About the Crater Foundation


What We Do

Mission Statement

To establish a self-perpetuating foundation that will assist District 6 students and schools in the areas of scholarships, extracurricular activities, capital improvements and human needs.

The main emphasis is in the area of scholarship; the goal is that every graduating senior from Crater High School who applies for scholarship assistance receives money for college tuition.

The Crater Foundation is a non profit organization established in 1992 to assist students in School District #6.

The Crater Foundation provides scholarship assistance to every graduating senior from Crater High School who applies for one, provides scholarship assistance to students continuing their education (after completing at least one year of college), provides financial aid to students and families in need, supplies funds to purchase necessary items such as coats, shoes, school supplies, and classroom materials.

Additionally, the Crater Foundation assists the district in funding special building projects and athletic facility improvements.

All funding comes from individuals, families, businesses, organizations, alumni, and district employees.

Finally, the Foundation supports an alumni association and mails a newsletter three times a year to approximately 9000 alumni.


How We Began

In 1991 Laurie Lucas, a 1990 Crater High graduate, died in a tragic non-combat accident while serving in the United States Air Force.

Upon her death, her family donated $4000 to Crater High School for the purpose of establishing a scholarship fund for a graduating Crater High Softball player.

The generous donation inspired a small group of volunteers to create an organization to support District 6 students by securing donations from community members, businesses, and families.

In 1992 these volunteers applied and received Non-Profit status and the Crater Foundation was born.

In 2004, the Crater Foundation changed its bylaws to accommodate the growing demands of the Foundation.

The Crater Foundation finds its home in the halls of Crater High thanks to the efforts of District 6 and Crater High School.

Since its inception, the Crater Foundation has awarded over $5 million in scholarship assistance to more than 4500 Crater High graduates.


Board Members

The Crater Foundation is governed by an eighteen member Board Of Directors.  Each member serves a three year term, with six terms expiring each year.

CRATER FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2021  –  2024

BITTLE, WILLEEN  – 1972 Crater High graduate.  Worked many years in school district 6 as an aide and secretary.  Now retired she and her husband Jim, are owners of Willie’s Boats in Central Point. 

 

 

COOPER, WARREN  – 1969 Crater High and Southern Oregon College graduate, a former CPA and business owner in the Rogue Valley.  Currently general manager of Butler Automotive, a position he has held for the past 25 years. 

 

 

 

 

DIMICK, JOHN  –  Retired Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor from Crater High School.  33 years as a teacher, 25 in School District 6.  John received a degree from Oregon State University.

 

 

 

HANSON, CARRIE  – 1992 Crater High and Oregon State University graduate.  Carrie is the Executive Director for the West Family Foundation, the Robert & Frances Cheney Family Foundation and the Arthur Dubs Foundation. 

 

 

 

 

HERNANDEZ, ROB  – 1972 Crater High and Southern Oregon College graduate.  Former business owner and general manager of S&B James construction for 30 years.   Currently semi-retired he also serves on the Central Point city council.

 

 

 

 

KEETON, JERI  – 1976 Crater High graduate.  Jeri’s career is in the banking business including several banks in Southern Oregon.  Retired as Vice President at Washington Federal Bank now works at People’s Bank.

 

 

 

MANARY, CANDY  –  Retired teacher, dean of students, elementary principal and School District 6 Superintendent after 33 years in education, 32 in School District 6.  Candy received a degree from Southern Oregon College.

 

 

 

MCCLAIN, MIKE  –  Retired teacher, Crater High principal and School District Superintendent after 15 years in School District 6.  Serves on the Jacksonville city council.  Mike received a degree from University of Oregon.

 

 

 

MEUNIER, MIKE  –  1984 Crater High and Southern Oregon University graduate, Mike has been a teacher, coach, assistant principal, Crater High principal and HR Director for School District 6.  He is now semi-retired from School District 6.

 

 

 

 

SHIPLEY, AMY  – 1993 Crater High graduate.  Amy has worked in School District 6 for 23 years as a school secretary, athletic secretary and is currently the Executive Secretary for the Superintendent of School District 6. 

 

 

 

SPEASL, DAN  –  Retired teacher, coach, career advisor and athletic director at Crater High School after 30 years in School District 6.  Dan received a degree from Southern Oregon College.

 

 

 

 

TONN, HARVEY  –  1955 Crater High and Linfield College graduate.  Harvey is a former teacher, coach, athletic director, vice principal and spent 20 years as principal at Scenic Junior High/Middle School.  Retired after 33 years in School District 6.

 

 

 

TUERS, SCOTT  –  1989 Crater High and Oregon State University graduate.  Scott was a teacher and coach in School District 6 for six years.  Changing professions, Scott is now a Captain with Jackson County Fire District 3 where he has been for the past 18 years.

 

 

 

 

WILSON, ALICIA  –  2002 Crater High, University of Minnesota and University of Oregon graduate.  Alicia is an attorney with Frohnmayer, Deatherage, Jamieson, Moore, Armosino and McGovern in Medford, Oregon.

 

 

ZAGAR, LINDSEY –  2002 Crater High, Western Oregon University and the University of Denver graduate.  Lindsey is the Marketing Director for Del Rio Vineyards, a position she has held for the past 10 years.

 

 

 

RAMBO, TOM – 1990 Crater High and Oregon State University graduate. Tom has been a teacher, coach and Principal in School District 6 for 23 years.  Currently he is Personnel  Director and Title IX Coordinator for School District 6. 

 

 

   

 

HENDRICKSON, STEPHANIE – 1999 Crater High graduate. Stephanie is the Executive Director of the Central Point Chamber of Commerce. She and her  husband, Chadd are both District 6 graduates.

 

 

 


Beyond Scholarships

The Crater Foundation’s role in District 6 has expanded over the years to include an array of support beyond providing scholarships to Crater High graduates.


Humanitarian Support

The Crater Foundation has provided for students and families in District 6 with financial needs, including clothing, school supplies, and food.

The Crater Foundation, the Central Point Rotary Club and the Jackson County New Car Dealers partner together yearly to provide school supplies to every kindergarten student entering School District 6.


Providing Grants to Schools

The Crater Foundation provides funds to each school in the district every year to be used for students. These schools identify students in need and provide them with assistance.

In addition, The Crater Foundation provides assistance to special projects through grant requests for District 6 schools. To date, we have contributed funds to:


Support for Athletic Events and Facilities

The Crater Foundation played an instrumental role in coordinating the fundraising efforts to install a new artificial field for Dutch Meyer Stadium. We raised the necessary funds of $850,000 to turn this dream into a reality!

We have also sponsored the radio broadcasts for sporting events.


Barbecue Trailer

The Crater Foundation provides a barbecue trailer for fundraising opportunities, team lunches and dinners as well as support for all schools in the district for student reward events.


Crater High School Hall of Fame

After a hiatus of more than twelve years, the Crater Foundation resurrected the Crater High School Hal of Fame in the spring of 2016.  After some discussion the Crater High School Athletic Hall of Fame has been expanded to include an Achievement Hall of Fame.  Although the Crater Foundation has never been involved with the Hall of Fame selections and/or inductions, our Board of Directors felt strongly enough that they endorsed the Crater Foundation taking ownership of the Crater High School Hall of Fame.  The School District Board of Directors and School District Superintendent also endorsed the move by taking action to help with financial support.  The first induction ceremony took place in April 2016 and the second took place in October 2016.  October is designated as Hall of Fame induction month.

For more information about the criteria for Hall of Fame candidates, as well as those already selected, go to the Alumni Association link on this web site.



Non-Profit Status

The Crater Foundation is recognized by the State of Oregon as a non-profit organization and has tax–exempt status under IRS section 501(C)(3). The Foundation tax identification number is 93-1076130.