Viola Maude Clendenen Stoskopf was born on October 25, 1920, near Lee’s Summit, MO. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1943 with a BME and began her 37-year teaching career in Perry KS, Oskaloosa, KS, and Abilene, KS, where she taught vocal and instrumental music to grades 1 through 12. Moving to the Kansas City area, she taught music in Prairie Village, KS, for 15 years and 10 years in Shawnee Mission, KS, until her retirement in 1981.

Viola was a member of the National Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Chapter EL of the P.E.O Sisterhood, Wyandotte and Johnson County Retired Teachers, and the Kansas Music Educators Association.

She was a 50+ year member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) International Music Fraternity. She was well-loved by members of the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter of SAI, whose members fondly remember many meetings held in the lovely home she shared with her husband, William Stoskopf.

Viola passed away 3 days after her 100th birthday in 2020. Through this scholarship, her family and friends intend to honor Viola’s memory and her love of music education.