North Tama Dollars for Scholars Receives National Award

Dec 19, 2025 

North Tama Telegraph

Teresa Keefe-O'Meara

Special to the Telegraph

 

TRAER - "What an exciting call I got last month from Scholarship  America, the national parent group of                                                                                                                                    Dollars for Scholars!"  exclaimed Marilyn Bauch, vice president of North Tama Dollars for Scholars (NTDFS),                                                                                                                                        earlier this year. The phone call informed Bauch NTDFS had been chosen to receive the inaugural Dr. Irving                                                                                                                                Fradkin Community Impact Award, a national award given for making a difference in the community.  North Tama                                                                                                                                Schools was selected largely due to the NTDFS scholarships recognizing and emphasizing skills and trades in                                                                                                                                     addition to four-year degree programs.

In the November issue of InTouch, Scholarship America states, "Since its establishment in 2019, NTDFS has                                                                                                                                      shown dedication and tireless efforts to help break down financial barriers and empower students to achieve                                                                                                                                 their dreams. … Nearly half of the scholarships are dedicated specifically for  students pursuing certifications                                                                                                                                  ensuring that students on all education and career pathways are supported by their community."

Marilyn and her husband Jared Bauch spearheaded NTDFS's founding in 2019.  Using money gifted by her late                                                                                                                              father, Robert Plattenberger, Marilyn and Jared funded the initial investment of $100,000. Marilyn stated her father                                                                                                                      would have loved a college education, but was a child of the Depression. With his lifelong love of learning,                                                                                                                                Marilyn's gift honors her father's commitment to learning by assisting others in achieving their educational goals.

"He saved it and built this money over so long, I couldn't spend it, so it will go to educating the youth of North                                                                                                                            Tama," Marilyn explained.

Jared noted the initial $100,000 investment has grown an endowment that will allow this important support of                                                                                                                                       North Tama students to continue well into the future.

In the six years since it started, NTDFS has awarded $197,500 to 110 North Tama students who continue their                                                                                                                                    post high school educations at Iowa schools.  The scholarships of $1,000 are renewable and are awarded to                                                                                                                                  any qualifying North Tama student.

Jared and Marilyn were scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on Nov. 12, 2025, as part                                                                                                                                    of the second annual Irving Innovation Awards, but the event was cancelled due to airport safety concerns                                                                                                                                        stemming from the recent government shutdown. They were honored at the November NTDFS board meeting.

"This is a COMMUNITY AWARD! You all made it happen from the generous support of volunteers, businesses,                                                                                                                                  reunion classes, North Tama staff members, individuals and the NTDFS board. Not a single corporation nor                                                                                                                                      celebrity helped with this. It was all local connections who made this happen,"  Marilyn said as part of her and                                                                                                                            Jared's acceptance of the award.

 

Fall 2025 Fund Raising Letter

North Tama Dollars for Scholars receives Cizek memorials

NORTH TAMA TELEGRAPH August 8, 2025

North Tama Dollars for Scholars recently received a pair of memorials from Jackie Cizek in honor of her husband

Delane "Dempsey" Cizek, a North Tama Class of 1969 graduate, and her brother-in-law Dallas Cizek, Class of 1966.

Dempsey owned and operated Cizek Manufacturing and Distributing, a family business established in Clutier in 1911.

 

2025 Spring Alumni Letter