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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Celebrating Our 2025 Brendan Melendez Memorial Scholarship Recipients

We’re proud to honor the memory of Brendan Melendez—a beloved Kroc Center lifeguard, dedicated student, and compassionate friend—by awarding this year’s scholarships to two exceptional individuals who embody his spirit of service, care, and perseverance.

Sarah served as a Kroc lifeguard and aquatic lead. She’s headed to the University of Idaho to pursue a BS in Medical Sciences and later plans to attend Lewis-Clark State College’s advanced nursing program. Her dream is to become a Labor & Delivery or an OR Nurse, making a meaningful difference in patient care.

Evie spent 3 years as a lifeguard at The Kroc and brought incredible energy to the team. She’s been accepted to Eastern Washington University, where she’ll study biochemistry and music. Higher education is a lifelong dream for Evie, and we’re thrilled to see her begin this new chapter!

This $1,000 scholarship reflects Brendan’s legacy—supporting Kroc employees with financial need who demonstrate genuine care and compassion in their work. We know he would be proud.

Please join us in congratulating Sarah and Evie!

Celebrating Excellence in Leadership & Lifelong Learning

We’re proud to announce the 2025 recipients of two meaningful scholarships that reflect the heart of The Kroc Center’s efforts to nurture leadership, encourage education, and uplift our community.

2025 Riggs Scholarship Recipients:

Adia Hite, Ashley Moss, Chief Allan, George Lavy, Kaylynn Misner, Kyle Rohlinger, Maricela Nelson, Naomi Mueller, Sara Siegler, and Sophia McGinnis-Green

These young leaders represent the future of our community, and we’re thrilled to support their educational journeys!

2025 Markham Scholarship Recipients:

Danette Hanson & Mya Gackstetter

Both recipients embody Major Ben’s legacy of service and dedication to growth through education.

Thank you to our community partner ICCU for making all of this possible! We are honored to invest in these individuals as they take the next steps in their academic and professional journeys. Your Kroc family is cheering you on!

The Dr. Riggs Leadership Scholarship

The Dr. Riggs Leadership Scholarship was created by The Salvation Army Kroc Center Executive Staff and Advisory Board to honor Jack T. Riggs, M.D. for a lifetime of leadership excellence. We wish to acknowledge and reward a high school senior for exhibiting these same leadership traits and capabilities.

CRITERIA
The Dr. Riggs Scholarship is available only to high school students who are graduating in 2025 and are enrolling in a college or technical education program. By submitting an application you confirm that you fit these qualifications. Qualified applicants must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Plans to further their formal education beyond high school
  • Examples of leadership at school, at work, at church, in the community, or within the home
  • Home address in Idaho’s five northern counties
     

BACKGROUND
Dr. Jack T. Riggs was born, raised, and continues to reside in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was a graduate of Coeur d’Alene High School, the University of Idaho, and the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Riggs has exhibited excellence in a variety of areas throughout his life.

  • Military – Served as captain in the USAF and Chief of Emergency Medical Services at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
  • Medicine – Owned and operated North Idaho Immediate Care Center, CdA’s first urgent care facilities
  • Church – Served as president of the church council at Trinity Lutheran
  • Government – Elected to serve as an Idaho state senator and appointed in 2001 to serve as lieutenant governor for the State of Idaho
  • Community – Led the capital campaign that raised $8 million for The Kroc Center
  • National Business – Served as CEO and board president of Pita Pit USA from 2005 to 2018. Under his guidance, the company grew to over 200 locations across the U.S.
     

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION & TIMELINE
The Board Development Committee of The Salvation Army Advisory Board will review applications and select up to 10 students to be notified in April 2025. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to each of the recipients.

RECOGNITION
Recipients will be notified in April 2025. The scholarship announcement will be shared with each student’s high school counseling office so that the recipient may be recognized at a spring awards ceremony. The recipient may also be featured in Kroc Center publications and social media.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Submission Deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, April 4, 2025

Major Ben Markham Continuing Education Scholarship

Majors Ben and JoAnn Markham served as officers in The Salvation Army for almost 40 years. In their final appointment, Major Ben served as the Executive Director for the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center from 2009 to 2018. It was under his leadership that The Kroc Center surpassed all expectations for membership and in service to the community.

CRITERIA
The Major Ben Markham Continuing Education Scholarship is available only to a current college/technical education program student who is a current or previous Kroc employee/volunteer OR related to a Kroc employee/volunteer. Applicants may be previous Kroc scholarship recipients. Dual enrollment students do not qualify for this scholarship. 
By submitting an application you confirm that you meet these qualifications:

  • Must be a current or previous Kroc employee or volunteer OR related to a Kroc employee/volunteer
  • Current student enrolled or student re-enrolling in a higher education or technical program
  • Demonstrate a GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Identify plans to continue higher education

BACKGROUND
The Major Benton Markham Continuing Education Scholarship was created by Dr. John Huckabay in 2019 to honor Major Ben’s vision of providing significant financial support to a deserving student pursuing a college degree or certificate. This scholarship celebrates higher education as a means to financial autonomy and growing a student’s God-given talents.

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION TIMELINE
The Board Development Committee of The Salvation Army Advisory Board will review applications and select a student to be notified in April 2025. Two scholarships up to $4,500 may be awarded to help fund tuition and education expenses.

RECOGNITION
Recipients will be notified in April 2025. The recipient may also be featured in Kroc Center publications and social media.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Submission Deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, April 4, 2025

(208) 763-0618
kip.sharbono@usw.salvationarmy.org

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Independence Day | July 3 & 4
The facility will be closed.

Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 The Kroc Center will be closed to observe Independence Day and give our employees an extra appreciation day with their families.

View all facility hours here >>