NJ-SP Alumni Provide Generous Donation for New Tutoring and Robotics Programs

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The new robotics and tutoring programs at North Judson-San Pierre received a major financial boost thanks to the Verhagen family.

School officials shared that siblings Dr. Chris Verhagen, Kirt Verhagen, and Amy Mosher recently presented a donation of more than $5,000 to NJ-SP Schools to assist with those programs.

The contribution came from the ‘Verhagen Family Fund’ which was created in memory of their father Dr. Roger C. Verhagen. The siblings also created the ‘Our Kids Excel’ fund as a way to give residents a chance to invest in the community’s future through NJ-SP students.

The ‘Our Kids Excel Fund’ will allow small community-funded grants to be provided to NJ-SP for a variety of programs and opportunities that a small school’s budget may not be able to provide.

In a previous school board meeting, Kirt shared that in addition to providing more opportunities for local students, adding these programs to the curriculum may be a differentiator for NJ-SP that will entice families to choose North Judson as a place to reside.

Starke County Community Foundation Development Director Jessica Martinovic, Tutoring Program Coordinator Holly Russell, Callie Johnson (tutoring student), Dr. Chris Verhagen, Amy Mosher, Kirt Verhagen, Gabe Brazauskas (robotics team), Robotics Team Coach Robert Eberhardt, Lilly Cole (tutoring student), Taytum Chessor, Molly Madsen (both robotics team), Leland Risner (tutoring student) and NJ-SP Superintendent Annette Zupin.
Photo and Caption Source: Conncepts Marketing Services Rep Brad Conn

Both funds were established through the Starke County Community Foundation. You can donate to the fund online by visiting nicf.org, clicking Donate and then selecting ‘Our Kids Excel Fund’ when you’re asked to designate your gift.

Donations may also be mailed. Checks should be made out to NICF and mailed to P.O. Box 807, Rochester, IN, 46975. Be sure to put ‘Our Kids Excel!’ in the memo line.

If you have any questions, contact the Starke County Community Foundation at 574-772-3665 or visit their North Judson office, located at 302 Keller Avenue.