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Ralph & Senora Skay

The 2023 Ralph & Senora Skay Scholarship is presented to Jonah Lunsetter by board member Holly Haugen.

Senora Skay attended Moorhead State University and earned a degree to teach elementary grades. She also attended summer sessions at Moorhead & Bemidji colleges. She taught elementary grades at Heiberg, Blackduck (where she met Ralph) also Preston & Thief River Falls. For 22 years, Senora was a substitute teacher and a reading instructor in all five grade schools in Thief River Falls.

As the wife of a high school coach, she tended to many duties -- from washing uniforms to keeping score. She celebrated the victories and eased the losses. She was an ardent PROWLERS, Twins, and Vikings Fan.

Senora Volunteered many hours in her church and community. She served on the committee for Northrop PTA, the TRF Arts Council, the Concert Series, Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Girls State Committee, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Every spring Senora would sell daffodils for the American Cancer Society.

Both Senora & Ralph would have "smiles on their faces" as the receipts of this scholarship take advantage, and continue their education and increase their knowledge.

Mr. Ralph Skay taught at Blackduck, Spring Grove, Preston, and Milaca, Minnesota schools before moving to Thief River Falls in 1952. He served as a head football coach for 15 years. He taught science and coached basketball. He initiated a high school baseball program in Thief River Falls in the spring of 1953. He was also Athletic Director and Attendance Director. During his coaching career, he had three teams compete in the state baseball tournaments. Three athletes, during their high school careers made the all-state Minnesota team, two in football and one in baseball. Mr. Skay retired from teaching and coaching 1978 after 38 years.

When Ralph retired from coaching, he was honored with Ralph Skay Day on May 20, 1974, declared by Mayor Bob Carlson. He was inducted into the Minnesota Coaches Hall of Fame in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in November of 1982. He was awarded a Quarter Century Coach Citation by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune for outstanding coaching in high school and American Legion teams.

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