For many high school seniors, filling out scholarship applications can be like another class, completing constant essays, submitting extracurricular activities, and talking about future goals. However, for the BCSC (Berlin Community Scholarship Committee), students only have to fill out one simple application, and the real work is in the hands of the committee, which has to grow, manage, and distribute over $170,000 worth of scholarships annually.
“While donors may establish criteria for their scholarship (such as field of study, GPA, or financial need), the actual selection of recipients is overseen by the scholarship committee. The committee reviews all applications holistically to ensure fairness, consistency, and alignment with the donor’s intent. This approach allows us to maintain a transparent and equitable process for all applicants,” BCSC President Julie Gurkowski said.
The BCSC started just over 40 years ago in 1985 with small amounts of “seed funds.” These funds, along with future donations, were put into an investment account, which has grown substantially throughout the years.
“We still manage the original investment account that seeded the BCSC. The funds are held in a diversified investment portfolio designed for long‑term stability and measured growth. Our strategy focuses on balancing risk and returns through a mix of equities and fixed accounts, like CDs, with periodic rebalancing to maintain alignment with our 60 non-guaranteed/40 guaranteed target allocation. The goal is to preserve and grow the principal while generating sustainable earnings that support annual scholarship awards,” BCSC Treasurer, Kara Felcan said.
The growth in the fund has been heavily fueled by the community, which is the true driver behind giving students educational opportunities.
“Many donors choose the BCSC because they know their contribution has a direct, local impact. Every dollar stays within our community and supports students they often know personally or through family, school, or community connections. Donors appreciate the fact that their gift can be tailored to honor loved ones, support specific fields of study, or create lasting legacies,” Felcan said.
Although some people donate/designate scholarships just for one year or a set amount of time, donors interested in making a larger contribution can make a one-time donation that will renew indefinitely, preserving stories and propelling future students.
“Creating an endowment scholarship is a straightforward process. A donor establishes a fund with a minimum contribution amount of $10,0000. The donor can specify criteria such as field of study, academic interests, financial need, or other meaningful preferences. Once created, the principal remains invested permanently, and the earnings support scholarships year after year, creating a long‑lasting legacy,” Felcan said.
The BCSC doesn’t do it alone either; they are diligent in seeking out outside opinions and remaining open/involved with members from all different parts of the community.
“We partner with outside financial institutions and professional investment management, ensuring that our funds are overseen with expertise and in accordance with best practices,” Felcan said. “The committee itself is structured to maintain transparency and fairness in decision‑making. It typically includes community members, educators, and local leaders who review applications, evaluate financial needs, and ensure donor intent is honored. This collaborative structure helps maintain accountability and strengthens community trust.”
Not only does the BCSC give out scholarships, but BHS itself does as well. The office provides the application for the BCSC, where the groups work together to get the widest spread of students to receive scholarships.
“We provide the application materials to the BCSC. We have some staff who serve on their board/selection committee. We usually provide them with a timeline and allow them to pick theirs first, and then our BHS Selection committee considers what a student already won when selecting ours,” Principal Bryant Bednarek said.
Scholarships don’t stop after leaving high school, either; the BCSC offers scholarships for students who are currently enrolled in college, and in many cases, these offer more money than the scholarships for graduating seniors.
“We receive between 60–70 college applicants each year. We value supporting students throughout their full academic journey, not just at the start,” Gurkowski said.
As high school and college students fill out this year’s application, the work behind the scenes will only grow, but the BCSC’s goals and visions have not changed, all with the help of the community behind them.
“We hope recipients use the scholarship to ease financial burdens so they can focus on learning, growth, and pursuing meaningful goals. Our intention is that the support allows them to stay enrolled, take on fewer work hours, access opportunities they might otherwise miss, and graduate with less debt,” Gurkowski said. “The strength of the BCSC comes from the deep commitment of our community. Local families, businesses, alumni, and civic groups believe in investing in the next generation, and that shared belief creates a powerful foundation.”
