JASPER, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Thanks to a donation by the Jasper Strassenfest Committee, a new award for local high school students has been put in place to help them reach higher education.
According to the news release, the name of the new award will be The Vincennes University Jasper Foundation Scholastic Excellence Award. The award will provide a student with one full year of tuition at Vincennes University, as well as provide a $500 book stipend per semester and a laptop. High school graduates from Martin, Dubois, Crawford, Orange, Perry, Harrison, and Spencer counties are eligible for the award.
The award came into being after a donation of nearly $46,000 from the 2025 Strassenfest on October 2, 2025, from the Jasper Strassenfest Committee. In total $45,548.62 was given to the Vincennes University Jasper Foundation in an effort to help students begin their college education without the burden of out-of-pocket costs or student loans. Thanks to the contribution this year, the foundation believes it will be able to award 8-10 students this award.
“The Vincennes University Jasper Foundation and the Jasper Strassenfest proudly partner each year on the annual Half Pot event,” said Dan Fritch, Vincennes University Jasper Foundation President. “By working together, we raise scholarship funds that benefit local students, creating opportunities for their education and future success.”
The Jasper Strassenfest Committee stated that the remaining funds will be used to support participating nonprofit organizations in emergencies to build a strong financial foundation for the continued growth of Strassenfest and the Jasper community. As part of the Half Pot event, a lucky couple from Jasper ended up with the winning ticket, netting them just over $77,000.
