IOWWA Scholarship

The Iowa Onsite Wastewater Association is offering a scholarship to:
1. A high school senior wanting to attend a college or a trade school on a part-time (minimum 6 credit hours per quarter or semester) or full-time basis.  
2. A student attending college or a trade school on a part-time (minimum 6 credit hours per quarter or semester) or full-time basis, planning on continuing their education the following year.

You are eligible if you are a student and an IOWWA member or related to an IOWWA member (primary or associate member) and attending or planning on attending a college or trade school.  Scholarships are awarded one time only per individual. 

A portion of your membership dues, $5.00, goes directly into the scholarship program.  We would also like to thank the following donors for providing $500.00 scholarships for the 2025-2026 Scholarship Program -

Cam Spray
Des Moines Winsupply
Headwater Wholesale
Moorman Construction Inc. (two)
Municipal Supply 
Ziegler CAT

NOTE:  The Scholarship Application for the 2026-2027 school year is available for download in the "Documents and Files" listing at the bottom of this page.   Or email  penny@iowwa.com and request a copy of the application.    Scholarship applications should be submitted to IOWWA by April 15, 2026.

1. Completed Application
2. Letters of Recommendation (2) - two letters from a non-relative such as your employer (past or present), educator (teacher or counselor), mentor, who can best articulate your qualities must accompany the scholarship application.
3. School Transcripts
4. Headshot photo of yourself (IOWWA will use for publication, 130 dpi or greater, email with application).

2025-2026 SCHOLARSHIPS

Peyton Cota, recent graduate of Cedar Falls High School, will attend the University of Iowa as a business major this fall with a focus on marketing. In high school Peyton was a four-year letter winner in track and field and a one-year letter winner in volleyball, as well as captain of her club volleyball team, where she participated for eight years. With a GPA of 3.97, Peyton has been involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, DECA business club and Women’s Leadership. Peyton plans to work part time while attending college, just as she did in high school when employed at Big Acai, George’s Local and HomeGoods. She’s described as a standout student of remarkable character, leadership, intellectual curiosity and exceptional interpersonal skills. The daughter of Lindsay and Clinton Cota, Peyton is the granddaughter of Roger Swales, Swales Precast of Strawberry Point.

Chace Gaetzke will continue pursuing a construction management degree at the University of Northern Iowa this fall after a summer internship at Dean Snyder Construction in Clear Lake. His entrepreneurial goal of owning his own construction business includes being community-oriented to positively impact others by employing aspiring high school students with the opportunities he received in the industry. A 2024 graduate of Lake Mills Senior Hill School with a GPA of 3.582, Chace this past year earned a 3.56 GPA at UNI where he plays intramural sports and is a member of the Construction Management Club. He’s worked part time at Gaetzke Concrete in Northwood learning a variety of skills since 2020. While in high school Chace was a member of the National Honor Society and academic all-conference in football, basketball and baseball. He also was football captain and first team all-conference. Kathleen and Ryan Gaetzke of KR Septic Services in Kensett are Chace’s parents.

Adeline Krotz has her sights on pre-medicine/pre-dentistry at the University of Iowa in preparation for obtaining her D.D.S. from the U of IA’s College of Dentistry. A 2025 graduate of Highland High School in Riverside ( 3.98 GPA), Adeline was an officer in the National Honor Society; a class officer (all four years); captain of the drill/dance, golf and volleyball teams; choreographer for two musicals; student ambassador at Kirkwood Community College; and an active member of Future Business Leaders of America. A committed volunteer (more than 230 hours), Adeline has been a camp counselor for special needs adults and children, as well as volunteered for ImpactLife blood drives, the National Disabled Veterans golf event and many other acts of service. She’s also worked at Old 218 Tap and Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. Adeline is the daughter of Lyndsay Wilkinson Krotz of Riverside (Wilkinson Precast) and Dan Krotz of Hills.

Kaden Leichty, recent graduate of WACO Community School District, will attend Kirkwood Community College this fall full time with a focus on business management. Once finished with his associates degree Kaden plans on coming back home and working for his father and eventually taking over the family business Leichty & Son Construction. Kaden attends Sugar Creek Church youth group. Where they have a get together and do bible study on most Sundays. When Kaden isn’t in school, he works for his dad. Weekends normally involve going hunting, racing motorcross, snowboarding and spending time with family and friends. Elizabeth and Kurt Leichty of Leichty & Son Construction in Mount Pleasant are Kaden’s parents.

Reese Lucas, 2025 graduate of Indianola High School ( 3.769 GPA), plans to be with the Air National Guard this fall doing basic training and start as a pre-med major in the spring at Wartburg College. By taking AP classes and college courses while in high school, she’ll begin college as a junior or second semester sophomore. Attending medical school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and becoming a medical plastic surgeon are her post-college intentions. In high school Reese was involved in girls golf, theatre/drama, debate/speech, FCCLA, girls swimming, FFA, 4-H and youth group. Her love of sewing, design and crafting served her well as head of theatre costumes in 2023. As an employee at ProImage Sign and Lighting, she continued to use her stitching and design skills as she learned all aspects of vinyl printing for custom vinyl pieces and large fabric signs. Vickie and Van Lucas, Indianola Precast/Agri-Tech are Reese’s parents.

Abigail Meyer graduated with a 3.99 GPA from Baxter Community High School in 2025. She also took courses from Des Moines Area Community College and plans to pursue a career in nursing first with an associate degree from Kirkwood Community College, followed by a B.S. from the University of Iowa. Her long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner. In high school Abigail was involved in student council and National Honor Society. She served as captain of volleyball, basketball and cheer at her school and was the #1 golfer. Additionally, Abigail was captain of Ohana’s Volleyball Club and IPVA Volleyball Club. Being an elementary school mentor/paraprofessional and a middle school tutor kept her engaged in the lives of others, as did her volunteer activities with Des Moines Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic, Danny Kunkle Construction, Growing Greatness Learning Center and Baxter Rec. Additionally, she worked as a CNA at Park Centre-A WesleyLife Community in Newton. Her parents are Deborah Joy and Troy Terry Meyer of Baxter. (Moorman Construction Scholarship)

Charlee Morton, 2025 graduate of Hampton-Dumont-Cal High School with a 3.96 GPA, will attend Iowa State University to major in kinesiology for pre-physical therapy. Active in volleyball (captain and academic all-state), basketball (academic all-state), softball and track and field (captain, elite, all-state and Drake Relays champion in two events), she is a three-time Class 3A state high school shot put and two-time discus champion. Charlee will continue her track and field career at ISU. A member of National Honor Society, student council and large group speech, Charlee has worked at the Hampton Aquatic Center in the summer as a lifeguard, swim instructor and swim coach. Local families count on her for babysitting services, too. She’s the daughter of Sara and Brandon Morton, Mort’s Water Company of Latimer.

Sam Ogden earned a 3.673 GPA at West Delaware High School and will attend Kirkwood Community college to study industrial management technology. He intends to continue to work in the family business, Oasis Well & Pump, to further learn about well drilling, pump and septic installation, excavation and company management. One day — as a certified well driller, pump installer and with CIOWTS certification — he hopes to follow in family footsteps and manage and own the business. In high school Sam was involved in FFA, baseball (academic all-conference and other awards), football (district academic honors) and National Honor Society. A leader in local 4-H, Sam also helped at sports camps, youth games and outfield maintenance. He’s worked as a laborer for his family’s firm during the school year and summers, as well as with calves at Big Foot Ranch. Tracy and Luke Ogden, Oasis Well & Pump of Manchester, are Sam’s parents.

Avery Overland is passionate about healthcare and will attend Iowa State University to pursue a degree in nutritional science. She then plans to attend DMACC for a two-year degree in nursing, to be followed by a four-year B.S. in nursing from Iowa State. She hopes to specialize in pediatric nursing to improve health outcomes for children. A recent graduate of Madrid High School (3.75 GPA), Avery was involved in band, choir, speech team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student council and was captain of the swim team. She volunteered for Veterans Affairs and as a coach of the Boone Winter Club swim team. Her summers have been spent as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Boone Municipal Pool. There she’s enhanced her leadership and communication skills. Avery’s parents are Marnie and Dustin Overland, and Dustin is with Scenic Valley Septic.

Carter Smith, recent graduate of Baxter High School (3.865 GPA), took online classes at DMACC and now will study agricultural sciences at Iowa State University. At BHS Carter was active in wrestling, football (captain), basketball, golf, and track and field (captain). Much of his volunteer work has centered on youth sports, teaching fundamentals and refereeing, along with maintaining the local sports complex. But he’s most proud of his weekly mentoring activities in the elementary classroom where he was paired with a male student to provide support and guidance and serve as his role model. Since 2022 he’s worked as a laborer at Colfax Tractor Parts, Singletary Farms and Krampe Welding and Fabrication – all great skills to know in preparation for his future role in agricultural. Kari and Justin Smith are Carter’s parents. (Moorman Construction Scholarship)

Anna Weaver will enter the University of Iowa this fall with her sights on a career as a physical therapist after majoring in exercise science. A member of the National Honor Society, she is a graduate of Woodward Granger High School (3.762 GPA) where she played volleyball for four years, lettered and served as team captain. Anna has been employed as a receptionist at Art of Life Salon and Spa in Urbandale and credits that job with teaching her how to provide great customer service, navigate hard situations with customers and enhance her sales skills in sending them home with hair and skin products as well as jewelry sold at the salon. She’s the daughter of Courtney and Matthew Weaver, Dirt Teck Plumbing and Excavating, Dallas Center.

Madison Wilshusen graduated summa cum laude from North Scott Senior High in 2024 (GPA 3.93). While there she also took two years of classes at Eastern Iowa Community College (3.789 GPA). She started at Iowa State University in the fall of 2024 (4.0 GPA), where she majors in architecture and hopes to study abroad for a wider world view and to expand her past literacy in Spanish. Eventually working on residential architecture for a small company would be her ideal. In high school Madison participated in volleyball, basketball, track and tennis all four years. At ISU she’s been involved in Women Who Design, Women in Stem, web design of a mental health awareness website, and making cards for children in hospitals. Madison has worked at ISU as student supervisor in the bakery and has also worked at Whitey’s Ice Cream and Menards. Her parents are Jennifer Wilshusen of Eldridge and Matt Wilshusen of Lowden. Matt is with T.G. Rankin.