Scholarships offered through the BK Foundation

This scholarship was funded via a bequest by Albert Pagoaga, who passed away in 2017. Mr. Pagoaga was a strong believer in the value of Catholic education, and specified that this scholarship be designated to students who would otherwise not be able to attend BK without additional financial assistance.

Dr. Fran Wickham, beloved friend and long-time theology instructor at Bishop Kelly, passed away in January of 2011. She was a strong proponent of the school, and she herself was the recipient of a scholarship to attend Catholic high school. She and her husband, Jim, had two children who attended Bishop Kelly. Those who loved Fran have asked that this scholarship be established. To that end, all gifts received by Bishop Kelly in her memory will be applied to this endowed fund which will provide faith-blind, need-based assistance to students who wish to attend BK.

This scholarship was initially established by James Bruce in memory of his wife, who passed away in 2005. Lois and Jim were active supporters of Bishop Kelly and the Bishop Kelly Foundation, and their children, as well as some of their grandchildren, are all alumni of BK. Jim passed away in 2014.

Originally established by Ruby Basabe in memory of her husband, John, this scholarship is now funded by the Basabe children to honor both their mother and father who were firm believers in education.

This scholarship was established in 2021 by BK Alum (1988) Molly (nee Callanan) Widdicombe & David Widdicombe in honor of Molly’s late parents, Joe and Mary Ellen. Preference is given to students who come to BK from a Treasure Valley public school, as she and her siblings did. Molly’s siblings include BK alums Tim, Chris and Katie.

Since 1993, David and Mary Connolly have funded a scholarship in their son’s name here at Bishop Kelly, and it has recently become an endowed fund. A 1980 graduate, Michael was an academic scholar and a person of integrity with a very keen sense of humor. In 1987, passed away in a tragic automobile accident, but he will be remembered in perpetuity through this scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman from St. Joseph’s school. Nicolas (Nick) R. Ysursa attended Bishop Kelly High School from 1966-1970. He was an outstanding scholar and athlete who excelled at both. Nick attended I.S.U. upon graduating. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1974. Returning to Idaho in 1976, he received a law degree at the University of Idaho. He was tragically killed on Continental Flight 1713 on November 15, 1987. A scholarship was established in his memory in 1989. Donations are gratefully accepted to continue this annual award, many of which come from the Pi Day fundraiser held annually at St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

This scholarship was established by the children of Pat and Eloise Bieter, who were tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1999. The five Bieter children are all graduates of Bishop, as are some of the grandchildren, and their wish was to honor their parents by endowing a scholarship in their name. The family will be notified of any additional gifts made to this fund.

In 2004, Evelyn Butalla established a scholarship in memory of her son Robin Raymond. Robin attended Bishop Kelly High School and his mother wanted other students to be able to have the same opportunity for a Catholic education.

This scholarship was established by Bill and Connie Glynn in memory of their daughter, Sally Glynn, a BK alumnae who died tragically in an automobile accident at the age of 19 in 1995. The Glynns are strong believers in Catholic education, and have been involved at Bishop Kelly in many ways for almost three decades. Originally established as a scholarship to a Catholic college or university, it was later converted to a need-based scholarship for students attending Bishop Kelly.

This scholarship was established through an estate gift from longtime BK supporters Tom and Joan Cooney. The fund honors the St. Teresa Class of 1940 of which Joan was a graduate.

Vincent Galindo, an avid and beloved BK supporter and father of four Bishop Kelly alumni, died suddenly in 2014. As a tribute to Vincent and his belief in the value of Catholic education, his wife and children established a scholarship in his memory.

This scholarship was established in 2021 by James Wood in honor of his late wife, Zetta Johnson-Wood. James Wood endowed the scholarship in recognition of what would have been his 65th wedding anniversary. As the founder of Pojo’s Family Fun Center here in Boise, Idaho, he is also interested in helping the next generation because he believes that education will help ensure a strong future for our country.

The Lachiondo family has been involved at Bishop Kelly since Dave graduated in 1965, part of BK’s first graduating class. Their children, Diana and Alicia, are also alums. Dave began a career in education, eventually serving as principal of Bishop Kelly from 1989 to 2001, during which time the school’s enrollment doubled. He retired briefly in 2001, but returned to serve as president of BK from 2004 to 2010, a time of significant change at BK, when implementation of a strategic plan and a capital campaign resulted in a complete renovation of BK’s campus and doubling of the Foundation’s endowment. Even after retirement Dave and Patti continue their support and remain passionate about BK and its students. In 2018, they endowed a need-based scholarship, with the first recipient receiving the award in the 2019-2020 school year.

This scholarship was established in 2020 by the Hawkins family including parents Dan & Misty Hawkins, and their children BK alums Ashley (2002), Brittany (2004), Cody (2006), and Drew who withdrew from BK in 2006 when Dan was hired to coach football at Colorado State.

The LaMott family has funded this scholarship in loving memory of their son and father, Merle, and their mother, Doretta, both who were long-time supporters of Bishop Kelly High School. Their five sons, as well as one grandson, were all graduates of Bishop Kelly High School, and they continue to fund this scholarship through regular gifts. The family will be notified of any additional gifts made to this fund.

This scholarship was established in 2017 by Todd and Casey Lindsey during the BK2020 Vision Campaign, and the first recipients will be selected for the 2018-2019 school year. The Lindseys value the quality of a Bishop Kelly education; their eldest daughter was a 2017 Bishop Kelly graduate, and they have three other children who will graduate in the coming years. The scholarship has a need-based component, but is restricted to children of current or former active-duty U.S. military personnel.

Mark and Julie Lliteras are long-time supporters of BK, Julie (Lachiondo) having graduated in 1967. Their children, Scott and Jeff, are both alums as well. Julie was the director of the Bishop Kelly Foundation from 1999 to 2009, and during her tenure, the endowment doubled in size, the Foundation participated in a capital campaign with Bishop Kelly that completely renovated the campus, and Julie worked with donors in beginning the establishment of endowed named scholarships through the Foundation. The first distribution of awards from this fund began in 2018-2019, and scholarship will be need-based.

Mark and Vickie Daly established this scholarship in 2016, as BK was important to their family. Mark and his siblings are alums, both Mark and Vickie were passionate volunteers at Bishop Kelly and the BK Foundation, and they are the parents of three BK alums–Anna and Derek, Class of 2008, and Charlie, Class of 2010. The scholarship is need-based, with preference to students from Sacred Heart School.

This scholarship was established by Bishop Kelly supporters and past parents, Steve and Diane Marlow. They are believers in the value of a Bishop Kelly education, and founded this need-based scholarship in order to provide assistance to students who might not otherwise be able to attend. The scholarship will provide its first grant in the school year 2021-2022.

This scholarship was established by Mike and Patty Fery, parents of three BK alumni. It is need-based, and intended to help students with learning disabilities and/or are involved in athletics who qualify for financial assistance. Selection is made with the input of the BK Student Supports Services personnel and knowledge of sports activities in which the student is involved.

This scholarship was established in 2016 by Peter and Julie Oliver during the BK2020 Vision Campaign in 2017. The Olivers have four sons, one of them a Bishop Kelly student, and three are BK alums. Their hope is that this scholarship will be a legacy that continues through their children. The Olivers are strong believers of Catholic education, and have been very involved at Bishop Kelly and the BK Foundation since their children were in elementary school. Proceeds will be designated to partially support the Humanitarian Scholarship, an award to incoming freshmen from the partner schools.

This scholarship was established in 2022 by Rich and Georgiann Raimondi. Rich served as President of Bishop Kelly High School from 2011 through 2022. His intentional focus on creating positive culture at Bishop Kelly will be felt for generations in addition to the legacy left through their family scholarship. The Raimondi’s have 3 children who graduated from Bishop Kelly including Matthew (2001), Megan (2003) and Emily (2009).

This scholarship was established in 2020 by Tom Troy in honor of his family including his wife Carol (deceased), wife Geri and five children- Tim and Debra Rae-Troy, Terry Troy and Jerry Myers, Jerry and Teresa Troy, Ron and Yvette Troy, Mark and Kristen Troy. Tom is a strong supporter of the Catholic church and believes in the value of a Catholic education having sent three of his children to BK. The first distribution from this fund will be for the 2021-2022 school year and will be need based.

Established in October of 2016, the Bernard and Darlene Gratton Scholarship was founded to assist students whose families might otherwise not be able to afford for them a Bishop Kelly education, particularly those who came to BK from one of the local parish schools. Long-time benefactors of Bishop Kelly through scholarships, and strong believers in the value of Catholic education, Bernie and Darlene sought to establish an endowed fund in perpetuity. Bernie passed away in January of 2017, and had been involved with the Foundation for many years, and he and Darlene are well-known and respected in the Bishop Kelly community. Donations are gratefully accepted to continue this annual award, and the Grattons will be notified of all contributions.

This scholarship was endowed by Dorothy Aldecoa in 2008 in memory of her family and her husband’s family. She was a strong supporter of Catholic education, and wished to assist students who might not otherwise be able to attend Bishop Kelly High School.

This scholarship was established in 2021 by BK alum Andy Erstad and owner of Erstad Architects who have been involved with numerous construction projects throughout the BK campus. Andy is an alum of the Class of 1977 and is passionate about all things BK. His firm was heavily involved in the transformations of the campus completed during the BK 2020 Vision Capital Campaign.

This scholarship was endowed in 2011 by Hank McDonald, a Bishop Kelly graduate that year. Hank was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was his wish to immediately give back to Bishop Kelly by establishing a scholarship fund. The family will be notified of any additional gifts made to this fund.

- Students with learning disabilities
- Students involved in athletics

This scholarship was established by Mike and Patty Fery, parents of three BK alumni. It is need-based, and intended to help students with learning disabilities and/or are involved in athletics who qualify for financial assistance. Selection is made with the input of the BK Student Supports Services personnel and knowledge of sports activities in which the student is involved.

- Family members with a disability
Steve Gleason was an elite athlete (New Orleans Saints, 2000-2008) whose career was cut short when he was diagnosed with ALS. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife established a non-profit called Team Gleason, which raises funds to help find a cure for ALS and to help those affected by the disease. One of the members of this team was a long-time friend who had coached Steve at Gonzaga Prep, BK alum Dave Martin. Knowing that Steve valued Catholic education and was passionate about helping people with disabilities and their families, Dave established The Steve Gleason Scholarship at Bishop Kelly with funding from the Steve Gleason Initiative Foundation. This is a need-based scholarship with a secondary criteria of helping those whose lives have been financially affected by a disability affecting a member of their family.

- Students with learning disabilities
- BK Student Support Services

This scholarship was established by Mike and Susan Urquidi, parents of BK alumni, upon the passing of Susan’s father. It is intended to help students with learning disabilities who qualify for financial assistance. Selection will be made with the input of the BK Student Supports Services personnel. The Urquidi-West family also established a separate endowed fund to provide additional financial resources to the BK Student Support Services department. Donations to either of these funds are gratefully accepted.

Established in 2004 with a grant from an anonymous donor, this endowment will benefit current and future cross country teams at Bishop Kelly High School. The income from the endowment is used each year to help with expenses not covered in the athletic budget.

Jack Cilek, BK 2012, was a student at the University of Arizona, when he was diagnosed with cancer that ultimately took his life in 2014. Jack was an avid swimmer and member of the BK Swim Team. His many friends and family established an endowed scholarship in his memory that will be granted to a member of the BK swim team. The first distribution of that award was in 2016-2017. The Jack Cilek Classic, a memorial golf tournament managed by St. Luke’s Health System, provides a portion of its proceeds to the scholarship fund. Additional donations to this fund are gratefully accepted, and the family will be notified of all gifts.

Thanks to the efforts of his many friends and classmates who donated to the endowment of this fund, Joe Good, Class of BK 1971, will be remembered through this scholarship. Sports were a passion for Joe, and awards are made throughout the school years towards athletic fees for students who would otherwise find it difficult to participate. Additional donations to this fund are gratefully accepted.

This endowment was funded by a grant from an anonymous donor to benefit current and future track and field teams at Bishop Kelly High School. The income from the endowment is used each year to help with expenses not covered in the athletic budget.

The Zac McClain Memorial Scholarship was established by members of his family shortly following his passing in the spring of 2013. Zac was a BK alum, Class of 2009, and a student at the University of Idaho at the time of his death. While at Bishop Kelly, Zac was an avid lacrosse player. When determining how to best remember him, some of his many friends suggested that a scholarship be established that would provide financial assistance to students at Bishop Kelly who wish to play lacrosse. Contributions to this fund in Zac’s memory are gratefully accepted, and the family will be notified of any gifts from friends and loved ones.

This scholarship was established by Jim and Vickie Redinger, long-time supporters of Bishop Kelly and parents of BK alums Mike and Tom, and will disburse its first grant in May of 2020. Jim and Vickie wished to honor a student whose interests align with those areas that their sons, BK alum Mike and Tom, found of particular value while they were at BK as well as later in their lives. The recipient will be selected by the Redinger family after submitting an application that meets a specific list of criteria, including academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Students will be informed annually via BK communication when the application becomes available.

Tom and Joan Cooney were longtime supporters of Bishop Kelly High School. In 2015 they made a $1M gift to help fund the Fr. Fraser Library here at BK. Upon their passing they made a substantial gift from their estate to fund Academic Scholarships for students coming from the Treasure Valley Catholic Schools. Recipients of the scholarships are chosen from those students who are nominated from the pool of applicants for the full four year scholarships as incoming freshman from the Treasure Valley Catholic schools. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have gone to one of the parish partner schools to be eligible to apply and have significant financial need.