ALPENA — Following a recent Besser Foundation Trustee meeting, held electronically, Gary Dawley, Besser Foundation trustee, contacted John VanWagoner, superintendent of Alpena Public Schools, explaining the COVID-19 pandemic creates risks that cannot be overcome and therefore the annual Excellence in Education Award Dinner is being canceled.

The award dinner recognizes the top 10% of the senior graduating class of Alpena Public Schools. Students are asked to invite their family and a teacher they believe had a significant impact on their educational development and success. The students and their teachers are honored with dinner followed by presentation of a $1,000 scholarship and a Commemorative Medal to be worn at graduation. The event has been held every year since 1984 and during that time approximately 850 scholarships have been awarded for a total of more than $520,000.

Although the dinner is canceled, arrangements are being made to deliver the scholarship certificates and commencement medals to their homes safely.

According to Dawley, “This event is one way the Foundation impacts education and one most enjoyed by our Trustees. We are truly disappointed that the risks created by the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be mitigated safely for the students, parents, teachers and guests.”

Seventy-five years ago, Jesse and Anna Besser made commitments when they formed their foundation. Their vision focused financial support in areas leading to the betterment of Alpena’s social, educational, economic, spiritual, and environmental sectors. The Foundation is a private foundation located in Alpena. The focus of its grant making is primarily in Alpena and the surrounding communities for the purposes listed above. Grant proposals are accepted quarterly on a normal calendar year basis. Since inception, approximately $32,700,000 in total grants have been awarded.

For more information, contact Dawley at 989-356-6613, or dawleygary@gmail.com, or email besserfoundation@gmail.com. Reach Alpena High Principal Tom Berriman at 989-358-5300, or berrimant@alpenashools.com.