MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Kiwanis Club hopes to turn its Kenneth J. Ploeger Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship Concert into an annual event.

In the meantime, Marysville Kiwanis Concert Coordinator Penelope Ploeger, Ken’s widow, reported that the this year’s concert, which took place May 22 in the Marysville-Pilchuck High School auditorium, drew as many as 100 attendees. Although the net proceeds were only $150, Ploeger was still pleased to be able to raise some funds for the scholarship fund in honor of her late husband, a longtime dedicated Kiwanian, retired Navy electronics technician and city of Marysville employee who believed in the value of scholarships for students entering a vocational trade or career.

“After my husband passed away in 2007, I received so much from the school and the Kiwanis Club,” Ploeger said. “He wouldn’t have wanted me to just keep all that money, though, so I’ve tried to find some way of giving it back to the community.”

Although the Totem Middle School Marimba Club was unable to put in an appearance, the Marysville Jazz Band and Vocal Ensemble volunteered to play extra sets to make up the difference. Maribel Montes was awarded this year’s memorial scholarship, which is designed to benefit Marysville students with technology or skills scholarships for classes or community college credits that prepare them for employment in the public sector.

“Thank you so much,” Montes told Ploeger at the concert. “I appreciate all the time, money and effort that you and the Kiwanians have put into Marysville, and I can only hope someday to make contributions to this community like your husband did.”

Montes is set to receive her scholarship alongside the Kiwanis “Boy of the Year” scholarships, the Soroptimist “Girl of the Year” scholarships and the Marysville School District scholarships in June.

“This was my practice year,” said Ploeger, who thanked her grandchildren for their salesmanship on behalf of the concert, and hopes to get the word out about the concert to a broader audience next year.