Fort Dodge resident Emily Dencklau is the recipient of the inaugural Bogati Urn Company Scholarship Fund, which was created to recognize outstanding funeral service or mortuary science students annually with financial awards to help with tuition, books, or other program costs.

Dencklau, a student at Des Moines Area Community College and intern at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home, was one of 39 applicants from 15 different funeral service or mortuary science programs in 14 states across the U.S. She was awarded $1,000 for the 2018-2019 school year.

“Our selection committee was impressed with Emily’s varied background, which will suit her well for a career in funeral services,” said Bogati Urn Company founder, Andrea Bogard LeBlanc. “Her understanding and experiences with family, education and work can be successfully applied to her chosen career as a licensed funeral director and will help her go far in her journey.”

In addition to Dencklau, the four other students were also chosen for the award.

Bogati Urn Co. established the scholarship in February 2018 in its Bogati Gives Back program as a way to give back to the industry that has helped Bogati grow. Fittingly, the recipients are in a prime position to forge growth within their own industry, as well.

“From what we have seen through this process, the funeral and mortuary science industry has some impressive individuals up and coming,” Bogard LeBlanc said. “We are excited to see what they achieve in the future and proud to be playing a part in helping them get there.”

Bogati Urns is headquartered in Sarasota, Fla.