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WORTHINGTON — The Worthington Dollars for Scholars program presented $44,000 in scholarships to 28 Worthington High School students during a Wednesday evening ceremony at the Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center.
In addition to the presentation of scholarships, the event included guest speaker Cody Henrichs, a native of Ellsworth and graduate of Luverne High School. He now leads the Minnesota West Foundation as its executive director.
Henrichs grew up one of nine children in a family of hog farmers. His dream of leaving that farm behind — to go far away and as quick as he could — led him to the University of Sioux Falls to play football and then enlistment in the U.S. Army.
While completing his basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia, Henrichs said his first week of mail call consisted of one solitary letter. It was written by his dad and was a recap of the day’s activities. That next week, and every week thereafter for some 14 weeks, Henrichs’ Sunday mail delivery consisted of seven letters from his dad — one for each day of the week.
“I can’t tell you how important it is to have that parent,” Henrichs said, noting that his mother died when he was young.
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It’s the parents who will have their kids’ back, support them in whatever they do and help them move whether it’s back and forth to college or across the country, he said.
Henrichs said his career path ultimately revolved around a dynamic high school history teacher at Luverne, Larry Nelson. After the military, he returned to college, graduating from Northwestern University in St. Paul as a non-traditional student with a young family that included two children. He then earned a presidential scholarship to attend the Rhode Island School of Design.
About a decade ago, Henrichs and his wife came to southwest Minnesota for a two-day visit, during which he was hired as a coach and art teacher at Adrian. They decided to return to their southwest Minnesota roots.
After a variety of careers in the arts, Henrichs said his work now with the Minnesota West Foundation is to create opportunities for college students. He wants for them to have the highest quality education at the lowest possible cost.
He told the scholarship recipients that life and work should never be about money, but rather, about making a difference.
“I want to know that I made a lasting impact on the places I’ve been,” he said.
Scholarships awardedThe Worthington Dollars for Scholars program has existed for more than 40 years. In addition to the donations and contributions made by local individuals and businesses, its major fundraiser is an annual golf tournament, slated this year for 3 p.m. June 17, at GreatLife Golf & Fitness, Worthington.
Anyone interested in contributing to a Worthington Dollars for Scholars scholarship is invited to email the board of directors at dfsworthingtonmn@gmail.com with any questions.
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Scholarship recipients, the college or university they plan to attend and their planned major are as follows:
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