Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarship
Helping Graduates Who Demonstrate Character, Need, and Determination
“My father was always trying to help the little guy. In his memory, we are continuing his legacy by helping the people in need of help who are continuously working to grow personally and professionally.”
– Ed Gaffney, son of Bernard F. Gaffney
The Bernard F. Gaffney Scholarship Fund was established in 2000 to honor the memory of Mr. Gaffney, who was the principal of Houghton High School from 1937 to 1961 and the Superintendent of Houghton-Portage Township Schools from 1961 to 1966. Mr. Ted Gaffney, along with a group of alumni from the Class of 1947, has been instrumental in establishing and promoting the scholarship fund. The purpose of the fund is to help students or graduates who demonstrate character, need, and determination to achieve their specific educational or training goals.
Scholarship Recipients
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2023 Recipient - Quinn Fontaine
The 2023 Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Quinn Fontaine! Quinn attended the Advanced Welding Institute.
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2022 Recipients
Due to issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarship was not awarded in 2020 or 2021, but in 2022 the fund awarded thirteen scholarships.
Pictured below, from top left: Quinn Aho, Elise Erva, Micaela Geborkoff, Madison Golde, Seth Hyslop, Kricia Jenkins, Brina Kirkpatrick, Olivia Merriman, Elise Polkinghorne, Logan Sandell, Ingrid Seagren, Cassandra Steffensen, and Seo Jun Yoon.
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2019 Recipients
The 2019 scholarship recipients were Alex Pera, Anabel Needham, George Butvilas, and Arianna Pugh (left to right). Presented by John Sanregret, KCF Board Chair.
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2016 Recipients
The 2016 scholarship recipients were Maia Barnhart (left), Taryn Kaurala (center), and Antoni Olszewski (right).
Maia attended Gogebic Community College to study nursing. Taryn attended Gogebic Community College to study business. Antoni attended Northern Michigan University to study automotive service technology.
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2015 Recipients
The 2015 scholarship recipients were Callie Aittama (left) and Kayla Jacobson (right). Awards were presented by Jim Vivian, then KCF Executive Director.
Callie attended Eastern Michigan University to pursue her degree in nursing or social work. Kayla attended Michigan State University to pursue her nursing degree.
Donate to the Scholarship Fund
By supporting the Bernard F. Gaffney Memorial Scholarship Fund, you help maintain and grow a significant scholarship award available to higher education students in your community.
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