Celebrating Youth Scholarships and New Opportunities
Columbia, MO – The Columbia Track Club (CTC) has a rich history of supporting young athletes in the community through its scholarship initiatives. From 1988 to 2021, CTC awarded the Joe Marks Youth Scholarship, providing $1,000 annually to deserving high school students who demonstrated commitment to track and field or cross country. To qualify, students needed to be active members of CTC and contribute by volunteering at various running and walking events.
The funding for these scholarships came from club memberships, club-sponsored events, and generous private donations, allowing CTC to foster the development of young athletes and encourage community involvement.
In 2022, CTC expanded its commitment to youth development by establishing the Columbia Track Club – Blue Thunder Track Club Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of Central Missouri (CFCM). This fund aims to provide scholarships to members of both the Columbia Track Club and the Blue Thunder Track Club, further promoting athletic excellence and community engagement.
Help Fund Scholarships: Donation Guidelines
Individuals interested in contributing to this scholarship fund can make a donation by check, noting “For CTC/BTTC Scholarship Fund” in the memo section. Checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation of Central Missouri and sent to:
Community Foundation of Central Missouri
PO Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Donations are irreversible but qualify for a charitable tax deduction. CFCM manages the funds, makes investments, issues statements, sends applications to schools, and disburses scholarship funds to recipients.
*For more information about the Community Foundation of Central Missouri, visit their website or contact them.
Previous Recipients of the Blue Thunder Track Club Scholarship Fund (2021-2024)
2024: Emma Hagen (aka Lukas Hagen), Dominic Viet, Sean Keys, Zachary Wright, Ava Beary, Andrew Hauser
2023: Katy Parcell, Kaela Belmore, Keylan Horn, Alison Harris, Olivia Andrews, Quentin Herman
2022: Will Cherrington, Eliette Orr
*2021: The new fund was established in late 2021, so nothing was awarded for the Academic Year 2021-22.
Previous Recipients of the Joe Marks Youth Scholarship (1988 -2021)
The CTC is proud to highlight the achievements of past recipients of the Joe Marks Youth Scholarship. Here is a list of those who were honored from 1988 to 2021:
2021: Drew Freeman, Matthew Hauser
2020: Nathan Forck, Marissa Kraus
2019: Rachel Edidin
2018: Caroline Stevens
2017: Samuel Baumer, Rebecca Rubinstein
2015: Lucas Harrington, Alexander Keneipp
2014: Zach Cook, Madison May
2013: Nicole Mello
2012: Jordan Cook, Devin Sander, Danica Shimkus, Connor Gundy
2011: Erin Occena, Adelyn Myers, Grady Harrington, Griffin Humphreys
2009: Emma Myers, Colin McDonald
2008: Ben Keown, Melea Shimkus
2007: Joshua Mantooth
2006: Zachary Chapman, Hannah Hassemer
2005: Jimmy Keown, Elizabeth Cohen, Ian McLeod, Kurt Schauwecker, Steve Shimkus
2004: Jeff Haddock, Ellen Pagan, Anne Case-Halferty, Katie McInvale
2003: Nathan Smith, Jessica Stobie
2001: Dawn McGavock
2000: Matt Tanner, Rachel Williams
1999: Sarah Williams, Angie Stobie, Steve Pagan
1998: Kristi Reams
1997: Katie Bihr, Melissa Pagan, Jimmy Rambur, Christian Reed
1996: Brigitta Hessler, Nick Smith
1995: Monica Lewis, Brandon Beissenherz, Christian Reed
1994: Dean Brown, Josh Johnson, Jenni Cordia, James Padfield, Jeff Jasperse
1993: Tom Smith
1990: Scott Middlestadt
1989: Scott Middlestadt
1988: Scott Middlestadt, Steve Linsenbardt
The Columbia Track Club is proud to support the youth of our community through these scholarships, fostering a passion for athletics and community service among young runners and walkers.