The Gary S. Wilmer Memorial Trust was established in 1996 to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Gary Wilmer by awarding scholarships to students who wish to pursue and education in music. Gary was the founder & publisher of RAM Magazine, a Rockford area music monthly, and a founding organizer of the RAMI awards. Joe Guzzardo, owner of Guzzardo Music, said of Gary, "He was thoughtful and sensitive, and thoroughly understood the problems and needs of local music and musicians." Gary could do it all, be it organizing benefits, booking bands, running sound or lights, helping new music club owners or encouraging new talent to persevere. As the president of his senior class at East High School, as a graduate of Rockford College and as a successful businessman, Gary's 43 years of living showed that education is a marvelous "conductor" of a successful musical life.

It is the sincere hope of the RAMI scholarship committee that the recipients of this scholarship will carry on Gary's legacy with pride.

Scholarship Selection Criteria
Graduating high school seniors from Boone or Winnebago County who has a GPA of at least 2.5, plans to pursue a degree in music performance, education or composition, and is actively involved in school or community musical groups. Students must be nominated by a music teacher. Deadline February 1. For more information and online application forms, visit www.cfnil.org.

Past Recipients
David Tallacksen                  Bridget Gillenwater
Kyla Barber                         Kausika Maddali
Laura Hogberg                     Cassandra Johnson
Jill Heinke                           Henry Solberg
Christopher Thomas
Matt Ulery
Kira Wilke
Jill Moth
Emily Herdeman
Amanda Asher
Michael Davis
Tarrah Evans
Elizabeth Young
Karen Craig
Lily Henley
Daniel Jansen
Christine Knodle
Leah Asher
Branton Cox
Madeline Herdeman
Shannon Jeske