Foundation Funds Life-Changing Opportunities for Wisconsin Dells High School Students

On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation (WDEF) hosted its 15^th annual Golf for the Future event at Trappers Turn Golf Club and Wild Rock Golf Club. This year’s event raised over $2.5 million to help fund endowed scholarships for local Wisconsin Dells High School students, opening doors for them to attend accredited post-secondary education programs after graduation.

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Wisconsin Dells High School Marching Band students opened the 15th annual Golf for the Future dinner with a live musical performance. The event brought together more than 900 dinner guests, and raised over $2.5 million in a single day in sponsorships, live and silent auctions, and more.

Golf for the Future began as a fundraiser for the Wisconsin Dells High School music department, but the community’s generosity quickly turned into something bigger, ultimately leading to the creation of WDEF. Over the past 15 years, the foundation has remained focused on its mission to ensure every student who aspires to post-secondary education has the financial support to get there, awarding nearly $2.9 million in scholarships to local graduates.

“It’s an incredible honor to support our graduating seniors as they take the next steps in their educational journeys,” said Kelly Bauer, President of the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation and Vice President of the Bank of Wisconsin Dells. “Awarding over $600,000 this year reflects the deep commitment our community has to its students. We’re excited to continue building a legacy of opportunity, thanks to the ongoing generosity of local families and businesses.”

For this year’s event, the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation partnered to create five new endowments. The Foundation now offers 110 total endowments created by families, organizations, and businesses in the Wisconsin Dells community.

The new endowments include:

• Bo Hopkins Memorial – Created in memory of Bo Hopkins, this scholarship celebrates students who excel on and off the field – recognizing multisport athletes who demonstrate commitment to both their teams and their hometown through community involvement.
• JVD Memorial sponsored by LGAI - Established to honor the life and legacy of Joey Van Dinter, a beloved local, this scholarship supports students who embody his spirit of service and sportsmanship through athletic participation and volunteer work.
• Morning Walk - Designed to nurture the next generation of innovators, this award celebrates students with a passion for creativity and originality. The inaugural scholarship will be granted next year.
• WDEF Computer Science Department - Supports students who show exceptional growth within the school’s computer science program and encourages them to showcase their achievements through a portfolio, presentation, and interview process.
• WDEF World Language Department - Recognizes students committed to expanding their world view through the study of language and culture, with recipients selected through a similar portfolio and interview-based process.

In addition to funding scholarships, the Golf for the Future event raised money for the “Fund A Need” initiative, which provides free breakfast to Wisconsin Dells students.

“After learning from the school district that many students were starting their day without breakfast, we knew it was an important gap to fill,” continued Bauer. “We’re immensely fortunate to have the resources and community support to offer breakfast to any student who needs it - no questions asked. Last school year, we were able to help fund over 113,500 breakfasts.”

For more information about the Golf for the Future event, the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation, or to donate, please visit www.wdhsfoundation.org.

About the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation

Established in 2011, the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation raises, invests, and distributes scholarship funds for the benefit of Wisconsin Dells High School graduates. The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide all Wisconsin Dells students wishing to pursue post-secondary education with the financial support to do so. For more information about the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation, please visit www.wdhsfoundation.org.

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