TRAER – Thanks to the late Ernie and Margaret Herink of Traer, North Tama High School seniors will now have one more sizable scholarship opportunity.

The Herink family is offering a North Tama senior a $5,000 scholarship to attend Coe College in Cedar Rapids. The scholarship – available through North Tama Dollars for Scholars – is renewable for up to four years, holding a total value of up to $20,000.

“Combined, the education and experiences [at Coe] allow Kohawks to build a robust resume and professional network before graduating, creating an advantage for Coe graduates to succeed,” Julie Staker (Class of 1993), Coe’s Senior Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Institutional Effectiveness, said in a news release. “I want to thank the Herinks for their generosity in creating this opportunity specifically for a local student.”

Per the news release, Ernie and Margaret Herink deeply appreciated education and community. Five of the Herinks’ seven children earned their bachelor’s degrees at Coe College. The Herinks’ children include: Craig (B.A. Coe College; MBA Duke University), Kent (B.A. Coe College; M.S. University of Iowa; JD University of Iowa), Cheryl (B.A. University of Northern Iowa), Karen (B.A. Coe College; MBA University of Chicago), Cindy (B.A. Coe College), Kevin (B.S. Iowa State University) and Christine (B.A. Coe College).

“A degree from Coe means you have developed valuable skills through a deeper level of learning. You’ll be able to think critically, communicate clearly and problem solve creatively because of the individual development and range of opportunities you’ll experience,” Kent Herink said in the news release. Kent, a member of the North Tama High School Class of 1972, is a Coe College Board of Trustee and 1976 graduate.

The recipient of the Herink Family Scholarship must be accepted to Coe before March 1, and enroll at Coe for the Fall 2025 term.

North Tama seniors can apply for the scholarship by going to northtama.dollarsforscholars.org, using the Student and Parent Login, and beginning a Student Profile. The Herink Family Scholarship as well as all other North Tama Dollars for Scholars scholarships open January 1, 2025, and close March 1, 2025.