Published on June 2, 2025 3:12 pm
Last Updated on June 2, 2025 3:13 pm
(DIETERICH SENIOR BREANNA KLEIN AND CHEF DE GARE RALPH ROUNDS)
Every year the Effingham County 40 & 8, V-1439 presents Nurse’s Training Scholarships to select Effingham County High School Seniors. This year one student was from Dieterich High School and the other was from St. Anthony High School.
Dieterich Senior Breanna Klein and St. Anthony Senior Jacqueline Niebrugge received their scholarships from Chef de Gare (Commander) Ralph Rounds. The scholarships are normally $1,200 over three years but due to a generous donation from the Effingham County Marine Corps League the scholarships are now $3,000.
The scholarships are named as a “Memorial Scholarships” to honor deceased members of the Effingham Co 40 & 8. This year the scholarships were named in honor of Leon Barnes & Burrell Boyer.
Klein’s scholarship was named for in honor of Leon Barnes. Leon Barnes had served in the United States Navy. Mr. Barnes would mostly be known in Effingham County for his work as a Veterans Service Officer working through the Effingham County Veteran Advisory Committee. He greatly enjoyed serving his fellow veterans. Leon was a member of the 40 & 8 for many years.
(ST. ANTHONY SENIOR JACQUELINE NIEBRUGGE AND CHEF DE GARE RALPH ROUNDS)
Niebrugge’s scholarship was named in honor of Burrel D. Boyer. Burell Boyer served in the United States Army reaching the rank of Specialist 5. His service was during the Vietnam Era and he worked as a Supply Quarter Master from 1962 – 1969. Like Mr. Barnes, Mr. Boyer was a member of the 40 & 8 for many years.
Breanna is planning to attend Eastern Illinois University and is the daughter of Jim & Julie Klein. Jacqueline is planning on attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is the daughter of Ken & Diana Niebrugge. These two young ladies are the 119th & 120th scholarship recipients of the Nurse’s Training Scholarship.
