This fund awards scholarships to graduates of West Aurora High School who will be entering the field of elementary or special education.
James Toynton was born and raised in Genoa City, Wisconsin.
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse where he received his degree in elementary education.
Later, he received his master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
Mr. Toynton taught at Frank Hall Elementary School from 1960 to 1970.
He also served as principal of Nancy Hill Elementary School from 1971 to 1981 and Frank Hall Elementary School from 1981 until his retirement in 1994.
He and his wife Clarice then established Gert’s Custom Blind and Shade business, which they owned and operated from 1994 until 2005.
His community involvement has included memberships on the West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education, Aurora Area Salvation Army Advisory Board and Aurora Evening Lion’s Club (charter member).
Clare Toynton was raised on a dairy farm near Ferryville, Wisconsin.
She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, where she received a degree in elementary education.
Mrs. Toynton taught second grade at Freeman Elementary School from 1962 to 1965.
She then became a learning disability teacher at Washington Middle School and at Nicholson, Schneider and Smith Elementary Schools from 1976 until 2000.
She was the recipient of the Golden Apple Award from West Aurora School District 129 which recognizes extraordinary dedication to the school district.
Her community involvement has included ten years of service as a member of the board of directors of Mutual Ground.
The Toyntons are active members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
