Gerald and Helen Hess Scholarship Fund ‘Pays it Forward’ Honoring Deep Roots in Argos Community and Education
Gerald M. Hess and Helen G. Hess were passionate about education and about Argos, the community in which they worked, raised their family, and developed lifelong friendships. Gerald was a graduate of Argos High School, class of 1935. After graduating from Purdue University, Gerald first taught vocational agricultural and science classes at LaPaz High School for five years. Later he served for 38 years as teacher, principal, or superintendent at Argos Community Schools, the last 19 as superintendent. As a teacher, he was instrumental in organizing the first Argos FFA Chapter in 1948 and served as an advisor to numerous FFA and 4-H judging teams and organizations. During his tenure as superintendent, he oversaw six building expansions while keeping the school’s budget “in the black.” He retired in 1983 and was honored by the community when he served as Grand Marshall for the 4th-a-Bration and then later honored by the school district and community when the high school auditorium was named after him. Helen was a graduate of Culver High School, class of 1936. After attending Ball State Teachers College, Helen also taught school. She was a teacher of first or third grade classes for a total of 32 years in LaPaz, Argos, and Plymouth. She was proud to have mentored ten student teachers throughout her career. Gerald and Helen established the Helen G. and Gerald M. Hess Scholarship Fund in 1997 because they believed strongly in education and lifelong learning and felt that excellent teachers have a positive impact on the communities they touch. Mr. and Mrs. Hess wanted to give back to the community they loved and believed the Marshall County Community Foundation would properly administer and manage a scholarship fund that would enable future generations of Argos students to achieve their potential and, in turn, pay it forward. The fund provides scholarships to Argos students, especially those who wish to pursue a future in teaching.