Joanne Simich Moody, Glenn Moody, Desa Simich Henn, Marshall Henn, Doris Phipps Simich, and Jack Simich

Joanne, Desa, and Jack established this scholarship in memory of their mother, Rista Simich. Rista was a truly remarkable woman. Growing up in rural Yugoslavia, she did not have the opportunity to obtain a formal education. With help from an uncle, she became proficient in reading, writing, and arithmetic. After coming to the United States, she learned to read some English, and she became a United States citizen. Her husband passed away when the children were young. Although she did not have any formal schooling, she stressed the importance of education to her children.