SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Cross Country Years Involved: 7 years (6th grade –12th grade) Hours per week: Approximately 16 hours per week Leadership / Awards / Recognition: Team Member; Former Manager I have been involved in cross country for seven years, beginning as a team manager i n sixth grade and continuing as a runner throughout high school. Over the years, I experienced both challenging seasons and highly successful ones, learning perseverance through setbacks and appreciation through progress. My class was the largest and most enduring group the program has seen, which strengthened the team’s culture and sense of commitment. This season, I remained consistent throughout the year without major personal records until the final meet, which was our ultimate goal: qualifying for stat e. After missing state by one point the previous year, our team entered the season determined and motivated. At the final meet, while conditions were challenging, I ran a lifetime personal record my fastest time since fifth grade ending my season on a high note. Cross country has shaped my work ethic, mental toughness, and sense of belonging, and the lessons I have learned from the sport continue to influence who I am today.
Activity #2: Show Choir Years Participated: 6 years (7th grade – Present) Hours/Weeks: Approximately 12 hours per week Leadership / Awards / Recognition: Varsity Show Choir (Swingspan); Front -row performer since freshman year I have participated in show choir as a memb er of Swingspan, the varsity ensemble, since my freshman year. Because of my background in dance, I was selected as a front-row performer as a freshman an honor rarely awarded to underclassmen, particularly freshman girls. This role requires strong perform ance ability, confidence, and leadership, as front -row performers help set the standard for choreography precision, stage presence, and energy. Through show choir, I have developed teamwork, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure while balan cing academics and other commitments.
Activity #3: Volunteer Service – Nepal & Community Service Project Years Participated: 1 year Hours/Weeks: Approximately 35 –40 hours per week; 3 weeks in Nepal + ongoing project planning and implementation Leadership / Awards / Recognition: Volunteer Educator; Founder/ Organizer of community hygiene kit project I volunteered in remote regions of Nepal with the Rebuild Nepal Education Foundation for three weeks, working with students in grades 3 –10. My responsibilities included teaching basic English, supporting teachers in integrating technology into their classrooms, and helping students access online learning tools. I also made beaded bracelets with students and worked directly with younger children to build foundational language skills. This experience allowed me to co nnect closely with students, especially girls, and better understand challenges related to access, confidence, and hygiene. Inspired by this experience, I launched a service project in Fort Madison focused on supporting 6th -grade girls in Lee County. I org anized the collection of donations from local service groups and the National Honor Society to assemble hygiene kits for students who may lack access to basic personal care products. I coordinated a team of older students to assemble and distribute the kit s at the start of the school year. To ensure the project’s long -term impact, I formally transitioned leadership and responsibility to HOSA so the initiative can continue in future
years. This project reflects my commitment to service, leadership, and creating meaningful change both globally and within my local community.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Employer(s): Kim Hundt and Danielle Hall Hall’s Ice Cream (locally owned business) Nature of Work: Customer Service Employee Dates of Employment: Hall’s Ice Cream: February 19th, 2021 – Present Hours Worked per Week: Hall’s Ice Cream: Approximately 15 -40 h ours per week. I don't work as much during the school year, but during the summer I average around 40 -hour workweeks. Since the age of fourteen, I have worked at Hall’s Ice Cream, a locally owned ice cream shop, where I developed strong customer service, c ommunication, and time -management skills. My responsibilities include handling cash transactions, accurately counting back change, assisting customers in a fast -paced environment, and working effectively with supervisors and coworkers. Balancing this job w ith school and extracurricular activities has strengthened my responsibility and ability to manage my time efficiently. Employer: Self -Employed (Babysitting for local families) Position/Nature of Work: Childcare Provider Dates of Employment: Summers of 20 19– Present Hours Worked per Week: Approximately 20 hours per week During the summer months, I have worked as a self -employed babysitter for local families. My responsibilities include supervising children, transporting them to swim lessons, tutoring sess ions, and music lessons, as well as doing engaging and age -appropriate activities. This experience has strengthened my responsibility, leadership, and communication skills while teaching me how to manage schedules and ensure children’s safety. Babysitting has also helped me develop patience, problem -solving abilities, and the ability to build trust with both children and parents.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
For the longest time, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. The question alone felt intimidating, and sometimes it still does. People often say that you figure it out as you go, and I hope that proves true for me. As a child, I was fascinated b y interior design. I loved playing Minecraft, spending hours building and decorating, and I even explored apps like Planner 5D: House Design Software to create as many houses as possible. That creative side of me still exists, but over time, my passions be gan to shift toward something much deeper: understanding people and how the mind works. My interest in psychology came about in an unexpected way. One evening, on the bus ride back from an away basketball game, one of our assistant coaches who also taught psychology was
helping students review for an upcoming quiz. I wasn’t in the class, but I was immediately hooked on their conversation. For the entire 45 -minute ride, I listened intently. I was surprised at how exciting it felt to know some of the answers, and even more excited by the questions I didn’t know, because I wanted to learn them. That moment sparked something in me. The following year, I decided to take an online Intro to Psychology course. While it wasn’t quite the same as the in -person discussion I had overheard, I still enjoyed diving into the subject. This year, I’m enrolled in a developmental psychology class and continuing to explore where a psychology degree could take me. I am especially interested in careers that involve working with kids, leading a tea m one day, and ultimately creating a lifestyle where I can support myself comfortably and thrive.
Academically, I have challenged myself throughout high school by taking weighted honors courses and dual -credit classes through Southeastern Community College. I am on track to graduate with 40 college credits while maintaining a GPA above 4.0 and earning honors such as the A -Honor Roll and the Presidential Scholarship. Outside academics, I have been involved in a wide variety of activities. In athletics, I have participated in cross country, basketball, track and field, volleyball, softball, swim team, and dance. Cross country has been particularly transformative; I began as a team manager in sixth grade and continued as a runner throughout high school, learning perseverance, teamwork, and goal -setting along the way. This year, I achieved a lifetime persona l record, reflecting years of consistent effort and dedication. I have also been a member of Swingspan, the varsity show choir, since freshman year, earning a front -row performer position a rare honor for underclassmen. I am actively involved in several sc hool clubs, including Vice President of the National Honor Society, a member of the student council, and the Varsity Club, which promotes school spirit and collaboration among athletes. These experiences have helped me develop leadership, organization, and teamwork while contributing meaningfully to the school community. Community service has been a central part of my life. I have volunteered at Vacation Bible School, Shuckfest, Princess Tea Party events, Lee County Conservation cleanups, Scouts BSA, the Ro tary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference, and as a camp counselor for kids’ show choir camp. One of my most meaningful experiences was volunteering in Nepal with the Rebuild Nepal Education Foundation, where I taught English and technology skills to students in grades 3 –10, supporting teachers and helping students access online learning. Inspired by this experience, I launched a project in Fort Madison to provide hygiene kits for 6th-grade girls in Lee County. I collected donations, coordinated a stud ent team to assemble and distribute the kits, and handed the project off to HOSA to ensure continuity and long -term impact. Since the age of fourteen, I have also worked at Hall’s Ice Cream, where I developed customer service skills, time management, and p rofessionalism while balancing school and extracurricular activities.
Babysitting local children has further strengthened my leadership and problem -solving abilities, as I support learning, take kids to lessons, and help them explore new skills. Looking ahead, I see my future career as a combination of my curiosity about hum an behavior, my love for children, and my drive to lead. Every experience —from academics and sports to clubs, faith -based service, volunteer work in Nepal, and work has guided me toward becoming compassionate, driven, and committed to making a positive imp act in the world. In conclusion, my experiences in academics, athletics, performing arts, clubs, work, and community service reflect the qualities I hope to bring to my future career and community. Receiving the Climax/Matteson/Fort Madison High School/Lea ders Scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my educational and career goals while making a meaningful difference locally and globally.
IamhonoredtowritethisletterofrecommendationforEllieHuebner,aremarkableyoungwomanwhomIhavehad theprivilegeofknowingasafamilyfriend,amemberofourchurch,andanactivememberoftheFortMadison educationalsystem.Overtheyears,Ihaveobservedhergrowthintoacompassionate,driven,andcapableleaderwho continuallyseekstomakeapositiveimpactinhercommunityandbeyond.
Ellie’sresilienceanddeterminationareevidentinherfive-yearcommitmenttoBoyScouts Whilemanyofherpeers chosetoleavetheprogrambymiddleschool,Ellieremainedcommittedtotheprogram,fullyembracingthevaluesof dedication,service,andleadership Hercommitmentwasparticularlyclearduringhereffortstofundraiseforhertroop, participatingintraditionalfundraisingbygoingdoortodoorsellingpopcornalongsideheryoungersister
ElliehasalsoindependentlydevelopedcreativefundraisingideasforherupcomingtriptoNepal. Theseeffortswere drivenbyhergoaltoparticipateinalife-changingexperience,whereshewillspendmuchofhersummerhelpingto rebuildschoolsimpactedbythedevastating2015earthquake.Thecommitmentshewilldemonstrateinthismission reflectsherbraveryinsteppingoutsidehercomfortzoneandherempathyinservingchildreninneedacrosstheglobe Theseeffortshighlightthecompassionatenatureofhercharacter
Ellie'sheartforserviceisalsodemonstratedthroughherinvolvementinourchurch.Eachyear,sheplaysanactiverole insupportingourVacationBibleSchoolprogrambyassistingwithitssetupandtakingtheleadinteachingaclassfor youngerstudents. Herpatience,creativity,andabilitytoconnectwithchildrenmakeheranaturalrolemodelforthose shementors Herdedicationtoherfaithshinesbrightlythroughthismeaningfulwork
Inadditiontohercommunityservice,Ellieisanaccomplishedathleteandstudent.Sheparticipatesinbasketball,cross country,andtrack,wherehertenacityandteamworksetastrongexampleforherpeers.Asamemberofthestudent government,varsityclub,andtheNationalHonorSociety,shemaintainsahighGPAwhilebalancinghermany responsibilities.Herabilitytocollaboratewithpeers,supportfellowathletes,andcontributepositivelytotheschool communitydisplaysherleadershipabilitiesandhercommitmenttofosteringapositiveenvironmentforothers
Beyondherpublicachievements,Ellieisadevotedfamilymember.Shefrequentlyassistsherelderlygrandparents, offeringhelpwithcleaning,mowingtheiryard,andprovidingcompanionshipwheneverneeded.Herselflessnessand willingnesstoservethoseshelovesdemonstrateherstrongsenseoffamilyloyaltyandresponsibility Inour community,Ellieisasought-afterbabysitterknownforherdependability,kindness,andgenuineaffectionforchildren. IoftenjokethattheHuebnergirlscouldmanagetheirhouseholdindependentlyfromayoungageduetotheirstrong upbringingandcommitmenttotheirfamily
WhatsetsEllieapartisheruniquecombinationofleadership,empathy,andintegrity.Sheunderstandstheimportance ofhelpingothers,valuinggenuineconnectionsandmakingameaningfulimpact Inanerawhereselflessnesscan sometimesfeelrare,Ellie’spassionforhelpingothersandherreliablecharacterarebothrefreshingandinspiring.
IwholeheartedlyrecommendEllieHuebner,confidentthatshewillcontinuetoachievegreatthingsandpositively influencethosearoundher.Sheistrulyaremarkableyoungwomanwithabrightfutureahead.
Respectfully,
Amy J Thacher
AmyThacher
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Alyssa Rife
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Fort Madison Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? Yes
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Southeastern Community College
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? Finance
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: alyssa.rife07@gmail.com
• Phone: 3194702837
• Permanent Address: 2802 ave A , Fort Madison , Iowa 52627
• Emergency Contact: Nicole Kohl
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3194702807
• Emergency Contact Email: nicolerife7@yahoo.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-30
• GPA: 4.167
• ACT Score (if applicable): N/A
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Stevie Rife
• Relationship with the Applicant: Employer
• Reference Phone Number: 3194701047
• Reference Email: Steviesbusybees@gmail.com
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Southeastern Community College
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: The first activity I participated in during my high school years was volleyball. I played for all four years of school. During my time playing I spent about ten hours a week throughout the season and about five hours a week during the off season. I was awa rded a varsity letter for two years, and was awarded All -Academic every year. I helped lead my team as well as the younger teams by assisting in drills, and demonstrating how to preform certain tasks.
Activity #2: The second activity I participated in was the fine arts. I have participated in the arts all four years of high school. I have completed over seven art courses, spending about two to three hours a day on them. Many of my pieces have been accepted into art shows and competitions. I have won awards for my photography, mixed media art, and my paintings.
Activity #3: The last main activity I did in school was volunteering. I have spent about fifty hours volunteering for various organizations. I assisted at nursing homes helping the residents with small tasks like cleaning up, walking their dogs, or just keeping them co mpany. The other main volunteer work I accomplished was teaching volleyball and sports camps to younger players. I thought them techniques to improve as well as helping them become more confident in themselves.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
I have worked at the daycare in my town since March of 2021. My employers name is Stevie Bethurem. When I started out I was just an employee mainly doing paperwork, cleaning, and occasionally taking care of children. Today I am the closing manager supervis ing children, and managing the staff there. I work about twenty hours a week there. I also am participating in my school’s work-based learning program; where I go to a business or company and work for them as well as learn real -life skills. I work at Jess Sutcliffe - State Farm. I work fifteen hours a week there, and the program is from October 2025 - March2026. My main tasks is helping customers, but I also do a lot of observing and learning new skills.
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
My goal for life has always been to be in a steady place financially, because I didn’t always have that growing up. My parents tried their hardest to not show their struggle but I slowly picked up on it. The career path that has always spoken to me was mat h, and finance. After a lot of research and selfreflecting I realized that becoming a financial advisor would help me achieve my goals of having a steady income, being able to be there for my family, and getting to help others. The first thing most peop le look for when career hunting is the salary. I did that very thing, while researching I found that financial advisors make a very comfortable salary. After seeing that I was pretty much set on what I wanted to do. The other main aspect of the job is math skills. Growing up I disliked math very much but I was always really good at it. In high school I realized it is actually fun when you know what you’re doing. Although I have shed many tears trying to understand algebra and fractions. After discovering th is I did much more research, finding out that they need to have very developed communication skills; as they discuss business matters every single day. One of my favorite things to do is talk, I could chat with people for hours about anything. All of those aspects of the job really sparked my passion for this career. Quality family time is something I have always cherished. My dream since I was a child was to start a family of my own, I want to be a great mom just like my mom is for me. Once I have establi shed my career I will have the freedom to be able to be there for my family. It may take a years to become established and be in a position to leave early or take time off for my family; but that is why I have been preparing for this for a few years now. M y goal is to have a stable career by twenty five. Nothing means more to me than being there for my current family as well as my future family. Being a financial advisor means advising and helping others. I have always wanted to help people in some capaci ty, but growing up I thought being a doctor or a nurse was the path for me. I found out in my young teenage years that me and bodily fluids do not mix well. So, when I discovered my career path and that I can still help others, I was even more on board wit h it. I enjoy helping people and showing kindness to others. I am so glad that I will be able to assist people with their finances and set them up for their future. Nothing makes me happier than being able to help others. Discovering this career path was really eye -opening for me. Every aspect matched my wants and needs for my future. The main perks of the career are having a stable salary, being able to be home a lot, and lastly being able to help others. I am eager to start my studies so I can learn to be the best version of myself. I have put many hours of research and thought into the best way to achieve my goals and aspirations. I look forward to my future every single day.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Addison Rump
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Fort Madison Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: The University of Iowa
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? I will be majoring in Microbiology and Biology
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT
INFORMATION
• Email: rumpaddison8@gmail.com
• Phone: 3193711189
• Permanent Address: 2226 Mokena Terrace, Fort Madison, IA, 52627 , Fort Madison , Iowa 52627
• Emergency Contact: Lindsey Kohl
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3195724800
• Emergency Contact Email: lindsey.rump@gpaea.org
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-30
• GPA: 4.509
• ACT Score (if applicable): 20
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here: I will live in the dorm at the University of Iowa and attend classes full time each day of the week.
• Reference Name: Carla Rump
• Relationship with the Applicant: Ms. Carla Sanders is my Honors Science Teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 3193721862
• Reference Email: carla.sanders@fmcsd.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? The University of Iowa
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP THREE school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sports, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: I participated in cross -country for six years, two years in middle school and four years in high school. Each season I begin training the first week of June and continue running throughout summer running, camp week, and competition season. Our final race o f the season is typically districts which land each year on the third week of October. The season is 20 weeks long in total and I spend around 20 hours a week solely on running. In this activity I have earned four varsity letters, three all conference titl es, one all district title, and one individual state qualification. I was chosen for the All-Hawkeye team 4 years in a row, and I was recognized as athlete of the week by the Hawkeye newspaper in the 2025 season. My team won back to back conference champio nship titles in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Finally I was on the all -academic team all four years that I participated in cross country.
Activity #2: Similar to cross country, I have also spent six years running track. I run from Thanksgiving break until the State meet at the end of May. This is a total of 26 hours a week for around 35 hours per week. Throughout my track career, I have been awarded four varsity letters. My 4x800 team was conference and district champions in 2024 and 2025. My 4x800 team placed 4th at Indoor State in 2025 and placed 3rd at the same meet in 2026. I have been on the all -academic team all 3 years that I have participated in t rack thus far.
Activity #3: I have participated in color guard for 5 years, one in middle school and four in high school. For my senior season I had the honor of being a color guard captain and it was one of my proudest achievements in my high school career. Marching band season last s 16 weeks from July to October. I spend 45 hours a week learning drill, learning choreography, practicing counts, and hosting extra practices for the girls who needed help outside of the scheduled practices. My guard won best guard two years in a row at t he same competition and made drastic improvements from when I first started in 2022. At the end of the marching band season, I was awarded the most valuable senior award from my band director, which was truly an honor.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
May 2025 - Currently: I am employed at the Fox Theatre in Fort Madison by Chris and Maddie Swed. At my job, I interact with customers by selling movie tickets, popcorn, and other concessions. My main aim when working is to ensure that each customer has a p ositive experience from the previews to the end credits. Other tasks of my work include cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming the lobby, sweeping and mopping the theatres, taking out trash, restocking supplies, counting money, and changing the marquee and movie po sters. I have also recently applied for a manager position, which would allow me to take on more responsibilities and more of a leadership role within the theatre. During the summer I work between 30 -40 hours per week, but in the school year I am only able to work between 3-12 hours per week.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
Hello! My name is Addison Rump and I am a senior at Fort Madison High School. After I graduate this spring, I will be attending the University of Iowa to major in microbiology and biology, with an end goal of becoming a marine biologist. Throughout high sc hool I have participated in many activities ranging from sports and music programs, to clubs and organizations. Each extracurricular that I have been a part of have had a positive impact on my character and has allowed me to grow and develop into the strong individual that I am today. The lessons that I have learned from being an avid part of my community and school have set me up for success going into the college environment. I feel that my volunteer work for my community, my extracurriculars, and my scho ol work make me a good candidate to receive this scholarship.
The three activities that have had the biggest impact on me as a person are cross country, track, and color guard. Running track and cross country for six years has had one of the biggest impacts on my character. Both sports are equally mentally and physic ally challenging, which has taught me the value of hard work and how to be resilient when faced with a bad race or a hard practice. Running has also taught me how to overcome disappointment and see it as an opportunity to reflect and grow as a person. In c olor guard I learned how to be a strong leader. Before participating in this activity, I never thought that I had the attributes to be a strong captain. When I was chosen for this role, I knew that I wanted to prove to my director that he made the right ch oice. I did everything in my power to help the girls on my color guard squad be the best they could be when performing on the field, and hopefully off the field as well. Through participating in band I have also learned routine through early morning practi ces, and patience through helping the color guard members learn new routines or clean a difficult section of choreography. All of these are learned skills that I intend to take with me to college and into my profession after graduation. Through my passion for running I have also been able to give back to my community and show my pride for the town of Fort Madison. I have been a junior coach through our local Girls On The Run Program for the past three summers. Girls On The Run is run by the YMCA and caters towards girls ranging from 2nd to 6th grade. During the 10 week program the coaches encourage the girls to manage emotions in a healthy manner through lessons and exercise goals. My job as a coach is to maintain a positive environment for the girls, encou rage them while running, and empower them to become the strong, thoughtful, and
hardworking leaders of the future. At the end of the season, the girls have the ability to demonstrate all they have learned in a community 5k. I feel that Girls On The Run demonstrates integrity, accountability, and leadership. Integrity is learned by sho wing compassion to the runners when a challenging workout is presented or a child is asked to step out of their comfort zone. Accountability is instilled by trusting that the girls will be honest when completing their workouts. Leadership is observed when girls take charge of activities, by participating in a discussion, or by including someone in their group that they may not know. I take pride in my position as a junior coach and I know that all my girls will be strong members of the community and will ap proach all life issues with empathy, consideration, and critical thinking as the leaders of tomorrow.
I have always prided myself on my education . When given the opportunity I choose to take honors and college classes. I like the way that these classes challenge me and broaden my perspectives on topics that I may not learn about in a non -honors environment. At my school I have taken all of the honors science classes offered, and I have loved each and every one of them. They teach me to rise to the challenge and excel beyond my perceived capabilities. Taking these classes have also prepared me for the jump to college, as I have been able to develop studying tactics that I might not have discovered without classes that present challenging material. I also know how to work hard and ask questions whenever I need a clearer explanation of a topic. As much as I e njoy everything that I have done throughout my high school career, it does not wholly define me as an individual. I was taught from a young age to always be kind, hardworking, accepting, respectful, supportive, and positive throughout whatever challenge li fe threw my way. My parents are my biggest motivators in my life and I want to make them proud. I want to show them how grateful I am for them by trying my best and putting my best foot forward into this new chapter of my life. I feel that I deserve this scholarship because I always without a doubt try my best in everything that I do. My parents don’t have the means to completely support me financially and I don’t feel that they should. I want to show that I can live independently and use other resources to obtain the best possible education in order to open doors to the best possible future. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, I am beyond grateful for this opportunity :)
FORTMADISONHIGHSCHOOL
2001AVENUEB,FORTMADISON,IA52627|319.372.1862
PATRICKLAMB,PRINCIPAL;AMYTHACHER,ASSISTANTPRINCIPAL; JEFFLAMB,ACTIVITIESDIRECTOR
Towhomitmayconcern,
IamdelightedtoofferthisletterofrecommendationonbehalfofAddisonRump,asenioratFort MadisonHighSchool.Addisonisorganized,efficient,andextremelycompetent.Sheisaserious studentwhohasalotofdriveandleadershipskillstoaccomplishallhergoalofbecomingamarine biologist,andbecauseofthissheisrespectedbyteachersandstudentsalike.
IhaveknownAddisonforthreeyearsinmycapacityasahighschoolscienceteacheratFortMadison HighSchool.Addisonisknownforchallengingherselfacademically;notonlyhasshetakenallofthe honorsclassesshehasalsotaken,oristaking,chemistry,zoology,microbiology,forensics, anatomy/physiologyandphysics.Sheisanactiveparticipantinclassdiscussionsandgraspsmaterial quickly.Shehassuperbwrittenandverbalskills.Herworkisalwaysthoughtoutandindetail.When Addisondoesnotunderstandaconceptsheisnotafraidtoaskforclarification,orcomeinbeforeor afterschooltoaskforhelp.Itisbecauseofherhardworkanddedicationthatsheisrankednumber3in herclasswitha4.4894GPA.BasedonAddison’sgrades,attendanceandclassparticipationIwouldrate Addison'sacademicperformanceinmyclassesassuperior.
Addisonisnotonlyanacademicallysuccessfulstudent,butalsoadeeplyinvolvedanddedicated memberofherschoolandcommunity.Athree-timeAll-Conferencecrosscountryrunner,Addison qualifiedforstatecompetitiononceincrosscountryandtwiceintrack—animpressivereflectionofher discipline,perseverance,andathleticability.Sheusesherpassionandtalentforrunningtogivebackto othersbyvolunteeringeachsummerasajuniorcoachfortheGirlsontheRunprogramattheYMCA.In thisrole,sheleadsactivitiesdesignedtoempoweryounggirls,helpingthembuildconfidence, resilience,andself-belief.
Beyondathletics,Addisonisactivelyinvolvedinnumerousextracurricularactivities.Sheparticipatesin cheerleading,band,showchoir,NHS,theGreenTeam(FMHS’senvironmentalgroup),andthescience club.Sheservesascaptainofthecolorguard,demonstratingleadershipandcommitment,andholdsthe positionofsecretaryfortheNationalHonorSociety,whereshehelpssupportserviceinitiativesand organizationalefforts.
Inconclusion,IhighlyrecommendAddisonRumpbecausesheworksaboveandbeyondtoaccomplish hergoals.Ifherperformanceinmyclassesandoutsideofclassareanyindicationofhowshewill perform,Addisonwillbeapositiveadditiontoanyorganizationand/orprogram.
Ifyoushouldeverneedanyadditionalinformationyoucanfeelfreetocallmeat319-372-1862oremailmeat carla.sanders@fmcsd.org
Sincerely,
CarlaSanders Teacher,FortMadisonHighSchool
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Avery Rump
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Fort Madison Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: The University of Iowa
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Medical Science
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: averydanerump@gmail.com
• Phone: 3193711219
• Permanent Address: 2226 Mokena Terrace , Fort Madison, IA 52627
• Emergency Contact: Lindsey Kohl
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3195724800
• Emergency Contact Email: lindsey.rump@gpaea.org
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-30
• GPA: 4.47
• ACT Score (if applicable): 24
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here: N/A
• Reference Name: Carla Rump
• Relationship with the Applicant: Biology, Zoology, Chemistry, and Anatomy/Physiology Teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 3193721862
• Reference Email: carla.sanders@fmcsd.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? The University of Iowa
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Cross country, 6 years, 9 hours per week, 14 weeks per year, Four varsity letters earned, two All-State placements earned (8th and 4th place), 2 times Conference Champion, 4 AllConference recognitions earned (1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd), 4 years All -Acedemic Team , 4 All -District placements earned (4th, 4th, 11th, 6th).
Activity #2: Track and Field, 6 years, 7 hours per week, 14 weeks per year, 4 varsity letters earned, 4 times all academic team 3000 Meter 3 Time Conference Champion 2 Time District Champion 3 Time State Qualifier, and placed 5th two times at State Meet 1500 Meter O ne time Conference Champion; 2 Time Conference runner up 2 Time District Champion 2 time State Qualifier, placing 7th at the State Meet 4x800 Meter Relay 3 time Conference Champion 2 Time District Champion 2 Time State Qualifier 1600 Medley Relay 1 Time Conference Champion 2 Time District Runner Up 2 Time State Qualifier
Activity #3: HOSA - Future Health Professionals: 2 years, 1 hour per week, 30 weeks per year, Vice President senior year Junior Year State Leadership Conference: 2nd in CPR and First Aid, 2nd in Creative Problem Solving. Senior Year State Leadership Conference: 1st i n CPR and First Aid, 2nd in Physician’s Assistant Challenge)
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Employer: Fort Madison Family YMCA Nature of Work: Daycare/summer camp employee Dates of employment: June 2025 to August 2025, June 2026 to August 2026 Hours worked per week: 24 to 40 hours
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis
statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical structure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
Have you ever been asked to describe yourself in just one word? This question has always confused me, because people’s personalities are far too complex to define in a single word. However, if I had to answer that question, my word would be “hardworking”. Now, I know it is easy to claim that one is hardworking, but today, I am going to attempt to prove how hard working I really am by describing my future aspirations, school activities, academic achievements, and volunteer activities.
All my life, I have aspired to have a job that would allow me to both change people’s lives and pursue my interests. I believe becoming a pediatric physician’s assistant will fulfill that dream because of my keen interest in biological sciences, love for w orking with children, and my ambition to change the world for the better, even if that change is relatively small. To achieve this career goal, I have applied and been accepted to the University of Iowa, where I am going to major in Microbiology for PreMedicine. After I get my bachelor's degree, I plan to attend and graduate from an undecided twoyear Master’s program in PA studies. As you can see, my future goals are quite ambitious, which shows how I am willing to work hard and dedicate a large portion o f my time to achieve them. Throughout my high school career, I participated in a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including cross country, cheerleading, track and field, marching band, show choir, HOSA - Future Health Professionals, Natio nal Honor Society, science club, and green team. In cross country and track, I received All -Conference and All -District honors and qualified for state every year. I also received All -State honors twice in cross country and three times in track and field. I n addition, I was selected for leadership positions in some of my activities, including HOSA, where I served as vice president, and marching band, where I served as the drum major. All of my activities and accolades illustrate how I always push myself so I can reach my fullest potential, which demonstrates how much hard work I am willing to put into all my undertakings. Not only do I strive for excellence in my activities, but also in the classroom. One of my greatest academic achievements is that I have received straight As in all of my classes throughout high school, many of those classes being honorslevel. This achievement has earned me a 4.47 GPA and the ranking of 6th in my class. This shows how I am willing to take on and succeed at any academic chal lenge thrown my way, which is a telltale sign of a hardworking student.
I also have participated in a wide variety of community service activities in my four years of high school. I have accumulated well over 100 community service hours doing various types of volunteer work. One volunteer activity I have done every year is he lping with my school’s recycling program and community clean -ups through Green Team, my school’s environmental club. I have also been a Junior Coach for my local YMCA’s Girls on the Run program, where we teach young girls lessons about kindness and self -love while training to run a 5k race. In addition, for my school’s community service day, I volunteered at my local food pantry. During that experience, I learned all about how our food pantry works and its importance to our community. Many people choose to not do volunteer activities, since it is a lot of work with no physical payment, just social and emotional value. This shows that people like myself who choose to volunteer are some of the hardest workers of all, since they are willing to work without self -interest. In conclusion, my future goals, school extracurriculars, academics, and community service all demonstrate that I truly am a hardworking person. So, the next time someone asks me to describe myself in a single word, I will be ready and confident in my response.
FORTMADISONHIGHSCHOOL 2001AVENUEB,FORTMADISON,IA52627|319.372.1862
PATRICKLAMB,PRINCIPAL;AMYTHACHER,ASSISTANTPRINCIPAL; JEFFLAMB,ACTIVITIESDIRECTOR
Towhomitmayconcern,
IamdelightedtoofferthisletterofrecommendationonbehalfofAveryRump,asenioratFortMadison HighSchool.Averyisserious,efficient,andacompetentstudentwhomakesagreatleader.Shehasa lotofdriveandmotivationtoaccomplishhergoalofbecomingapediatricphysician'sassistant.Averyis respectedbyteachersandherpeers.
IhaveknownAveryforthreeyearsinmycapacityasahighschoolscienceteacheratFortMadison HighSchool.Averychallengesherselfacademically;notonlyhasshetakenallofthehonorsclassesshe hasalsotaken,oristaking,chemistry,zoology,microbiology,anatomy/physiologyandphysics.Sheis anactiveparticipantinclassdiscussionsandgraspsmaterialquickly.Shehassuperbwrittenandverbal skillsthatareapleasureforanyteachertoencounter.WhenAverydoesnotunderstandaconceptsheis notafraidtoaskforclarification.Itisbecauseofthissheisrankednumber6inherclasswitha4.4681 GPA.BasedonAvery’sgrades,attendance,classparticipation,andhardworkIwouldrateAvery's academicperformanceinmyclassesasexcellent.
Alongwithkeepingupwithherschoolwork,Averyparticipatesincrosscountry,track,cheerleading, showchoir,adrummajorintheband,NHS,theGreenTeam(FMHSenvironmentalistgroup),HOSA andthescienceclub.AspartoftheGreenTeamshehashelpedwithrecyclingatthehighschooland communitycleanupdays.FortheYMCA,Averyisajuniorcoachforaprogramcalled“girlsonthe run.ShehasvolunteeredhertimefortheSoroptimistClubPrincessTeaParty,andourschooldistrict's summercamphelpingwithtrackandfieldactivities.Averyisbestknownforherloveofrunningand hercrosscountryandtrackaccomplishments.Sheisathreetimestatequalifierincrosscountryandin track.Averyisa2timeplacewinnerforstatecrosscountryanda3timeplacewinnerintrack.
Inconclusion,IhighlyrecommendAveryRumpbecauseshewillbesuccessfulinanyendeavorshe undertakes.Ifherperformanceinmyclassesandoutsideofclassareanyindicationofhowshewould perform,Averywillbeapositiveadditiontoanyorganizationand/orprogram.
Ifyoushouldeverneedanyadditionalinformationyoucanfeelfreetocallmeat319-372-1862oremailmeat carla.sanders@fmcsd.org
Sincerely,
CarlaSanders Teacher,FortMadisonHighSchool
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Savannah Sissel
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Fort Madison Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Drake University
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? Zoo conservation science , Environmental science
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: sa.sissel08@gmail.com
• Phone: 3193715914
• Permanent Address: 828 Avenue D , Fort Madison , Iowa 52627
• Emergency Contact: Jennifer Kohl
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3193718228
• Emergency Contact Email: Jsissel9@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-30
• GPA: 4.6
• ACT Score (if applicable): 25
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Mark Sissel
• Relationship with the Applicant: Teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 6418490049
• Reference Email: mark.bunt@fmcsd.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Drake University
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Green Team (4 years) (2 hours per week for 20 weeks) President my senior year.
Activity #2: Speech (4 years) (1 hour a week for 10 weeks) Qualified for state in solo mime freshman and senior year.
Activity #3: Student Council (4 years) (.5 hours a week for 30 weeks) Was class vice president sophomore year. Service committee member for 4 years.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
N/A
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
An extracurricular activity that has greatly impacted who I am as a person is Green Team. At my school, Green Team is an activity that helps you become more involved in the environment. In Green Team, we do things like recycle, pick up trash, and inform ot hers about their impact on the environment. I have been involved in the Green Team for all of my high school years, attending every meeting possible and showing my dedication to the group and its goals. My dedication led to me being appointed as presiden t of the group this year, my senior year. Green Team has helped me to understand more about the products that I use everyday, making me more conscious about my
consumption and the impact it has on the environment. I have also become more dedicated towards research that involves conservation and the environment. Doing recycling for Green Team has also shown me how little people know about the things that they ar e able to recycle. Often our recycling bins have just been treated like secondary trash cans by students in the school. This realization has made me more determined to inform others about things they can do in their everyday lives to reduce their impact on the environment. Our group has made posters for the school about recycling and we are even looking for an environmental project to fund with the money that we have. By being president of Green Team I have also developed my leadership and communication sk ills. Leading this group has helped me learn how to better communicate my thoughts and ideas, as well as learn how to speak with those around me. I have learned how to lead a group from my presidency, I have to be the communication between the faculty and the members. I have also become more organized due to my position. This group has helped me discover more about what I want to do with my life and my future. It has assured me that my choice to major in Zoo Conservation Science and Environmental Science i s the right decision. It has also helped me to see into what a future in my career will look like. I am thankful for everything that Green Team has taught me and provided for me. I look forward to how this group will help me further my education and my per sonal development.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Mia Woodbury
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Fort Madison Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Drake University
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Medical Science
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: miawoodbury07@gmail.com
• Phone: 3193718890
• Permanent Address: 1032 Denmark Hilltop, Fort Madison, Iowa 52627
• Emergency Contact: Liz Kohl
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3193717468
• Emergency Contact Email: MamaMia929@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-30
• GPA: 4.4909
• ACT Score (if applicable): 23
• SAT Score (if applicable):
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Woodbury
• Relationship with the Applicant:
• Reference Phone Number:
• Reference Email:
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Drake University
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Varsity cheerleading. I participated for 4 years and spent approximately 4 hours per week on it from the end of summer to the end of winter. I got star flier on my team for a year or two and have won varsity letters and pins each year.
Activity #2: Showchoir. I participated for 4 years and spent approximately 11 hours per week precompetition season, with 14 during competitions.
Activity #3: Fort Madison HOSA. I participated for 2 years and spend about 2 hours per week on it. I achieved 1st in state for healthcare photography, 6th in state for cpr/first aid, 2nd place in state for group problem solving, 3rd place in state for medical spelling, and second place for physician's assistant case study.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
For about 2 years during the summer, I work at Fox Theater in Fort Madison. My employer was Chris Swed. I started movies, cleaned the theater, served popcorn, counted/deposited money, and worked the register. I worked July and August of 2023, and June, Jul y and August of 2024. I worked approximately 18 hours per week. In the summer of 2025, I received my lifeguard certificate and worked about 12 hours per week, as I was a new hire until the pool closed for the fall. My employer was Sara Mueller.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
For as long as I can recall, I have had a passion for the healthcare field. My dad is an orthopedic surgeon at our local hospital, and has been for at least 14 years. I’ve loved being in his office and visiting the hospital. The smell of cleaning supplies and alcohol brings nostalgia, seeing everyone doing their job intrigues me to this day. My dad has gotten a lot of recognition around town, and seeing that helped me choose my career. I decided to become an orthopedic physician assistant. I have worked har d throughout my middle school and high school career to ensure I had a good base education and chances of a good college.
My desire to be in the healthcare field hasn’t faltered, but the career has. I was interested in psychology, nursing, and finally an orthopedic physician assistant. I have gotten straight A’s (in exception of one B...statistics) for the duration of three y ears and 3 quarters thus far. I have taken honors classes when available, and some electives, including microbiology, forensics, psychology, and anatomy. My honors science teacher, Mrs. Sanders, gets the credit for teaching me proper studying strategies. T his, combined with being diagnosed and medicated for ADHD, really helped me focus on my studies and work even harder on my goals. Alongside my education and studies, I have participated in multiple activities and clubs. I am in my school’s Green Team, whi ch recycles about twice a month around school and participates in cleanups around town. I am in HOSA, a club dedicated to learning about and accessing resources helpful for healthcare careers. We additionally compete at a state level, including healthcare boards, research, first aid situations, and more. I have participated in cheerleading and showchoir, helping me realize the importance of teamwork and time set aside to work on activities. Time management in my junior and senior years has really improved, and even has me looking forward to college classes. Regarding activities in college, I am trying out for the cheerleading team at Drake University to keep up with physical activity and bonding with people around me.
I’m hoping to complete 4 years at Drake University (as I’ve already been accepted) and an additional 2 years of a PA program. I am unsure as to where I’d like to go after my education, but I am more than excited to offer my newfound skills and services to help those around me. I cannot wait to exchange knowledge and techniques with my dad regarding orthopedic procedures. My love for healthcare keeps me striving towards my goal of becoming an orthopedic physician assistant and helping those around me. I am proud of my accomplishments so far and have worked hard to attain them. I have over a four point gpa and take pride in the knowledge I have gained throughout my studies. Now, I work towards scholarship applications to help ease the stress of college expen ses.
STUDENT
INFORMATION
Student Name: Blake Mohrfeld
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Holy Trinity Catholic Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Associated Builders & Contractors of Iowa
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Trade School
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)? Electrical
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: blake.mohrfeld@icloud.com
• Phone: 3194709767
• Permanent Address: 2231 Hwy 16, West Point, IA 52656
• Emergency Contact: Stephanie Menke
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3194707524
• Emergency Contact Email: stephaniemohrfeld@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-24
• GPA: 3.746
• ACT Score (if applicable): N/A
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Part-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here: The program allows you to work during the day and go to school in the evenings if you choose to work while going to school. Otherwise you can go for one week each month and go to school all day every day.
• Reference Name: Sabrina Mohrfeld
• Relationship with the Applicant: High School Counselor
• Reference Phone Number: 3193722486
• Reference Email: sabrina.menke@holytrinityschools.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Associated Builders & Contractors of Iowa
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Service Experience - Busy Workers 4H Group (January 2018 - Present) I Cleaned the Lee County Fairgrounds in preparation for the fair. We decorated the Knights of Columbus Hall for Christmas Event as well as distributed candy to the community during Halloween and last but not least we prepared and served food for the Pancake Breakfast.
Activity #2: Service Experience - Tri State Rodeo (September 2021 - Present) I helped clean the VIP section prior to the rodeo events. I helped work the Little Spurs Rodeo serving drinks and worked as a food runner in VIP Wednesday - Saturday during the events. Lastly, I assisted with teardown and organizing after the event.
Activity #3: Service Experience - St. James Gods Acre Sale, St. Mary's Fall Festival & Gods Portion Day (September 2023 - Present) I helped clean & set up the St. Paul gym for events including arranging tables & risers. I assisted with merchandise display and presentatio n and helped with teardown and cleanup after the events.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Work Based Learning/Internship (September 2024 -Present) In my internship, I perform routine maintenance on company trucks, including oil changes and thorough interior and exterior cleaning to keep all vehicles in reliable condition. I also help maintain an organized and efficient shop by cleaning work areas, restocking supplies, and ensuring materials are properly stored. The most valuable part of this experience has been gaining hands on exposure at various job sites, where I assist with real projects and learn directly from skilled professionals in the field.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
I believe that the best way to stay involved and stay committed is to the goals I set for myself. That mindset has shaped my experiences in 4 H, National Honor Society, and golf, and it continues to guide me as I prepare for my future in the electrical trade. Each activity has taught me something different, but together they ’ve helped me become a hardworking, dependable, and community‑minded student. My involvement in 4 ‑H has been one of the most influential parts of my life. Through hands on projects, leadership roles, and community service, I’ve learned responsibility, problem solving, and the value of showing up for others. Whether I was completing a project or helping at local events, 4 H taught me how to take initiative and follow through skills that I know will serve me well in a technical career. As a member of the National Honor Society, I ’ve held myself to high academic and personal standards. Maintaining a 3.7 GPA while staying active in multiple organizations has required discipline and time management, but it has also shown me that I can excel when I’m willing to put in the effort. NHS h as reinforced the importance of character and service, and I take pride in being someone others can rely on.
Golf has been another important part of my high school experience. The sport has taught me patience, focus, and resilience qualities that don’t just matter on the course but in everyday life. Golf has shown me how to stay calm under pressure, how to lea rn from mistakes, and how to keep improving even when progress feels slow. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my education at the Associated Builders & Contractors of Iowa Trade School, where I plan to study electrical work. I’ve always been drawn to hands on learning and problem solving, and the electrical field offers both. I want a career where I can build, repair, and contribute to the family business, JM Electric Inc. My goal is to become a skilled electrician who takes pride in quality work and safety. The experiences I’ve had so far in 4 H, NHS, golf, and the classroom have prepared me to take this next step with confidence. I am committed to working hard, learning as much as I can, and using my skills to make a positive impact. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue that jour ney and move closer to a career I’m passionate about.
STUDENT
INFORMATION
Student Name: Jonah Zanolla
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Illini West High School
• Geographical Area: Hancock County Illinois
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Engineering
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: jonah.zanolla@gmail.com
• Phone: 2173574427
• Permanent Address: 328 S. Marion St. , Carthage , IL 62321
• Emergency Contact: Leah Bliss
• Emergency Contact Phone: 4074030989
• Emergency Contact Email: leah.zanolla@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-17
• GPA: 4.0
• ACT Score (if applicable): 35
• SAT Score (if applicable): 1530
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: MJ Zanolla
• Relationship with the Applicant: Chemistry and Physics Teacher, Sponsor for Illinois Science Olympiad team.
• Reference Phone Number: 2173572136
• Reference Email: marypalmer@illiniwest.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Captain of the Varsity Scholastic Bowl team. 4 years, 5 hours per week, 12 weeks a year. Ranked second in the Prairieland Conference. Played as our team’s all -star in the WGEM Academic Challenge. Ranked #2 individually in conference; led team in correct to ssups. Directed JV/Varsity practices and led in -match discussion about answers. Qualified for 2025 Small School National Competition.
Activity #2: Captain of the Illinois Science Olympiad team. 3 years, 3 hours per week, 3 weeks per year. Helped take the robotics team to state for the first two times in the school’s history. Placed 6th and 11th in the state of Illinois. Engineered robot for autonomou s navigation, wrote software to integrate hardware and easily adapt to randomized courses at each competition.
Activity #3: President of Illini West HorseHead Studios (digital media production) 4 years, 4 hours per week, 8 weeks per year. Managed live -streaming for sports, reached an average of 250+ viewers/stream. Oversaw community sponsorships and funding, raising $4,000+ a y ear.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Dairy Queen (2023 -Present) – Carthage, IL 14 hours per week. Role: Crew Member • Interacted with 300+ customers per shift. • Gained firsthand experience in customer service, communication, and conflict resolution. Z Tech Solutions (2024 -Present) 6 hours per week. Role: Founder • Started a technology support business as part of the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Program • Founded tech repair service • Overhauled local restaurant POS system • Completed 50+ tech repairs for local residents M emorial Hospital (2025 – Present) – Carthage, IL 15 hours per week. Role: Information Technology (IT) Intern • IT point of contact for HR/Payroll system migration of 450+ employees • Served on tech support team, assisting employees in troubleshooting works tation issues • Upgraded outdated hardware
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
Working at a Dairy Queen next to the one stoplight in town sounds typical, but here in Carthage, it is not. With only 2,400 people in Carthage, Illinois, I've met almost everyone. Far from the fast pace of the city, Carthage embodies small town energy. I c hat with most customers while they're waiting for food because they're my neighbors, friends, and teachers. I attempt to have enough background knowledge on any topic to hold a conversation on it with a customer. I want to be the person who people seek out for an opinion on a variety of subjects, whether it's about their new gaming computer, current events, or if a strange text message is a scam.
For these random chats, I rely on something my family calls "bits of tid" - short for tidbits of information. When someone mentions something that I don't know enough about, I mentally file it for later. Getting home after work, the first thing I do is sta rt looking up the topics that stumped me that day. I fall down research rabbit holes, spending two hours researching cryptocurrency instead of the 10 minutes I promised myself. After filling that gap in my knowledge, I hope that someone will bring that sub ject up again. Next time, I'm ready to bring a well -informed opinion to the table. Researching an unknown topic brings up more questions than it answers. What is the impact of quantum computing on cryptocurrency? How does that affect the future value of Bi tcoin? One question leads to ten!
At a recent Scholastic Bowl match, the moderator mentioned Grover's Algorithm. I immediately knew that it was the quantum search algorithm that could threaten current encryption methods. I had read for hours a few weeks earlier about how it could impact cr yptocurrency security. I buzzed in with "quantum computing" and it was correct! The 10 points wouldn't affect the match, but it felt like a reward for all the late -night Googling I pretend isn't procrastination. As great as Scholastic Bowl points are, I ha ve come to appreciate more when my research sessions allow me to help my community.
The first time Marine Bank sent Mr. Barclay to me with a broken computer, he was prepared to be without a computer for the foreseeable future. He asked if I was the kid who helped with "tech stuff". I suppose? I knew plenty about technology from my Interne t rabbit holes but didn't think I could do much for him. I'd take a look, I told him. He explained that his bank account had been hacked. The bank had given him new account numbers, but he was worried it would happen again. After looking at his computer, I realized that it was less of a technology issue and more of a "small town trust" issue. In Carthage, where plenty of people leave their doors unlocked without a thought, Ed could trust anyone he met! Why would the Internet be any different? I had to expla in to him how the Internet was accessible to people across the world, and many are malicious. I had to teach him to approach the Internet with skepticism for his digital safety. That conversation with Mr. Barclay was the first of many. Pretty soon, every b ank in town was sending customers to me with technology issues, both security and otherwise. I had accidentally become Carthage's IT department.
I likely won't stay in Carthage forever. There aren't many technology jobs in Carthage, making it inevitable that I'll move away. But what happens to the people I leave behind? I would be leaving Mr. Barclay to his own devices! This isn't just a Carthage p roblem, because seniors are being targeted all
across the country. This has led me to start researching tech scams targeting seniors in addition to topics like cryptocurrency. There are thousands of Mr. Barclays out there, and I want to help them too.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Braxton Hayner
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Keokuk Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lee County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Central College
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? Kinesiology
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: braxtonzh2008@gmail.com
• Phone: 3197958827
• Permanent Address: 25 Pleasant Lane , Keokuk, Iowa 52632
• Emergency Contact: Kathy Carter
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3197951478
• Emergency Contact Email: krhayner@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-24
• GPA: 3.2
• ACT Score (if applicable): N\ A
• SAT Score (if applicable): N\ A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Brandon Hayner
• Relationship with the Applicant: Teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 3195242542
• Reference Email: Brandon.Ramirez@keokukschools.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Central College
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP THREE school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sports, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Football All 4 years of High school 20 hrs/week 25 weeks/year 3 varsity letters, 2 all academic, team captain, 2nd team all -district, Defensive MVP
Activity #2: Track 3 years 15 hrs/week 15 weeks/year all acedemic, 3 varsity letters, Freshman of the year
Activity #3: Golf 2 years of Highschool 10 hrs/week 10 weeks/year 1 Varsity letter, sportsmanship award
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
YMCA Referee for youth sports, employed August 2022 - January 2026, 10 hrs/week Hy -Vee Garden Clerk, Employed April 2024 - July 2025, 25 hrs/week
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
Myself as a whole I would say is a hard -working athletic kid that only wants to reach his goals in life. I am an 18-year-old senior in Highschool that has a huge love for the game of football and also wants to be a sports physical therapist when football e nds for me. I am going to attend Central college this upcoming fall, and I will be playing on the football team while getting my education. My goal with football is go as far as I can in it and try to make it to the NFL one day. Though there's a high chanc e it won't happen, I am going to work as hard as possible to make it there and prove that I can. I do
love football and me dream is to make it to the league, but I also have a dream of being a sports physical therapist. I am someone who has suffered an injury during football season and with that I have missed out on practices and game. I have something tha t the doctors call runners' hip and it is basically just something where my hips are week and when they are overused, they will tear and I will have muscle strains that will prevent me from doing what I want and love to do. It not only affects me physicall y but also mentally and I lose confidence in myself playing my sport that I love. I hated that feeling and I wouldn't ever wish it on anyone else. That is my reasoning for going into the field of study for sports physical therapy. I want to help athletes o f all ages be able to feel good physically and also mentally. I want to show athletes what can help them and how they can still feel good about themself in their sport. Studying this in college will only help me get to that dream and building off of that I eventually want to own my own business for sports physical therapy. That is my ultimate goal with this field and That is the career I want to pursue. I plan to work hard every day in college and even out of college to get closer and closer to all of my go als.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Delaney Ruhl
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Keokuk Community Schools
• Geographical Area: Lewis County Missouri
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: University of Missouri-Columbia
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Engineering
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: delaneyruhl@gmail.com
• Phone: 3196706076
• Permanent Address: 8 Carriage Green Est , Keokuk, IA 52632
• Emergency Contact: Quinn Carter
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3142263538
• Emergency Contact Email: mqruhl@hotmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-24
• GPA: 3.7
• ACT Score (if applicable): 21
• SAT Score (if applicable): na
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Regina Palmer
• Relationship with the Applicant: school educator, community member
• Reference Phone Number: 3197951722
• Reference Email: regina.boddicker@keokukschools.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? University of MissouriColumbia
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: KHS Varsity Golf 4 years, 20 hours a week minimum, I placed 5th in the Conference Tournament and have been on the All Conference Team
Activity #2: National Honor Society 2 years I hold the Secretary position this year I also helped with the annual Senior Citizen Dinner this year and the Chicken Dinner fundraiser equaling 10 hours
Activity #3: Volunteer Keokuk Catholic School and Church 5 years I help plan and execute the annual Carnival at Keokuk Catholic Schools. I also volunteered my time at church serving mass
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
City of Keokuk Tour Guide -George M. Verity 5 -2024 to 10/2025 20 hours a week, Position is seasonal American Eyecare Medical Courier 5/2025 -Present Work study position -20 -25 hours per week
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
I appreciate this opportunity to share my goals and aspirations with you in the hopes of receiving a scholarship to help me with my future education. I plan to graduate from Keokuk High School in May and then attend the University of Missouri -Columbia in t he fall. This is a tradition that started with my grandpa, one of which I am excited to continue. My ultimate goal would be to work towards my
Masters in either Architecture or Engineering. Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed the pursuit of trying to figure out how things are built. I find it fascinating to take certain items apart and put them back together. In the past year I have receiv ed a sewing machine and have taught myself how to create many different items. When someone needs something built in our house, they ask me. It is from this love of exploration that I have decided a career in the field of Engineering or Architecture is the direction I want to focus my energy.
This past summer I job shadowed a family friend who received his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is using this degree in the medical field by helping create tools to help with ocular surgeries. While I do not have the desire to work hands -on in the f ield of medicine like my parents have chosen, I am still passionate about a career where I can help and contribute to the better of society. The idea that I can create something that could help save a life, or make life better for others sounds like a life well lived. I have been raised in a family that celebrates hard work and the passion for learning. I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many good teachers at Keokuk High School that have encouraged me to have high expectations for my future. I hop e that I can make them proud by graduating from College and find a career that I can succeed in while helping change lives for the good. Again, I appreciate this opportunity you provide to not only me, but my classmates. It is because of organizations like this one that our future is an optimistic one.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Abigail Schmidgall
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Mediapolis Community School District
• Geographical Area: Des Moines County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: University of Iowa
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? Biology on a pre -dental track
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: abischmidgall@gmail.com
• Phone: 3197504647
• Permanent Address: 1305 Middle Street , Mediapolis , IA 52637
• Emergency Contact: Kim Henning
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3197509532
• Emergency Contact Email: kpfad@hotmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-17
• GPA: 4.0
• ACT Score (if applicable): 29
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Sally Schmidgall
• Relationship with the Applicant: Bank teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 3195722991
• Reference Email: sallycarter211@gmail.com
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? University of Iowa
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: National Honor Society for 2 years, 2 hours per week for 36 weeks. I am currently president of NHS.
Activity #2: Robotics club for 4 years, 10 hours per week for 12 weeks during the season and 2 hours a week for 24 weeks in the off -season. I am the finance team lead.
Activity #3: Track and field for 3 years, 11 hours per week for 11 weeks. I earned 3 varsity letters and a GPA award all 3 years.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
I worked for Aaron Schmidgall at Baseball Card Emporium. I graded, sleeved, sorted, scanned, blended, and numbered collectable cards to be sold on an online Ebay store. I worked for roughly 28 hours a week from 06 -08 in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
Having a dream is one of the most special things a person can have. No one can take it away, because a dream isn’t like a plan. It’s the desperation to achieve something, no matter how unrealistic or hard it would be to reach. I’ve grown up with parents wh o have supported my dream of becoming a dentist, but even with support, I need to work hard in order to make my dream a reality. And on my journey, I don’t want to lose any part of myself on the way. The love of my life is reading.
Every year, I strive to finish a hundred books by the time the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. While I read, I love listening to music of all kinds. It’s a challenge to find any genre I’m not a fan of. When music and reading combine, I tend to ge t pretty distracted and stay up until the wee hours of the morning just trying to squeeze in another chapter. When I’m not holed up in my room, I’m a very chatty person, even to people I don’t know very well. I love making new friends and spending time with the people I love. My grades are also a very big part of who I am. I take pride in maintaining my GPA, and I love learning things I know will benefit me in the future, such as advanced science classes. Other than grades, I also like participating in sp orts at my school. I’ve been in volleyball for 3 years, cross country for 1, and I will be participating in my fourth year of discus in track and field. I also love clubs like robotics, National Honor Society, Student Council, Mediapolis Lighthouse Team, a nd the book club I’ve newly started. Another passion of mine is volunteering. I’ve almost reached 400 volunteer hours, mostly achieved through mission trips, childcare at my local church, and giving blood through ImpactLife. I love trying new things and fi nding things I enjoy, which is why I try to do as much as I can in my spare time. The person I wish I were is a lot different than the person I am now. If I could pick my ideal self, I would be a good person. Someone who helps others and puts their needs above their own. Someone with infinite patience instead of snapping. I want to be an advocate for people who can’t speak. If I have the ability to speak up, why shouldn’t I? My dream self would have a tight group of close friends who I can confide in. She would also learn sign language to be able to communicate with people who can’t hear. I’m a firm believer that sign language should be taught in schools, so she would be an advocate for that as well.
Overall, I want to be someone who helps others. This is a major reason I picked the career I did. Not like the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, but a dentist who makes kids excited for their next appointment. I am accepted into the University of Iowa on the pre -dental track, and I’ve put in my application for their honors program. Once school starts in the fall, I plan on putting every ounce of effort into maintaining my grades so that when I apply to the University of Iowa’s dental program, I’ll be acce pted. But other than grades, I plan on getting to know my professors, so I have people with experience to guide me through college. I also plan on working in the medical field during my time at the University of Iowa, preferably at the children’s hospital on campus. If I do all of that during my undergrad and make it into the dental program, I’ll spend four years doing what I’ve always dreamed of. After all my schooling, I’ll finally be a practicing dentist. Right now, this is only a dream I have. But I plan on being desperate, on throwing myself fully into making sure I have the best chance I can at being who I want to be. It won’t be easy, it won’t be cheap, and I won’t always be happy. But at the end of the tunnel, there will always be light. I plan on chasing that light and taking every opportunity I can to reach it running. And when I finally get there, my dream will be a reality, and I will be who I have always wanted to be.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Ajay Wagner
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Mount Pleasant Community School District
• Geographical Area: Henry County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Engineering
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: awagner2623@gmail.com
• Phone: 3193609185
• Permanent Address: 1703 E Belt Drive, Mount Pleasant , Iowa 52641
• Emergency Contact: Julie Steele
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3193605098
• Emergency Contact Email: jwagnerdo@hotmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-17
• GPA: 4.168
• ACT Score (if applicable): 31
• SAT Score (if applicable): 1480
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Robin Wagner
• Relationship with the Applicant: Teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 3199319804
• Reference Email: robin.lutovsky@mtpcsd.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? University of MinnesotaTwin Cities
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP THREE school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sports, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: I have participated in high school soccer for four years including this year. Soccer usually takes up around 12 hours per week, with game weeks taking around 14 hours per week. Our soccer season is 10 weeks, with additional weeks as you progress in the pla yoffs. Through high school soccer, I have received a varsity letter, Academic All Conference for all three completed seasons, and Most Improved Player Award. Additionally, I was also a JV soccer captain and led our JV team to win the conference. I also pla yed on the Varsity soccer team that won the conference.
Activity #2: I have completed four years of high school show choir. Our high school show choir is an audition group that is quite successful in the competition season. During the preparation part of our season, show choir usually takes 6 -7 hours per week. When we are i n the competition part of our season, show choir takes around 20 hours per week due to long competition days. Furthermore, the entire show choir season is 24 weeks long. For the past two years of show choir I was a dance captain. I was also selected to sin g a solo in the most recent show choir season.
Activity #3: I am an active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church here in Mt. Pleasant. I have been a member of the church my whole life, but I truly started volunteering when I was 7 years old. As such, I have been volunteering for 10 years. Volunteering opportuniti es vary throughout the year, so over the course of a year, I volunteer for around 1 -2 hours a week. I volunteer through various different opportunities and events at my church. One of the largest and biggest time commitments is my church tent at Old Thresh ers. This is an annual event held over 5 days ending Labor Day. Our church provides meals for 12 hours per day, and this requires intense commitment from our entire congregation. I also volunteer at various church bake sales, auctions, and social nights, i ncluding trivia and game nights. Additionally, I intermittently serve during Sunday mass through being an usher and lector.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Since May of 2022, I have been employed at the Temple Theater in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The Temple Theater is one of the movie theaters in the Eisentraut Theaters movie theater chain. When I was first hired, I worked the popcorn machine and sold tickets like all other employees. Besides selling tickets and snacks, the job involved cleaning the theaters, stocking concessions, starting the movies, and handing out mints after the movies ended. In the slower months I worked 10 -15 hours a week. In the busier summer months I worked 15-20 hours a week. In August of 2024, I was promoted to manager of the Temple Theater. This came with additional responsibilities. Once promoted, I took on handling money deposits, running errands for the theater, leading and training emp loyees, and dealing with all customer service issues. As a result of these responsibilities and constantly being available for questions from other employees, this position required around 20 hours per week year round. I am currently still the manager and taking on more responsibilities and hours.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
I am a 17-year-old student, and I have been greatly influenced by my childhood. Growing up as the only boy in a family of five, with my older sister now in college and my younger sister in middle school, I often didn’t have the same interests as my sibling s. However, this forced me to pursue my own goals and taught me how to balance responsibility and ambition. Despite my personal drive, my parents emphasized the importance of community involvement and athletics. This built the foundation that has guided my personal development and future goals. Throughout my life, my schedule has been filled with school, sports, and community activities. Many nights, I would go directly from school to an athletic practice and then to volunteer or community events. Being so active was demanding, but it taught me the value of hard work and how to effectively prioritize my time. This skill became essential as I matured and landed my first job at the local movie theater after my freshman year. Over my time at the theater, I hav e become the acting manager, which added a professional aspect to my already busy academic and extracurricular commitments. Nevertheless, a principle that my parents instilled in me helped me juggle my time: academics always come first. This mindset is wha t allowed me to consistently excel in school. While my academic curiosity began at a young age, specifically in math, it wasn’t until fifth grade that I truly recognized my talent. My teacher at the time also noticed my abilities and arranged for me to tak e math classes two years ahead of my peers. I was thankful for this opportunity to challenge myself and grow academically. As I continued through middle school, I was also offered to take accelerated science classes.
Eventually, in high school, I developed a passion for chemistry. As a result of the accelerated middle school sciences, I was able to take self -paced chemistry my freshman year. I thrived in this class and was inspired to take AP Chemistry my junior year. It was then after deepening my understanding of chemistry that I knew I wanted to pursue a chemistry -related career. Beyond academics, my personal life has had an effect on my goals. Similar to many middle school students, I was insecure and awkward. To m ake matters worse, I had persistent acne throughout middle school. Many of my peers did not have to deal with acne yet and didn’t understand how it affects self -confidence. However, my experience with acne has given me motivation. I want to use my educatio n to make a lasting impact on others who have faced similar challenges. In my career, I aspire to become a chemical engineer specializing in pharmaceuticals. My education goals include earning a bachelor’s
degree in chemical engineering and then following that with a master’s degree with a focus on pharmaceutical applications. My end goal is to work for a pharmaceutical company and contribute to the delivery and effectiveness of acne medications. It is my dr eam to make these treatments efficient and affordable so the other kids like me can improve their self -confidence. I am who I am today because of the active and engaging lifestyle that I have lived. Countless busy nights and challenging courses have pushe d me to become the best version of myself. I am disciplined and determined to use my knowledge and skills that I will gain to better the lives of others. By pursuing a career involving chemical engineering and pharmaceuticals I hope to turn my childhood in securities into solutions that will make a difference.
STUDENT
INFORMATION
Student Name: TreytonSchulz
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Wapello Community Schools, Louisa County, Iowa
• Geographical Area: Louisa County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Iowa State University
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: Engineering
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing?
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: treytonschulz07@gmail.com
• Phone: 3195727629
• Permanent Address: 10186 County Rd H22 , Wapello, IA 52653
• Emergency Contact: Renee Eakins
• Emergency Contact Phone: 3197597691
• Emergency Contact Email: reneeschulz88@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-24
• GPA: 4.2857
• ACT Score (if applicable): 30
• SAT Score (if applicable):
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Aaron Schulz
• Relationship with the Applicant: Boss
• Reference Phone Number: 5157719359
• Reference Email: aaron@bbcemporium.com
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Iowa State University
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Robotics - 4 years During the building season, I spent about 20 -25 hours a week working on this. Not during the season, only about an hour a week. The season is about 8 weeks long and runs from mid-January to the end of March. Over the last two years, I have taken on more responsibility as a leader and was put in charge of designing, building, and coordinating meetings.
Activity #2: National Honor Society - 2 years. I spent approximately 2 hours a week working on various projects and attending meetings. We are only active during the 32 -week school year.
Activity #3: Wapello Food Bank - 5 years. The food bank runs year -round, and on the fourth Wednesday of every month, I would volunteer to help unload, box up, and carry out the food to the people who come to pick it up. This would take about 3 -4 hours, depending on the amount and the number of people who were picking up the food. This experience really showed me how fortunate I am to have the resources I have, as well as opened my eyes to how many people in my community need help meeting their basic needs.
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Job #1- Drone Operator for Frank Tiling and Drone Spraying. My job consisted of getting to the farm early and making sure all of the equipment and spare tanks on the trailer were filled up with gas, and then reporting to my boss to see where I was going t o spray that day. After receiving my instructions for the day, I was required to get the proper amount and type of chemical into the tanks before heading out to spray all day. Spraying consisted of driving to the correct field, setting up the drone controller, and then starting the pumps and generators. The rest of the job consisted of refilling the drone with a new battery and more chemicals each time it ran out, along with addressing any problems that might arise, like a clogged pump or blade. I worked here in both the summer of 2024 and 2025. I averaged about 60 -70 hours a week, with some weeks being in the upper 80's. Job#2Employee at BBC Emporium. This job consists of a variety of different things. Each day I come into work, I get to do something different. The business relies on having a broad spectrum of collectibles so that there is something for everyone to buy. While I have done a multitude of jobs here, the most common for me are sorting, blending, scanning, sleeving, and marking cards and c omics. While these
are my most common jobs, I have also been put in charge of mowing the lawn and painting the porch at various times during my tenure here. I have been working here for the last four years as sort of a filler job during the summer and when I have free time d uring the school year. The hours are really flexible, and my boss allows me to come in when it is best for me, which makes it an awesome job. During the summer, I average about 20 hours a week here, but during the school year, it is about 5 hours a week.
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
I grew up on a small 40 -acre farm just outside the small town of Oakville. We moved here when I was seven and have lived here ever since. There are seven members of my family: my parents, myself, my three younger brothers, and my younger sister. As I menti oned earlier, I grew up in the country, so my hobbies naturally revolved around the outdoors. My favorite outdoor activities include hunting, fishing, and riding four -wheelers. In my free time, I also enjoy playing sports and spending time with my younger brothers. When spending time with my younger siblings, we especially enjoy playing yard games and occasionally sitting around the fireplace with a card or board game. During the summer, I take time once a week to mow the local neighbor's lawn because she h as a disease that prevents her from being in the sun, and is no longer able to do it herself. My future educational plans are to attend Iowa State University to major in electrical engineering. I have already earned my AA degree at Southeastern Community College while I was in high school. My father is an electrical engineer. Over the years, I have been able to watch and learn from him to get an understanding of what the job requires. I am confident that the combination of the knowledge I have gained from watching him and the knowledge I will get from college classes and summer internships will empower me to succeed in the workforce after I graduate.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Haleigh Laud
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Wapello Community Schools, Louisa County, Iowa
• Geographical Area: Louisa County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: University of Rochester
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? Biology
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: haleighlaud@gmail.com
• Phone: 3195015888
• Permanent Address: 506 Locust St , Wapello, Iowa 52653
• Emergency Contact: Matthew Eakins
• Emergency Contact Phone: 5639402011
• Emergency Contact Email: spencer@stpaulqc.org
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-24
• GPA: 3.8
• ACT Score (if applicable): 31
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here:
• Reference Name: Sara Spencer
• Relationship with the Applicant: Church Pastor
• Reference Phone Number: 5633263547
• Reference Email: sara@stpaulqc.org
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? University of Rochester
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP FOUR school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sport s, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: Speech 4 years speech captain first 2 years. 8 hrs/week second place illinois regionals freshman year, third place illinois regionals sophomore year for Radio Speaking. Iowa state qualifier junior year.
Activity #2: Marching Band 4 years 10 hrs/week section leader of the front ensemble senior year
Activity #3: NHS 3 years 3 hrs/week
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Spencer Services Jon Spencer floor refinishing january 2020 -current summer job helping my uncle and grandfather refinish gym floors. company founded by my grandfather. 20 hrs/week
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes the main points, and a logical st ructure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or parents.
I am applying for this scholarship because, like many of these students, I believe that college is a fundamental step into my career of choice. i plan on majoring in biology with a pre -med path. I am financially independent and no longer receiving support from either of my parents. Despite my financial hardship, I believe that a good college is within my reach. My mother and father divorced when I was too young to remember, and my mother got custody. I grew up as a babysitter whenever she needed me to watch my siblings so she could go work or meet up with whatever man she was
dating at the time. As I grew up, I got increasingly frustrated with her and her lack of financial responsibility. so, when the opportunity to move to Iowa with my dad presented itself, I took it. While my decision seemed like the smartest at the time, it soon proved to be the opposite. I thought I had it made: my high school was known for its education, they were paying for my college classes, and I had 2 jobs I enjoyed. the workload soon caught up to me. I was waking up early to wake my brother, taking h im to school, going to school a half an hour away, working 30 hours a week, and balancing my own financial status. My father wasn't exactly the most responsible with money either. occasionally, I'd have to lend him money for rent or gas, losing out on the gas money I had saved for myself. This trend continued for a few months. Because of my constant money loaning, I had no money for gas to get to school or work. I had no motivation to go anyway. I felt completely isolated in such a large school with no soci al life. I expressed this to my aunt, who offered to let me live with her to finish out high school. so, in January of my junior year of high school, I got to live the way I wanted. I began going to school for real. I took college classes, participated in speech, and got a job near my SCC West Burlington. I rediscovered my love of Biology and everything science, and I threw myself into my classes at the college. I regained my love of school and learning and life. These classes and experiences reinforced my desire of becoming a medical specialist and majoring in biology in college. I am not a result of my parents' decisions, but rather a result of my actions, choices, and faith in myself. My aunt gave me the opportunity to be a teenager again, and I am forev er grateful for her generous offer. I refuse to not use my degree like my mother, and I refuse to not use my brain like my father. I refuse to be irresponsible like the both of them. With the support of my grandparents, my uncle, and my aunt, I plan on goi ng to college and becoming a doctor; something I didn't think was possible for me until now.
2September2025
Towhomitmayconcern-
ItisadelighttowritethisletterofrecommendationforHaleighLaudintoyouruniversity.AsapastorofSt.Paul LutheranChurchinDavenport,Iowa,IhaveknownHaleighsinceshewasayoungchild.Haleigh’sgrandfather caresforthefacilitiesofourchurch,andshecomeswithhimtoworkasoftenasshecan.I’vewatchedhergrow fromacuriousandcaringkidtoacuriousandcaringyoungadult,withself-confidenceandaworkethicthatisrare. Shehassomanyqualitiesthatwouldbenefityourlearningcommunity.
IamprettysurethatthefirstwordsHaleigheverspoketomewere,“howcanIhelp?”Asachild,shewouldoften cometochurchwithhergrandfather.Whilemanykidswouldfindanexcusetohideawaytoavoidpeopleor responsibility,Haleighleanedintotheopportunitytohelpandconnect.Shejumpedintohelpingwithhospitality, greetingguestsandhelpingpeoplefeelathome.Soonshewaswearingalanyardandnametag,eventhoughithung tonearlyherkneesinherchild’ssmallstature.She’dfollowmearoundtovariouslittlejobsaroundthebuilding, willingtodowhatwasneededandbrightenupourdayaswedidit.Allalongtheway,she’daskquestionsabout whatweweredoingandwhy,abouthowIwasandwhatwashappeningaroundus.
Thissamespiritofservinghascontinuedtothisday.Whileshecan’tgettochurchasmuchassheusedto, wheneversheisaround,sheimmediatelystartstohelp.Everythingfromcleaningupmessestoservingdonutsto carryingstufftogreetingpeople,she’swillingtodo.She’snotafraidtoaskquestions–togettoknowsomeoneor tofigureouthowsomethingworks,ortodosomethingbetter.IusuallyleavemyinteractionswithHaleighwitha smileonmyface.Lighter,somehow,bythetimewithher.
It’sasmallthing,Iknow,butHaleighlookspeopleintheeyewhenshetalks.Sheasksmeandothershowweare doingandremembersdetailsaboutourlives.Youcantakeherorherword.Oneweekend,alittlebitaftershehad herwisdomteethout,shesigneduptohelpwithgreetingatchurch,thinkingshe’dbehealed.Sheshowedupat church,justasshesaidshewould,eventhoughhercheekswerestillabitchipmunk-like.Iaskedherwhyshecame, eventhoughherfacewasswollenandshesaid,asifitwasobvious,“ItoldyouI’dbehere.So,I’mhere.”Haleigh knowswhatitmeanstofollowthrough.
Haleighworkshardalongsideheruncleandhergrandfatherontheirfloor-refinishingbusinesseverysummer.I’ve heardthecontributionsshe’smadeatherschool.Haleighhasadriveandvision.Haleigh’slifeisn’taneasyone.But shehasn’tlethercircumstanceslimither.She’sworkedhardandalwayswiththesamesortofspiritofthatquestion sheaskedasakid,“howcanIhelp?”Ithinkthisishowshelivesinbiggerways,too.Shewantstolivewithservice intheworld,tolearnandworktomakeadifferenceintheworld.Ibelievethatstudyingatyourschoolcanbeapart ofprovidingherwithawaytolivethiscommitment.Yourschool,andthisworld,willbeblessedbyHaleigh,justas Ihavebeen,andourchurchhasbeen.
Thankyou!Ifyouhavefurtherquestions,pleasebeintouch,byphone:563-326-3547oremailat sara@stpaulqc.org
Sincerely,
SaraOlson-Smith AssociatePastor
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name: Amelia Harness
• Type of Student: Senior in High School Graduating in the Spring of 2026
• High School: Warsaw High School
• Geographical Area: Van Buren County Iowa
• Will you be attending Southeastern Community College (Keokuk, Fort Madison, or West Burlington Campus) in the Fall of 2026? No
• College / University / Trade School Attending in Fall of 2026: Iowa State University
STUDY / MAJOR
• Area of Study: STEM Related (Science, Math, Biology)
• If you selected OTHER, what major will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
• If you selected Liberal Arts, what study/major will you be pursuing (if applicable?
• If you selected STEM, what study/major will you be pursuing? Animal Science pre vet med
• If you selected trade school, what trade will you be pursuing (if applicable)?
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Email: amelia.harness08@gmail.com
• Phone: 3092090820
• Permanent Address: 25 East St , Basco , IL 62313
• Emergency Contact: Heidi Cepeda
• Emergency Contact Phone: 2172425390
• Emergency Contact Email: hjharness@gmail.com
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
• Date of High School Graduation: 2026 -05-17
• GPA: 2.92
• ACT Score (if applicable): 17
• SAT Score (if applicable): N/A
• In the 2026 -2027 school year, will you be a: Full-time student
• Provide any necessary clarification on your full -time/part -time status or year in school here: I am currently taking college courses to transfer to Iowa State University.
• Reference Name: Missy Harness
• Relationship with the Applicant: High School Science Teacher
• Reference Phone Number: 2176176815
• Reference Email: mfinchwk12@warsawschooldistrict.com
CURRENT COLLEGE INFORMATION (if applicable)
• If you are currently a college student, what college do you attend? Iowa State University
• If you are currently a college student, what year are you in college? (If you are NOT a college student, skip this question)
• If you are currently a college student, what is your anticipated graduation date?
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In the spaces below, list and provide details on the TOP THREE school and/or community activities that you have participated in during the last four years and that you feel are related to this scholarship. You may wish to include clubs, debate, school sports, student government, fine arts, volunteer work, community fine arts or athletic programs, religious activities, 4 -H, etc. etc. For each school and/or community activities, please include:
• the number of years you participated in the activity
• the approximate number of hours per week and weeks per year spent participating, and
• any leadership positions, letters earned, awards, or recognition received for participation.
Activity #1: BUCC Youth Group Four Years with 1.5 hours per week average for 52 weeks Held position of Vice President and Secretary Various community service events such as serving at a soup kitchen, shopping for local family for Christmas, Leader at VBS during the sum mer, highway clean up, serve meals to church community
Activity #2: Volleyball at High school and club team Four Years with 10 hours per week average for 28 weeks High school varsity letter earned 2 years; Received the most assists award; Club team received a bid for nationals tournament
Activity #3: Student Council Representative Class representative for four years Average of 30 minutes per week during school
WORK EXPERIENCE
In the space below, list and provide details on a work experience (including self -employment) that you have had during the last four years that you feel might be related to this scholarship. For the work experience (s), please include:
• the employer
• the nature of the work (including supervisory positions)
• the dates of employment, and
• the hours worked per week.
Phibro Animal Health - Research Facility Animal Care Specialist - takes care of the animals at the research lab including cleaning the facility they are housed in; supports the laboratory work Jan 2026
- Present 18 hours per week Repete Coffee and Candle Bar Barista - customer service for customers coming to order drinks; makes the drinks and various other food items; various cleaning and stocking of the store Dec 2024 - Present 6 hours per week Jimmy John's Cashier Oct 2024 -Dec 2024 6 hours per week
ESSAY
Please submit an essay describing yourself, including personal aspirations and career goals. BE HONEST AND TRUE TO YOURSELF. Consider the scholarship guidelines when deciding what to include in your essay. You may also report any additional information tha t you believe should be considered in reviewing your application. The essay should contain a clear introduction with a thesis statement, well -developed body paragraphs with supporting evidence, a conclusion that summarizes
the main points, and a logical structure that connects ideas coherently. Please do not engage in plagiarism when writing this essay. Please cite your sources. Plagiarized essays will be grounds for disqualification and reporting to the high school and/or p arents.
Growing up in a small town has shaped who I am in more ways than I ever realized. My name is Amelia Harness, and I am from Basco, Illinois. Being the youngest of three children in a close family has taught me responsibility, independence, and the importanc e of community. Living in a small town has given me unique opportunities to grow through service, leadership, and hard work. Faith has always been an important part of my life. My family is very involved in our country church, and throughout high school I have been an active member of our youth group. Through this, I have had the opportunity to serve as a leader for Vacation Bible School, volunteer at a soup kitchen in Quincy, serve meals to our church congregation, and help organize Christmas shopping for a local family in need. These experiences have taught me compassion, leadership, and the importance of giving back to others. When I served as a leader for VBS, I enjoyed being with the younger kids and being a good role model for them. It's great to be able to teach kids that helping when you're older is fun. I also appreciate sharing my christian values with young kids and teaching them that being kind to others is a good thing to do. Also, I was able to volunteer to serve at the soup kitchen in Quincy to feed meals to those in need. This event really showed me the value of appreciating the simple gifts I have in life because many of these people do not have very much. You can tell on people's faces that kindness was the greatest gift of all because I i magine that not everyone is kind to them. Being able to serve them brought as much joy to me as it did to them.
Shopping for a local family for Christmas was something I enjoyed doing to help a family that usually we knew from school. We were able to bring joy to a family during Christmas. It was fun to be a secret Santa because the kids at school did not know that we helped buy the presents. It is wonderful to see the happiness on the parents' faces when we bring the gifts because it really helps them. In addition to my church involvement, I stay active in my school and community. I participate in student council, volleyball, basketball, Environmental Club, and Help -A-Thon community service projects. In my senior year I was able to help with the Warsaw Friendship baskets. I also serve as a peer tutor for an elementary classroom, which has improved my communicatio n skills. I am an active member of Hancock County Teen Court, where I have learned about responsibility and fairness within the justice system. Education is very important to me and with lots of dedication I have been able to balance these activities while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Alongside my extracurricular involvement, I have worked part -time for over a year at Repete Coffee Bar. Through this job, I have learned the value of hard work, time management, and customer service. Recently, I began working at Ph ibro Animal Health’s research farm, where I help care for animals. This experience has increased my desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and confirmed that working with animals is definitely my passion. Ever since I was little, I have dreamed of becoming a veterinarian for both large and small animals. Growing up in a rural community has shown me how important animal health is for all animals, not only for families and pets, but also for our local farmers. To accomplish this goal, I plan to att end Iowa State University and major in Animal Science before applying to the veterinary program. I will earn my doctorate degree and serve communities like my own for both our pets at home and our farm animals that provide us with the food on our tables. This career is very service focused and I look forward to serving my community as their veterinarian.
I have learned to appreciate the opportunities available to me growing up in the small town I did. I was able to be involved in many different areas such as my church, volunteer work, extra curricular activities through school, and also lucky enough to fi nd a job that gave me confirmation on the career path I want to go into. I am motivated to make a difference through veterinary medicine. Growing up, I have learned the importance of serving others, including the animals we have in our homes and on our f arms.
November 5, 2025
To the Scholarship Selection Committee:
As a Biology and Anatomy instructor at Warsaw High School and a member of the Hancock County community, I have had the pleasure of knowing Amelia Harness both in and out of the classroom. She has taken on many responsibilities within the school and community setting.
As a high school student, Amelia is very hardworking and committed to her education. I believe that her excellent transcripts will attest to that fact. In my classroom, she was an active participant in classroom discussions and was a valuable asset when peers were having difficulties. She, in my mind, is an extremely respectful and fun-loving person. Her endearing personality and kindness towards others sets her apart from others. Her commitment and leadership in the classroom prove to me that Amelia will be a valuable asset to any future employer and will enable her to be very successful in college life.
In addition, Amelia balanced college-level classes with extra curricular activities. Amelia is a very active member of our WHS Student Council, the WHS Environmental Club, and a four year member of our successful Titan volleyball team and a two year member of our Titan basketball team. Because of her academic success, Amelia was inducted into the WHS Academic Honor Society. While she was busy with these activities she maintained high honor roll status for four years. Amelia was also a dedicated community service worker. She was involved in our WHS Help-a-Thon campaign where students from WHS help local neighborhoods and families in need. Amelia has also maintained a part time job and was involved as a leader in her church youth group. It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendations for Amelia Harness.
Her drive, abilities, community service, and academic achievements make her a worthy candidate for this scholarship. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Melissa Finch
WHS Biology Department
