Stiens memorial funds making a difference
SKYE POURNAZARI/THE FORUM
Lori, left, and Steve Sears, right, stand with Mia Roush, a renewal recipient of the Cody Lee Stiens Memorial Scholarship for three consecutive semesters.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Maryville alumna Mia Roush was one of the first three recipients of the inaugural Cody Lee Stiens Memorial Scholarship in 2023, and since then has renewed the scholarship twice.
Receiving $4,500 toward her education at North Central Missouri College to study nursing, she told The Forum that the scholarship was enough for her to not have to have a job during her first semester so she could focus solely on school.
“This means the world to me,” Roush said. “… Truly a huge relief, I’m very grateful.”
Cody, son of Lori and Steve Sears and Kevin Stiens, was born in Maryville in 1987. He graduated from Maryville High School in 2006 and again from Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska, with an associate degree in electrical engineering.
The Searses said they established the scholarship with a focus on technical school students because their son was a “big believer” with a strong passion for work in the trades.
This year, the Searses were able to provide scholarships to five students (last year they gave to three students) and renew Roush’s.
“We’re just super proud of her,” Steve said, noting that identifying the students who are really interested in focusing on their education and helping them to receive it is particularly rewarding.
To help continue to fund the scholarships the last two years, Lori said she set up a GoFundMe account asking for funds to help prospective students. Steve said it has been difficult to find the right fundraiser at the right time of year to help keep funds available because local family members are often busy in the fields with farming.
“We would want the whole family to help with the fundraising,” Lori said, noting that Cody’s oldest brother and father are local farmers.
Steve said he hopes family members of seniors push their seniors to apply for this scholarship or donate to it because “we really are invested in this community,” he said, “… through the kids that are going to come back here and work, provide needed services for all of Nodaway County.”
To help support the fund, make checks payable to the Cody Lee Stiens Memorial Scholarship Fund and mail them to Lori Sears, 3948 E. Sunnydale Drive, Queen Creek, AZ 85142, or Kevin Stiens, 29845 U.S. Highway 136, Maryville, MO 64468.
Donations may also be made at any U.S. Bank branch by mentioning the fund. Tax-deductible receipts are available.
