2008 Sturgis Falls Scholarship Recipients

  Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson is a 2008 graduate of Cedar Falls High School.  He is the son of Jeff and Jill Johnson of Cedar Falls.  During his high school career, Jeremiah was on the Honor Roll and took Advanced Placement courses. He played in the Orchestra from Elementary School through his junior year.

 An involved, community oriented young man is just one way to describe Jeremiah. He started Cub Scouts at age 7 and has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 44 since 5^th grade, earning a record number of badges.  Jeremiah has earned multiple awards including the Order of the Arrow, and has held many leadership roles within the troop.  In 2005, he received the rank of Eagle Scout. Attending the National Scout Jamboree at Fort AP Hill, Virginia, was an exciting 10 day adventure for Jeremiah. He remains involved in Boy Scouts and has helped with nine other Eagle Scout projects in the metro area.

 As a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, he is an active participant in youth group and runs the technical equipment for their services.

 Local family history has deep roots in Jeremiah’s family.  He takes great pride in being the seventh generation to live at the same Cedar Falls address. Jeremiah believes that heritage not only reflects his past, but influences his future.  In his essay, he noted that he enjoys “studying the history of Cedar Falls and the involvement his family has had in it”.  He plans to pursue that goal by getting a degree in History.

 Jeremiah’s Hometown Heroes include his first Scoutmaster, Walt Senchina and his grandparents, Garel & Jeanine Johnson and Roger & Waival Austin.  He feels that Mr. Senchina’s leadership qualities, support, and motivational style inspired him to grow in courage, spirit and confidence.  Jeremiah’s grandparents have loved and supported him in everything he has done.

. This fall, Jeremiah will attend classes at Hawkeye Community College, with plans to complete his undergraduate degree at UNI.

Alayna Rasmussen

Alayna Rasmussen is a 2008 graduate of Northern University High School.  She is the daughter of Dane and Jennifer Rasmussen of Cedar Falls.  Alayna has taken dual enrollment classes, and has been an Honor Roll student throughout her high school career.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and earned honors in Academics, Band, and Chorus. This past season, she was manager for the Varsity Boys Basketball team.  

She is a self-professed animal lover, and is passionate about horses. Alayna has been a member of the United States Pony Club since 2001, and teaches horse care and riding skills to younger members.  She has volunteered her time at the ASPIRE Therapeutic Horse Riding Program and Camp Hope.

 Her willingness to serve others has also been exhibited in her leadership roles at Prairie Lakes Church where she worked with Kindergarten and First Grade children in the Kid-venture (Sunday school) program.

 In her essay, she noted, “Cedar Falls proudly displays a wide assortment of hometown heroes.” Over the years she has witnessed “a whole town planting the seeds of new hometown heroes right next to the ones already standing tall.”  Her goal is to return to Cedar Falls after college and “foster that same kind of hometown commitment” that she sees on every face she passes during Sturgis Falls Celebration.  She wants to be a part of this community for the rest of her life.

 Her Hometown Heroes are her Grandmothers, Rosemary Beach and the late Barbara Turek.  Alayna chose Rosemary Beach “because of all the things that she has done and continues to do for Cedar Falls.”  As a well-known community volunteer and UNI supporter “she helps out wherever she can.”  Barbara Turek lived with Alayna’s family while undergoing chemotherapy.  Throughout that time, Alayna learned valuable life lessons from her; “accept everything in life, fight for what you love, and appreciate the small things”. 

 Alayna will start classes at Iowa State University in August, where she intends to major in Engineering. 

Michael Streicher

Michael Streicher is a 2008 graduate of Cedar Falls High School.  He is the son of Ernie and Jody Streicher of Cedar Falls.  Michael maintained a 4.0 Grade point average throughout High School, while taking a full academic load, including Advanced Placement courses.

 During his High School career, Michael was a section leader in Band and Orchestra and an active participant in Cross Country and Track & Field.  He lettered multiple years, was a State Qualifier, and Team Captain in both sports.

 Outside of school, Michael has been active in Boy Scouts; he attended National Jamboree, earned the Order of the Arrow and his Eagle Scout Rank, and was a Junior Assistant Scout Leader. He participated with the Hilltoppers Running Club and held two part-time jobs.

 As a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, he has participated in Youth Group, Wednesday evening worship, multiple Church Councils, and Mission trips to Chicago, Minneapolis, and Guatemala. He attended Big House at Orchard Hill Church, participated in LUG groups, and went on Caravan to New York City.

 Michael feels “the best thing about Cedar Falls is the people” who “make this town into a true community”. He considers two of those people, Jeff Hartman and Troy Becker, as his Hometown Heroes. He feels both of these men are great role models and have attributes that he hopes to emulate in his life.

 In his essay, Michael talked about giving back to the community. He has done just that by participating in service projects throughout the Cedar Valley through opportunities at church, school, and Boy Scouts.

 In August, Michael will start classes at Purdue University, where he intends to major in Engineering.