Donna Van Holla

IRON MOUNTAIN — A one-time scholarship will be offered in memory of Donna Marie Van Holla to an Iron Mountain High School graduate.

Van Holla was born Sept. 9, 1939, in Ironwood. She graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, in 1957 before earning her bachelor’s of education from the University of Wisconsin – Superior (formerly Wisconsin State University – Superior) in 1961.

She married Kenneth Van Holla on June 27, 1959, at Zion National Lutheran Church in Ironwood. She went on to have three children, Kim, Amy and David.

Her career in education started in the Crystal Falls School District. She transferred to the Iron Mountain School District in 1966 where she spent the next 28 years teaching primarily Geometry and Algebra II at Iron Mountain High School.

Throughout her career, she furthered her education and earned her master’s degree from Northern Michigan University. She was also the debate and HI-Q coach for many years. She was a highly intelligent person and a role model to many. A Lifetime Master’s Bridge player and a voracious reader, ever her hobbies were highly intellectual. But she was down to earth and very approachable.

Donna was an excellent teacher. Many of her students have stated she was responsible for helping them grow confident in not only their academic skills, but also their skills outside the classroom.

She was a tough but fair teacher. She was a compassionate teacher who was always very reachable and available, spending many nights on the phone with students helping them with their homework.

She never ended these calls until she made sure that her students understood the classroom concepts. All she desired from her students was that they put forth their best effort. That maximal effort would lead to both academic and personal gains.

She helped so many students overcome their fear of making mistakes because she believed this is when we often learn best. Additionally, once this crucial aspect of learning is achieved, one can always rely on oneself no matter what the setting.

To be eligible for the one-time Donna Marie Van Holla scholarship, applicants must be a graduate of IMHS, and be pursuing a four year degree in education, but can start their education at a two year college.

Applicants must have maintained at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.