekar, SFF CEO; Zowie Lee, new scholar; Phoenix Richter-Trejo, new scholar; Daysi Rico, new scholar; Jailyn Guerrero, new scholar; Shalanie Olvera, new scholar; Nicolas Lopez, current scholar; Jamison Bennett, new Scholar; and Jayse Janda, new scholar. New Scholars not pictured are Caleigh Brock and Reagan Dusek.
