Steven R. Gerth Memorial Scholarship

The Steven R. Gerth Memorial Scholarship is created to give assistance to students who aspire to teach, have a passion for learning, desire to energize young minds and seek to become a distinguished teacher.

Criteria

Each applicant must be a graduate from a Minnesota high school
Each applicant must be a Junior status by the fall of the year when receiving the scholarship award
Each applicant must be enrolled full-time (i.e., minimum of twelve credits per semester) at Winona State University
Each applicant must be a declared English Education teaching major at Winona State University

Biography/Motivation

Steven R. Gerth was born on November 4, 1940, near Lamberton, MN. He graduated from Mankato High School and attended Mankato State College where he received a degree in education. While attending college, he met Nancy Verschoor. They were married on September 22. 1962.
Steve began his teaching career in Jackson, Minnesota. He and Nancy had two daughters, Andrea (Gerth) Essar and Jennifer Gerth. In 1968, Steve was offered a teaching position at Technical High School in St. Cloud, MN. In 1970, Apollo High School opened and Steve was a member of the English department’s original staff. His passion was working with at-risk students and creating curriculum to meet their needs.
In addition to his teaching duties, he was an advisor to Bacchanal, the school’s creative magazine that showcased students’ writing, poetry, and art. He coached both the cross country team and the girls’ softball team. Steve loved teaching so much that even in his retirement, he spent many days substitute teaching.
Steve enjoyed his creative writing group, where he found inspiration to author many wonderful poems and short stories. He also enjoyed volunteering for the DFL office and the St. Cloud Great River Regional Library. He loved his monthly Tuesday night poker group and playing tennis for the Ball Busters. He loved playing with his grandchildren, Mitchell Essar, Hannah Essar, Raef Eddins, and Riley Eddins.
Together, Steve and Nancy enjoyed bike trips, traveling, music, art, books, fine foods, and Elder Hostels. On February 8, 2006, Steve and Nancy were killed in an automobile accident while traveling to Jekyll Island, Georgia.