Struna Family Scholarship

This Scholarship is funded by donations made by the Struna family in the memory of Frank and Margret Struna.

The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Franklin Pierce High School or Washington High School.

• All graduating seniors of Franklin Pierce and Washington High Schools are to be considered for this scholarship.
• The recipient may attend a college, university, or vocational school.
• The student must have shown grit in persevering through life’s trials. Trials may include, but are not limited to, immigrating to the United States, caring for a family member with long-term or chronic illness or injury, moving frequently, providing for their family, etc.
• When applicable, preference is to be given to a graduating senior intending to pursue a career in the military upon completion of their post-secondary education.

Each school’s scholarship committee will select a nominee for this scholarship and submit the name to the Foundation. Members of the Struna family will then examine the applications of each of the nominees and select the recipient. The nominee not selected will be the alternate and the scholarship shall be awarded to that individual if the primary award winner does not meet the requirements of the scholarship.

Franz Josef Struna arrived in the United States at the age of five. His family had to flee Austria to avoid capture by the Nazis. Upon his arrival in the United States his parents changed his name to Frank Joseph Struna, to be more American. As a teenager, he enlisted in the Army, where he served for 28 years, making Master Sergeant upon retirement. He was a decorated soldier who served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a proud patriot.

Margret Schwarz’s first memories as a kindergartner in Germany was running to a bomb shelter. Rationings, violence, and fear dominated her family’s life until the end of World War II. At the age of 25 Margret met Frank, her “American”. They had three children; Nancy, Richard, and Michele. They were married for 55 years.

On January 8, 2019, Margret passed away from lung cancer. Frank followed her almost nine months later on October 6, 2019 from pulmonary fibrosis.

Despite their early trials growing up, they persevered and made a life for their family. This scholarship represents the legacy they left behind for their children and grandchildren. A legacy of love, dedication, and the grit to persevere life’s trials.

• Receipt of a completed Scholarship Acceptance Form will hold this scholarship for the student. The scholarship can be held no longer than 16 months after June 30th of the year of graduation from high school.
• Upon receipt of Proof of Enrollment Form including a student ID number, funds will be released to the institution in the name of the student.