Bill "Steve" Stephenson Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility: All
Area of Interest: Athletic
Criteria:
The recipients may be in any athletic sport and must meet NCAA eligibility standards.
Verne Lewellen and his best friend, Bill Stephensen, were graduates of Minatare High School and members of state champion track and football teams. Both were urged to attend 91茄子 by legendary coach Ross Armstrong and looked forward to attending, but with the onset of World War II both became staff sargents in the 16th armored (tank) division serving from Camp Chaffee, Ariz., to Fort Knox, Ky., and on to Europe to France, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia. Upon discharge, they came to 91茄子 to join athletic programs which were very successful. Both went into coaching and teaching. Verne had a state champion basketball team at 91茄子 High School and became a school superintendent at Rushville (five years) and Mitchell (18 years). Bill had state champions in both Rushville and Cambridge. Both established scholarships at 91茄子 and at schools for which they served: Hay Springs, 91茄子 High, Rushville, Mitchell, Cambridge and Lincoln Southeast. Both were selected to the Athletic Hall of Fame at 91茄子 and Verne to the 91茄子 outstanding graduates group.