Sanilac County Community Foundation is pleased to announce, Ryan Wehner is the recipient of the 2019 Fred Kalis Athletic Scholarship.
Ryan Wehner is a 2019 graduate of Bad Axe High School. While at Bad Axe, Ryan participated in Mayor’s Youth Council, as well as various vocational competitions through the high school shop program and the Huron Area Technical Center. He also played 4 years of football, wrestling and baseball. During his senior wrestling season, he finished as State Runner-Up in the 140-pound weight class. Ryan plans to attend Delta College to get a degree in Construction Management. His long-term plans include owning his own business and moving to Iowa. Ryan is the son of Brent and Dawn Wehner of Bad Axe.
The Fred Kalis Athletic Scholarship was established in 2014 in his memory. Mr. Kalis was a long-time Thrivent Financial representative in the Bad Axe area, who passed away unexpectedly in 2012. The $500 Fred Kalis Athletic Scholarship will be awarded annually to one Bad Axe High School graduating senior.
“Fred was a strong Christian man who happened to resemble Santa Claus!” shares Bill Sarkella, Kalis’ friend and business partner, and Co-Chairperson of the SCCF. “He was active in the community as a mentor, teacher, youth leader, mayor, and church board member.” Sarkella continues, “He was often referred to as simply “the coach”, because he coached nearly every high school sport in Bad Axe”.
“Fred’s influence extended far beyond the borders of Bad Axe,” reports Sarkella. “With this scholarship, his influence will extend far into the future as well. We are so happy to honor Fred’s memory in this way!”
This scholarship is administered through the Sanilac County Community Foundation (SCCF). For more information on scholarship opportunities through the SCCF, contact Melissa Anderson, Executive Director, at the Foundation office at 810-648-3634.
