A Pierre couple who has taught thousands young people during the last 54 years is now being honored with the establishment of a scholarship fund in their names.
The Jay & Beverly Mickelson Scholarship Fund has been established by their former students and colleagues. The yearly scholarship will be a permanent endowment to help T.F. Riggs High School graduates with their university, college or vocational studies.
Dr. Murray Thompson, one of the scholarship organizers and a Riggs graduate, said the impact of the Mickelsons on this community and the students they have taught cannot be truly measured. He said this is their chance to thank the Mickelsons for all they’ve done over the years.
Bev Mickelson started teaching in Pierre in 1969. Jay began teaching in Pierre as Bev’s student teacher in 1970 and then started full time teaching in 1971. Bev taught German and eighth grade U.S History for nine years. Jay taught high school German, Latin, Western Civilization, History, Mythology, English and Theater for 49 years. Together, the Mickelsons have taught almost 6,000 students.
The Mickelsons have organized the criteria for the scholarship, which is being managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation. The first scholarships are expected to be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic school year.
Thompson says Jay and Bev want the focus of this scholarship to be for those students who normally don’t qualify for a high academic scholarship, but who still deserve a meaningful scholarship. He said this scholarship is a testament to the Mickelsons’ belief of ‘not giving back, but loving forward.’
The Mickelsons’ impact also has been felt outside the classroom. The two have been active in Pierre’s First United Methodist Church, Pierre Players and other organizations.
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