Scholarship program godsend to area youth

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Because of the United Way Youth Activities Scholarship Program, one young girl from New Ulm is able to cultivate a talent she normally would not have been able to.

Nora, whose family wishes that her real name not be revealed, has been able to develop her skill playing an instrument that is not offered through the New Ulm schools. She has participated in the program at New Ulm Suzuki School of Music, which costs approximately $700 a year -- more than her family would normally be able to afford.

"With a large family, the other kids want to do things too," Nora's father said. "There are some activities my kids could not take.

"They need to have shoes and clothes before being able to do other things," he said. "[The program is] well appreciated."

Nora's family is not alone in New Ulm. The United Way has helped 31 area youth participate in activities from piano lessons to summer soccer to BMX to Just for Kix to Tae Kwon Do in the scholarship program's one year of existence.

"There are families that have two incomes, families that have single parents, or they might have medical bills or a certain situation where they can't have that added expense," the Executive Director of the New Ulm chapter of the United way, Carisa Buegler, said. "It's a diverse group."

Thirty-five total scholarships were awarded to kids participating in 15 different organizations -- nine sports-related activities, four arts or music and two others.

The program was implemented in March 2003 to help kids become involved in activities outside of school, providing monetary assistance.

The monetary assistance, which covers 90 percent of the cost to be in an activity, not only covers the entrance fees, but also helps out with equipment and other expenses, up to $250 per year.

For Nora's family, the program has also helped out with the cost of being in the soccer program, including fees and gear like shoes and shin guards.

"It's really kind of neat," Buegler said. "We work with a person with the association and they work with the family to find items that work."

Two of the businesses in town have also agreed to work closely with the United Way: Jacobs and Meidl and Nicklasson Athletic. The United Way will give the family a voucher to use to buy the needed items, then the scholarship program pays the business, ensuring that the money is used for what it was intended.

In all, $10,000 was set aside last year for the scholarship fund ­ money from local businesses and the United Way fundraising campaign. This year, the amount has been cut in half to $5,000.

"We need to look at creative ways to keep the program open, because it is responding to an obvious need," Buegler said. "The No. 1 reason for at-risk behavior in kids is that they have nothing to do. We hear that in New Ulm all the time. This gives kids something to do -- gives them goals."

This year, Nora finally was able to buy herself a new instrument that will be more than sufficient for her for high school, and hopefully for college. She went to the Twin Cities to find a high-caliber instrument, choosing by playing the instrument instead of by price, then paid for it with her own money.

"She paid for it herself, because we could not," Nora's father said. "She got some money from her grandparents and she's real thrifty. She saved for three years."

Just because the family only has to pay for 10 percent of the cost of the classes doesn't mean they didn't work for the opportunity. Nor does it mean that they don't make some sacrifices. Nora's family doesn't have big toys like a boat or Jet Skis or do extravagant things.

"I just can't do it," Nora's father said. "Piano -- that's something that's going to stay with them the rest of their lives. I'd rather pay for something like that than a snowmobile."

Not only did the family work to come up with their 10 percent and more, both of Nora's parents have always given money to the United Way through work.

"We're just recouping what we've given," Nora's father said. "We're reaping some of the seed I've sown. That's why I don't feel so guilty doing this program."

So not only do recipients have ownership in the program, with their 10 percent responsibility, they also have the opportunity, when they have more money to work with, to help others get the same assistance.

"People need to be compassionate and help other people out because some kids cannot participate in things," he said. "That's what the United Way is all about -- people helping others out in the community."