Annexstad Family Foundation in the News

Turning Obstacles into Opportunity

Winona State Univeristy (WSU) students are well known to be bright, hardworking, and dedicated to their education. While each one comes from a different background with a different story to tell, there are some who have faced obstacles harder than most. There are some who may have once thought achieving a college degree seemed unattainable given their life circumstances. However, when others step up and help them achieve success, it not only changes their lives but also instills in them the desire to do the same for others.

WSU student Jessica Harvey Rigby experienced a tumultuous childhood. Her mother, a drug addict, committed suicide when Jessica was just eight years old. When she was 14, her half-sister passed away from leukemia. Her father, an abusive alcoholic suffering from PTSD, also died of leukemia a couple years later. While she spent some time living with relatives, she also spent a period of time living in shelters and foster care. “The experiences in my life could have broken me down irrevocably,” Jessica says. “Instead, I have chosen to let them make me courageous and determined to succeed.” She has since discovered a passion in caring for others, and is working towards achieving her bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in child advocacy, with hopes of being able to work with children in some way.

Crystal Becker also had parents who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, both spending time in prison. Her mother passed away in 2008, and she no longer has contact with her father. While she now has a steady family life with her stepmother, she was unable to afford college on her own. So when she learned she was chosen as the recipient of a scholarship at Winona State that would allow her to graduate debt-free, she says, “I cried, immediately feeling a huge amount of stress lifting off my shoulders.” During her difficult childhood, school was Crystal’s safe haven, her fifth-grade teacher – her rock. As a result, her dream is to become a teacher and inspire children the same way her teacher inspired her.

Zaria Smith never saw herself attending college. Although she ultimately changed her mind in order to set an example for her 13 brothers and sisters, she found herself independent after graduating high school, and attending college seemed impossible. About receiving a life-changing scholarship to attend WSU, she says, “this opportunity has driven me further. I feel like I have someone in my corner rooting for me, and that I am not going through this alone.” As a psychology and communications: leadership and advocacy major with a Spanish minor, Zaria plans to attend graduate school to become a guidance counselor. She has been inspired to give back as soon as she is able and hopes to change the world by positively impacting those she meets.

What these three inspiring young women have in common, aside from difficult backgrounds, is that they are all recipients of the Leaders for Tomorrow scholarship at WSU, provided by the Annexstad Family Foundation.

The scholarship helps “exceptionally bright and accomplished students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have overcome extraordinary hardship in their young lives and who have little or no means to pay for college.” The ultimate goal is to allow each scholar to graduate with little to no debt. Working together in close partnership, the University and the Annexstad Family Foundation secure the funds so the goal of graduating debt-free can truly be realized for each Annexstad scholar. For their part, students must continue to fulfill the three requirements of the scholarship: to be enrolled as a full-time student, continue to meet WSU’s academic standards, and stay on track to graduate.

“We thank the Annexstad Family Foundation for their support of these well-deserving students at Winona State,” says WSU President Scott Olson. “These students have shown the promise and perseverance to one day become chosen leaders in their field and, with the help of the Leaders for Tomorrow scholarship, are realizing futures they never thought possible and learning the importance of giving back. Together, we’re all working to improve our world.”

Full story can be found on the Winona State University website

Rising Star Award: Jessica Harvey-Rigby

Jessica Harvey-Rigby received the Rising Star Award during the Student Leadership and Involvement award ceremony. Campus and community came together to congratulate the students, organization advisors, and clubs/organizations who were nominated for eight Student Leadership and Involvement Awards. Their work this year truly helped make a difference in the lives of students and the Winona State University community. All nominees were recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, April 27 with a small reception afterwards in the Atrium. These awards were presented by the Alliance of Student Organizations, WSU Student Senate, and the Warriors L.E.A.D. Series.

Photo: Jessica Harvey-Rigby (2016 Leaders for Tomorrow Scholar) and Jen Jonsgaard (Winona State University Foundation Scholarship Coordinator)

From One Family to Another

Family establishes scholarship to help members of the Clemson family achieve their dreams.

A college degree is one of the most valuable tools to success, but now more than ever young adults are faced with obstacles ultimately limiting their chances of achieving this dream.

Clemson joined the Annexstad Family Foundation’s Leaders for Tomorrow national scholarship program in 2016, with the scholarship awarded to Xavier Smith ’20, a McColl, S.C. native. The high school senior was overjoyed to learn that he was Tigertown Bound. However, in addition to a feeling of joy also came a feeling of apprehension. How would the cost of his college education be covered?

The Leaders for Tomorrow scholarship was an unforgettable surprise to Smith. “I was really excited when I found out I received it. I called my entire family, and they got excited, too,” he said.

“The first day I got to Clemson, I was so excited. My roommate is one of my friends from high school, and we spent the day walking around campus meeting new people. Without the Annexstad Family Foundation Scholarship, I wouldn’t be here right now having these moments,” he said.

Xavier Smith ’20

Smith never watched much college football prior to coming to Clemson, but that has certainly changed since becoming a Tiger. He has developed a strong love for Clemson football and is happy to say the team won the 2016 College Football National Championship his freshman year.

In addition to campus activities, the scholarship is guiding the biochemistry major along the path to achieving his dreams of going into the medical field. Smith is currently considering both neurology and pharmacy and is thankful for the opportunity to do so.

Like Al and Cathy Annexstad, Smith isn’t letting his past hardships stop him from achieving his goals, and it’s important that those who face similar situations do the same.

“We are delighted that Clemson has chosen to partner with us,” noted co-founder Al Annexstad. “Young people like Xavier represent a huge reservoir of future leaders for the country. We wish him well.”

Thanks to the Annexstad family’s generosity, the financial burden for many young students across the country has been lifted. “To anyone who is experiencing or has overcome a challenging upbringing, there are programs out there,” Smith said. “They want to help you further your education. They know it’s hard for you and will help you in any way possible.”

Full story can be found on the Clemson University website