Scholarships
P.E.A.S.E Community Foundation supports students in recovery who are continuing their education after P.E.A.S.E Academy. Below you will find Scholarships that have been setup to help support P.E.A.S.E graduates along with the stories behind them.
Hannah Gildemeister Memorial Scholarship
Hannah Andrea Gildemeister was born on March 8th, 2000 in Bogota, Colombia. She grew up in Plymouth, MN and attended Wayzata Schools and PEASE Academy. Hannah passed away unexpectedly on August 17th, 2020 at the age of 20. Hannah will be lovingly remembered for her lively spirit and unapologetic authenticity – she wore her heart on her sleeve. Fiercely independent and extremely resourceful, Hannah moved through life undaunted. She was small yet mighty. Hannah’s compassion for others led her to always look out for the underdog. She lived her life with an adventurous spirit. Her radiant smile and heart-warming giggle will be deeply missed by many, and she will always be loved.
This Scholarship was setup by Hannah’s family in her remembrance to continue to support P.E.A.S.E Academy students in their recovery journey. One Scholarship is awarded to a P.E.A.S.E graduate annually.
If you would like to support the Hannah Gildemeister scholarship fund, please click the link below.
Emily Suhrhoff-Onken Memorial Scholarship
Emily Ann Suhrhoff Onken grew up in rural Westbrook, Minnesota and graduated high school from P.E.A.S.E. Academy. She attended Augsburg University, Minneapolis, participating in the Step-Up Program which provides sober living and support for students in recovery. She intended to earn a Masters in Social Work. She also worked at an adult foster care program for developmentally disabled adults. She loved her clients and her clients loved her. She delighted in their joy.
Emily was an exceptional writer and poet. She was very intelligent and had great insight. She was a very effective communicator. Emily had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. She made us laugh. She made us smile. She was caring and loving, especially to those in need.
For most of her life, Emily struggled with mental illness and addiction. When in treatment and in recovery, she touched and helped many people along the way. She gave presentations to those in recovery and volunteered her time. She strived to educate and eliminate the stigma surrounding her diseases. Instead of asking for birthday gifts, she asked relatives to donate to certain causes. Emily found Christ and accepted him into her life and found comfort in Him. She attended different churches, but her favorite was Eagle Brook Church.
She was a great big sister and a loving daughter. We will miss her so much. She was destined to do great things through advocacy and service to others, but there is no cure for mental illness or addiction. They stole her from us far too soon. Emily passed away on August 4, 2022 at the age of 21.
This Scholarship is in remembrance of Emily to continue to support P.E.A.S.E Academy students in their recovery journey. One Scholarship is awarded to a P.E.A.S.E graduate annually.
If you would like to support the Emily Ann Suhrhoff Onken Memorial Scholarship fund , please click the link below.
“Early in recovery, P.E.A.S.E. was a wonderful way to learn how to live sober. I got the accountability and support I needed. My community at P.E.A.S.E. was more of a family than anything else, and I’m so grateful to have had that experience.”
My experience at the PEASE After-School program was really great. Before I came I had little to no recovery community, but going to that program introduced me to people in recovery my age and new meetings. Getting to explore new meeting with different kinds of recovery was awesome. I am so thankful that it was available to me even though I didn’t attend P.E.A.S.E. Academy. I made lots of new friends I still have today, and everyone was welcoming and kind.