2014 RESDC Scholarship Award Recipients
Zachary R Bluestein is sponsored by Charlotte Bluestein (Grandmother). Zachary is graduating from D.C. Everest Senior High, Weston, WI, with a 3.977 GPA; ranked 11 of 432. Zachary’s personal statement reads, “My desire to perform community service is sincere and stems from my devotion to make a difference in our world. As president of my Jewish Youth Group, I was responsible for the delivery of meals to elderly congregants. The joy I experienced from seeing their grateful smiles has left a lasting impression on me. This past year, I have had the exceptionally rewarding experience of working as a math tutor at the University of Wisconsin, Marathon County Campus. Here, I educated students enrolled in this campus at all levels of mathematics. Equally important to me and also critical to improving society is education. I believe that academic discovery is the key to unlocking society’s most pressing problems, it is something far greater than learning in the context of grades and awards.” Zachary’s goals in college are to develop his thinking skills, research expertise, and the experience to become a difference maker. He plans to obtain both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biomedical engineering, and plans to attend a medical school with notable research opportunities.
Sarah Herrman is sponsored by Janet Herrman (Mother). Sarah is graduating from Academy of Our Lady of Peace, San Diego, CA, with a 4.45 GPA; ranked 1 of 169. Sarah’s personal statement reads, “Since I was a freshman, I have been a part of the California Scholarship Federation and since I was a sophomore, I have been a part of the National Honor Society. However, what sets me apart from others is my dedication to community involvement outside of my school life. For the past two summers, I have been graced with the opportunity to attend a summer pre-medical program and surgery program, respectively, at the University of California, Irvine. I managed to receive the surgery skills award for my abilities on the laparoscopic practice stations. These experiences introduced me to the world of medicine and solidified my desire to become a medical doctor. During the summer of 2012 and 2013, I worked as a counselor at Camp Stevens, a summer camp located in Julian, CA. I wanted to impact the lives of the youth just as I was impacted when I was a camper. I belong to ZLAC, the oldest women’s rowing club in the world, where I joined in the fall of my junior year. Rowing is a difficult sport because it takes an incredibly high level of physical and mental endurance in order to practice, let alone compete. However, at ZLAC, I have found coaches and teammates who have challenged and enabled me to become a stronger rower and a more resilient woman. Although these activities often make my weekdays long and my weekends busy, I absolutely love playing an active role in my community.” Sarah’s interests range from scholastics to Student Council; from youth counseling to rowing. Next year, she is looking forward to attending Brown University, Providence, RI or the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Joseph Johnson is sponsored by Estelle Charbonneau (Grandmother). Joseph is graduating from Atascadero HS, Atascadero, CA, with a 4.46 GPA; ranked 1 of 311, he is slated as the class Valedictorian. He has volunteered in several local agencies like The Atascadero Christian Home, Vacation Bible school, 4H, and several community events. Joseph’s personal statement reads, “Growing up in a small rural town, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in various activities that have molded me into a man of many traits. I am always one of the shortest players on the basketball court no matter where I play. In a game designed for “freakishly” tall humans, at 5’10”, I tend to be the outlier. Many see this as a setback, but I’ve come to cope with my less than ideal size for the sport. On my high school varsity team, I bring such intensity to the court that I’ve gained notoriety as being the “Pit Bull.” Although I can’t control how much I grow, I can control how hard I work. In the classroom I find myself trying to answer every question the teacher asks. In fact, since my hand is constantly raised, I’ve been deemed the “Joe-bot;” and other students are baffled as to how I retain subject matter so well. Somewhere along my journey into adulthood, I’ve come to appreciate the personal qualities and experiences that I’ve garnered to become a self-actualized individual. I know that these qualities will transition into my career as a confident and committed physician.” Joseph plans on attending Brown University and pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. His career aspirations are to become a Medical Doctor.
Kathryn Elise Patrick is sponsored Charles L. Patrick (Grandfather). Kathryn is graduating from Palmer Ridge High School, Monument, CO, with a 4.184 GPA; ranked 8 of 273. Kathryn has applied to several renowned four-year liberal arts colleges across the country, and plans on majoring in English; a subject area that she loves, and eventually become an Editor in Chief at a publishing company. Kathryn’s personal statement reads, “It has always been a dream of mine to make a living through telling stories and hope that by attending a top college I will be set on the path to achieve this dream. While at college, I hope to study abroad in either England or France, so as to continue to foster my knowledge of other cultures and my great love for travel. Both of my parents are public high school teachers and have taught me through their work the benefits of giving back through community service. I personally am involved in both my school’s Key Club and National Honor Society, through which I engage in various community service activities. Through Key Club I have been given the opportunity to act as a volunteer with our local food bank Tri-Lakes Cares, sorting food donated through the annual Harvest of Love campaign and putting together Thanksgiving baskets for those less fortunate. This year, as part of my involvement in the National Honor Society, I plan to be a counselor at High Trails, a nature camp for 5th graders. One way I serve my school community is through my great dedication as Editor-in-Chief of our student newspaper. No matter my career path, I definitely plan to still be involved in aiding my community through personal service.” In the words of one of Kathryn’s references, “She challenges herself by a rigorous class load, by staying ahead of her many commitments, and by approaching everything with aplomb.”
Mckenna A. Wade is sponsored by Joan McVeigh (Grandmother). McKenna is graduating from Great Oak High School, Temecula, CA, with a 4.31 GPA; ranked 45 of 792. Her interests range from, networking to generate donations for the local food pantry, to assisting at hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, from participating in Marine Corps sponsored “Family Days”, to faith based community outreach events. Mckenna’s personal statement reads, “My dad was an Active Duty Marine from before I was born until January last year. Dad was gone a lot. When he was home, I usually saw him for an hour at dinnertime. Effectively, I lived in a single-parent home for 17 years, so I learned to value time with family. Moving was hard – leaving friends, changing schools, pulling up roots. In retrospect, I see the positive ways these experiences shaped me. I learned to give of myself so I’d be someone you’d want as a friend. This isn’t a rant – I’m proud to be a Marine kid. It’s exposed me to things I’d have never experienced without it. It developed my organized, efficient nature and made me a responsible contributor people can count on.” Mckenna may pursue a major in biological studies and minor (or double major) in marketing; with the ultimate goal of attending medical school to become a physician. Her interest in marketing stems from an interest in what motivates consumers and how businesses use those motivations to their advantage. She believes such skills could be used to create advertising campaigns for preventative medicine or healthy lifestyle tips – wherein her love of biology and marketing could be combined. Given the fact that she had the “uncommon privilege” of being raised in an atmosphere of dedication and service, she would like to give back to her country.
This year, in loving memory of LaRue Pierce, Director and Scholarship Chair for the first 18 years of RESDC’s scholarship program, a special award was granted. Honoring LaRue and her spirit of community service, our Board decided to grant a $250 scholarship to the student that best reflected a similar level of community service:
Julia Thackrey is sponsored by Dean Thackrey (Grandfather). Julia is our choice for the Community Service Award. Julia is graduating from Matter Dei Catholic High School, Chula Vista, CA, with a 4.0 GPA; ranked 17 of 139. Julia’s personal statement reads, “If it is possible that a single moment can shift a person’s entire perspective, then for me that moment happened the winter of 4th grade. Every year, my family adopted a family in need for Christmas. That year, my parents requested a family whose children were the same age as my siblings and me. Each child made a list of what they wanted for Christmas. The little girl who was my counterpart wrote only one thing on her list; a pair of shoes. Before then, I had never thought of a pair of shoes as a gift. They were just something I needed. In that moment, I was filled with humility and gratitude. I would never forget that Christmas wish.” Fast forward to Julia’s Junior HS year; during that year, Julia planned, organized and implemented a shoe drive to benefit the homeless throughout San Diego County. This effort generated donations of over 600 pairs of shoes. The shoe drive was successful beyond expectation. However, to Julia the most fulfilling aspect of this effort was her ability to inspire and motivate others. In Julia’s words, “when you give of yourself, your talents, your time, your compassion, the world is better for you having been there. The gift of compassionate service will forever be mine to bring to every community that I join.”
Thank you to all 30 applicants who filed for this year’s RESDC Scholarships. County retirees must feel very proud of their children and grandchildren, and their scholastic, civic and social accomplishments. Their strength and passion in their pursuits reassure us of the possibility of a brighter future for our country. Best wishes to all for your continued success.
Our most sincere appreciation and credit for the success of this year’s Scholarship Program goes to the Scholarship Selection Committee (judges): Joann Liddell, Jeri Booker, and Anne Schwartz. Our judges worked independently from each other, and their effort generated a clear consensus for the selection of our final recipients. We are grateful to have them as members of the RESDC team.
THEO AND EVELYN YAKEL 2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to the eight recipients of the Theo and Evelyn Yakel Scholarships for 2014! Each scholarship award is for $1,000. The following are the eight scholarship recipients:
Abbigail Annicchiarico, sponsored by her grandmother, Judith Piper.
Sarah Herrman, sponsored by her mother, Janet Herrman.
Joseph Johnson, sponsored by his grandmother, Estelle Charbonneau.
Cassidy Parong, sponsored by her grandmother, Lourdes Parong.
Isabella Speedon, sponsored by her grandmother, Irene Moreno.
Julia Thackrey, sponsored by her grandfather, Dean Thackrey.
Dominique Vargas, sponsored by her late grandmother, Bettie McGoyne.
Paige Zebrowski, sponsored by her grandmother, Janille Todd.