The Riverside University High School Foundation
October 5, 2010PURPOSES
Promote, encourage and support the maintenance of Riverside’s long history of academic excellence.
Provide recognition and awards for outstanding student achievement.
Provide higher education grants to deserving students.
HISTORY
The Come Home To Riverside Foundation (now “The Riverside University High School Foundation”) was founded in 1997 by two Riverside High School Alumni, Jack Rosenberg (philanthropist and founder of “Tel-Check”) and Elmer Winter (founder of Manpower, Inc.). They recognized that a lack of money for public schools was beginning to reach a crisis stage and was slowly eroding the quality of education at Riverside which had been a hallmark of the school throughout its storied history. The Foundation is registered with the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization which allows its contributors to make tax deductible donations to the Foundation.
SOURCES OF FUNDING
The Foundation’s primary source of funds has been individual contributions which have been solicited through the Foundation’s twice-annual direct mailings to alumni and friends of the school. In addition, a number of alumni have established scholarship funds within the Foundation’s family of such funds.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Foundation General Scholarships - Established by the Foundation in 1998 to reward students who have worked diligently to maintain the high academic standards of Riverside University High School. Recipients must also demonstrate an active involvement in school extracurricular as well as community service. Amount distributed to date: $88,500
2. Larry Leonard Memorial Scholarship Fund – Established to honor the memory of Mr. Larry Leonard, an Assistant Principal who passed away in 2002. Mr. Leonard was greatly loved and highly respected by the entire family of Riverside students, staff and parents. Criteria – African-American male student who has shown that he is dedicated to high academic achievement, as well as to school and community service. Amount distributed to date: $6,000
3. Joan Crisostomo Marathon Scholarship Fund – Ms Crisostomo is currently the Director of Guidance Services at Riverside. Beginning in 2007, she decided to combine her decision to run a full marathon race with her desire to assist a deserving Riverside graduate attend college. She funds her Foundation scholarship through tax-deductible pledges from Riverside staff, family and friends. Amount distributed to date: $9,200
4. Quiles Brothers ScholarshipFund – Three Quiles brothers, all of whom attended Riverside, have established a Foundation scholarship fund to honor what they describe as a “sibling legacy” where an older sibling attended Riverside and positively influenced a younger sibling’s experience at Riverside. Rudy (’90), Nick (’92) and Israel (’98) Quiles raise money for their scholarship fund through charity runs, and personal donations. Amount distributed to date: $3,500
5. Scott Wisniewski Engineering Scholarships – Scott is a 1998 graduate of Riverside who currently works in the computer technology field. He has established a Foundation Scholarship to reward one or more graduating Riverside students who have demonstrated a considerable aptitude in the field of computer science. He funds his scholarship through a personal donation which is then matched by his employer. Amount distributed to date: $5,000
6. Kate Windorski Memorial Scholarship Fund – Ms. Windorski taught vocal music at Riverside for many years. She was instrumental in re-establishing the annual school musical production as well as the swing choir and the madrigal choir. She passed away in 2006. This scholarship fund was established through contributions from her family, friends, former students and Riverside staff. It is intended to assist a student who intends to pursue their interest in music at the higher education level. Amount distributed to date: $5,810
7. Bookstore Service Scholarship – This fund was established for the first time in 2008 by the Riverside School Bookkeeper, Lori Burgos, who wanted to honor a student who had demonstrated a high degree of school service through volunteer work in the School Bookstore. Amount distributed to date: $5,000.
8. Drew/Washabaugh Friends and Family Newspaper Scholarship – Catherine Washabaugh, a retired Riverside English teacher and School Newspaper advisor and a family friend of hers, Mike Drew, a Milwaukee newspaper journalist, established a scholarship fund in 2001 to assist graduating students who have exhibited dedication and leadership in the School Newspaper class for at least two years. They must also show that they have been accepted to attend a college or university and that they are in need of financial assistance. Amount distributed to date: $34,500
9. Bette Cano Community Service Scholarship Fund – This scholarship was established in 2011 by the family of Bette Cano, a Milwaukee area community activist who fought hard for social justice, equality and opportunity for all. Bette’s three daughters are all graduates of Riverside High School. Bette’s family and friends want to honor her memory with a scholarship to support the further education of a deserving Riverside graduate who shows the same commitment to community involvement and activism as did Bette. Amount distributed to date: $1,000
10. Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship Fund – This scholarship was established by the Board of Directors of the RUHS-Foundation as a means of raising additional scholarship funds through solicitations of their own families and friends. Amount distributed to date: $1,500
11. Heritage Scholarship – This scholarship provides a means for donors to honor someone (a recent graduate, a past classmate or administrator for example) or express sympathy in times of loss. (New)
Total Amount of Scholarship Money Distributed by the
Foundation to Date: $160,010
(Note: This amount does not include the $110,000 in scholarships provided through the Foundation by the late Jack Rosenberg)
Riverside Program Support
Public financing of Riverside’s needs is dwindling rapidly and threatens the ability of the school to maintain its long history of excellence in education. The Foundation has granted in excess of $32,000 to Riverside teachers for the purchase of teaching tools such as computers, Smart-Boards, etc. In addition we have provided grants for such things as student leadership training ($300), the annual student tour of historically black colleges and universities ($4,060), the school’s wellness program ($500), the student Europe tour ($1,000), as well as new Swing Choir costumes ($2,400). We also solicited donor funds to upgrade the school’s Football Program which has seen resurgence in recent years. We received net donations of $6,500 for this purpose.
Student Recognition
The Renaissance Program is a long-standing Riverside Program which provides incentives and rewards to deserving students for attendance, behavior, service to the school, etc. The Foundation has contributed over $7,000 for these purposes since its inception.
A special Thank-you to all of Riverside’s alumni and friends whose donations have made the Foundation’s efforts to support Riverside possible.
We can't do this without YOU! Support the Riverside Foundation by filling out the membership form and sending it in with your generous donation.
