Merit Scholarships

Kay Bennett, a 1960 Heelan grad, devoted her life to teaching elementary school students in California. She grew up in South Sioux City and attended St. Michael School before attending Heelan where she was active in pep club and supporting plays. After Kay passed, her devoted husband established this scholarship to honor her wit, common sense, dignity and connection to her Irish roots. Awarded to freshmen of Irish descent who show dedication to growing academically, spiritually and morally.

Dee Blatchford was an admired and respected teacher who taught at Heelan for 38 years before retiring in 2008. After initially teaching math, she taught science classes for decades, inspiring countless students to pursue careers in the sciences. As a teacher, Dee was passionate, creative and demanding. She died too young in 2016 of ALS (Lou Gerig's disease.) This award is presented to an incoming senior who shows high achievement in science.

Mary Ann (Callais) Longstreth '72, alive and thriving today, was an active student with perfect attendance during her years at Heelan. She was involved in school plays, was a majorette, flag twirler, a member of French club and pep club and on the make-up crew for theater productions. She was active in student government, worked on the student office crew and was a Heelan rep for its American Red Cross chapter. Students eligible for this award named in her honor, must have a sibling with a disability (as Mary Ann did) and experience financial hardship.

Col. Considine graduated from Bishop Heelan in 1966. "T.C." was a fighter pilot and at the time of his death, was the Commander of the 185th Air National Guard Unit based in Sioux City. This scholarship was established in 2002 after Col. Considine lost his long battle with cancer. This scholarship is awarded to a Bishop Heelan student in grades 9-11 who is involved in either vocal or instrumental music. Selection is made by the family.

This scholarship is available to an incoming freshman and a student in grades 9-11. It honors the father of Dennis Duffy, a generous contributor to our PRIDE campaign. 

Heelan's Duffy Hall Commons also honors Clement and LuVerne Duffy.

This scholarship to Bishop Heelan High School is available to incoming freshmen.

The adult children of John (Jack) and Margaret Gill created this Scholarship Fund for an incoming freshmen who shows dedication to hard work. As a loving tribute to their father and mother, they wanted to help other families provide a quality Catholic education to their children as their parents did. Jack is in his 90s today and was pouring concrete and helping his sons build homes until age 85.  Margaret was dedicated to her family before passing away in 2012.

Brian Goetz was the long-time owner of Perkins Office Solutions, a family business he worked in for years. A 1973 Heelan grad who died in 2010, he served on community boards, was a pilot and a cyclist, and regularly took part in RAGBRAI rides across Iowa and motorcycle rides to Sturgis. Brian was an active Heelan alum who worked on phonathons, reunions, Heelan Auction donations and more. His fund will help several high school students at Heelan.

Michael Kuehl '99 loved sports, music and the outdoors. His story-telling, contagious laugh, loyalty, generosity and wit drew people to him. Michael struggled with an addiction to alcohol that would ultimately take his life. Mike's legacy can help young people enjoy what he loved: lifelong friendships, memories; morals and values that instill generosity and loyalty, and a chance for a quality education. Two or more scholarships are awarded annually to a current sophomore or junior Heelan student.

To donate, see below. 

The Kurzak Education Scholarship was established by Jim Kurzak in appreciation of the excellent, value-based education provided to Bishop Heelan High School students. It also recognizes Heelan's vital connection with the Sioux City parishes that have helped to fund the education of students for more than 73 years. 

Margaret and Ed Lamkin were active members of Blessed Sacrament Parish. They believed in the value of Catholic education for their three children and others were strong supporters of Heelan High School. Margaret and Ed also enjoyed a quest for knowledge, discovery and life-long learning. As age 90 Margaret upgraded to a new laptop because she didn’t want to be tied down to old desktop PC. Awarded to a bright student.

Fred Lennon was a 1963 graduate of Bishop Heelan High School. He was a member of the Army's elite Special Forces Unit and a recipient of numerous commendations, including the Silver Star. On October 17, 1966, at age 22, Fred gave his life while serving our country in combat in Vietnam. This scholarship was established in his honor to benefit a Bishop Heelan Junior. Recipients are nominated by teachers and the selection committee includes Chris Bork, Heelan principal and other teachers. 

This scholarship honors Amy a 1987 graduate who was her passionate about reaching out to others before she died. Amy was involved in her parish and the community, donated to the Gospel Mission and volunteered at the Sioux City Soup Kitchen. She demonstrated a special love for the elderly, and was loving wife, mother, daughter andsister. This annual tuition scholarship is open to all incoming freshman or current underclassmen.

This scholarship was established in memory of Carrie Mach who passed away in December 2000 during her senior year at Heelan High School. Carrie fought a long battle with cancer throughout much of her life. The scholarship was established with an initial gift from Jim and Bev Wharton. Two scholarships are awarded to a high school freshman and a junior. 

The late Fr. Al McCoy, a beloved figure for years at Bishop Heelan High School, served as president of Heelan High from 1996 to 1998 and assisted administration for years after that. Fr. Al served Masses, gave afternoon announcements, interacted regularly with students, painted classrooms with the summer crew and was known for his short by pointed homilies.

A Trinity High School graduate in 1945, Roger McCoy always felt pride in his hometown of Sioux City. After he and Della met at a USO dance in the northwest, they married and settled in Sioux City where their five children attended Catholic elementary schools and graduated from Heelan. To honor their parents’ faithful commitment to Catholic education, the McCoy children have endowed a scholarship to be awarded annually to a deserving Heelan student from Holy Cross School (formerly Blessed Sacrament and St. Michael’s). It is their hope that this legacy will encourage similar commitment from other Catholic families for generations to come.

Mary Helen McElroy was a fixture playing the organ at Blessed Sacrament church for many decades while also raising 12 children just a block away. She shared her love of music with thousands of people during her years with the school and church. Her children have honored her with a scholarship to help young people pursue their passion in music during high school. Awarded to a student involved or interested in music. 

This award, funded by 1968 Heelan alumni, helps one or more students who have a single parent who wants a Catholic education for her or his child.

Awarded to a student involved in a variety of activities, this scholarship honors Norma Jean McGowan's love of life.

This fund honors Rose and Edward O'Kane's commitment to Catholic education for their children. Awarded to incoming freshmen or older students who show dedication to growing academically, spiritually and morally.

Mary Lou (Thomazin) O’Gorman '61 strongly believed in the value and importance of a Catholic education and made sure her four children received this same stellar education. She taught first grade at Sacred Heart School for 24 years and received the Diocese of Sioux City Excellence in Education Award in 2003, one of the highlights of her teaching career. At the end of every school day, Mrs. O’Gorman would say, “God bless you” to each of her students. Deserving Heelan students will feel God’s special blessing with this scholarship award.

Ray O'Neill, a member of Cathedral Parish, strongly believed that a Catholic education was the best way to prepare his children for the future. They agree and have established this scholarship in his name. Awarded to an incoming freshman or older student who shows dedication to growing academically, spiritually and morally.

Jon Olson was a dedicated business teacher who taught at Bishop Heelan for many years. Alumni today can trace their early interests in business to their classes with Mr. Olson. Olson is still part of the Heelan community today with grandchildren in the BHCS system. A former student has funded this scholarship, which is awarded to a student excelling in Heelan business classes.

This award is funded by the family and Heelan High School faculty members who taught with Barbara Peterson, a Life Skills teacher from 1990 to 1995. Peterson taught about foods, single living, home furnishings, child development, parenting and more to give students lifelong knowledge and skills. She died young of cancer while still serving on the faculty.

Jeff Poss, a 1975 Heelan grad and father of 3 Heelan grad sons, enjoyed a long successful career with Younglove Construction, where he oversaw the building process of large agricultural facilities across the country. During his time at Heelan and Iowa State, Jeff was heavily involved in ROTC, which later lead to him serving as a 1st LT in the Army Corps of Engineers. An award from this fund will help a Heelan student enrolled in ROTC or pursuing a career in engineering.

Karl Rasmussen was born in 1973, raised in Jackson, Neb., and graduated from Heelan in 1992. where he was honored as Homecoming King his senior year. He is the subject of a frequent Brendan Burchard story on character. Karl then earned a degree from Wayne State College and a Master of Science in Information Assurance from Oklahoma State University, and became a Master Sergeant with the 185th Air Refueling Wing. Throughout his life, people were drawn to Karl because of his kind and “non-judgmental” character and his genuine consideration of others. Karl drew all that knew him closer to God and heaven because of his faith. Sadly in 2021, at the age of 47, Karl passed away from pancreatic cancer. This scholarship pays tribute to Karl and continues his work of service to others. It will be awarded annually to a student attending Heelan who most closely displays the qualities that Karl did: Faith, Humility, Kindness, Strength and Genuine consideration of others. 

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Isaac Roerig, a talented music student and 2020 Heelan graduate, touched the lives of countless individuals before his unexpected passing in fall 2020. He was a percussionist in Heelan's marching band, pep band, jazz band and concert band and a performer in Chorale concert choir and Harmonia Mundi show choir.

An All-State vocalist and part of the Heelan's Homecoming royalty, Isaac was involved in numerous school organizations and activities. At Mater Dei Parish he was an altar server, cantor, youth group member and bell choir member. In college Isaac was a freshman music education major at UNI. An award from this fund will benefit a Heelan music student.

Dave Sabag was a stand-out athlete in the first class to graduate from Heelan in 1950. He went on to play baseball for the University of Iowa and played on a Yankees Farm team. An award from this fund will help a Heelan athlete or student with their tuition.

A number of Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) taught on the faculties at Bishop Heelan and the former St. Michael Elementary Schools for many years. Our Catholic School community is indebted to their dedication to teach our students with a wide variety of subjects. While these sisters, who chose a vowed life of prayer, ministry and community have all passed, their spirit lives on today with an endowed scholarship from their community of Catholic women religious based in Dubuque, Iowa. This endowed scholarship will fund awards to two 8th grade students entering their freshman year at Bishop Heelan High School who have a B average and higher. 

The Spirit of ‘75 Championship Scholarship honors the teammates of the state championship team and the fans and family members who cheered for them in the stands. This fund ensures at least two annual merit scholarship awards for qualified boy or girl athletes at Heelan.

Jim and Theresa (Bulzak) Verschoor were high school sweethearts and 1951 Heelan graduates — she, the class valedictorian, and he, an athlete and active student. They raised three Heelan grads and have grandchildren in our schools. Awarded to a student who shows effort in academics and school activities.

Wendy (Verschoor) Sanderson was a 1987 Heelan graduate who was active in music during her high school years. She went on to Iowa State University, graduate school at the University of South Dakota and a long career in businesses. A mother of four, she volunteered for scouting, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer races and for her Catholic parish and school in Eads, Tenn. With her husband, she also housed multiple exchange students from Costa Rica. Wendy’s strong Catholic faith and trust in God helped her navigate a serious cancer. This tuition scholarship is for a senior to-be who is active in multiple vocal music activities.

This award is presented to an incoming junior active in athletics and music and who has earned honor roll status.