Shawano Community High School graduate Rachel Marquette has received a Student Volunteer Award from Scholarship America Dollars for Scholars.
Marquette was awarded a scholarship for her postsecondary education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was chosen for her dedication and service to her community, as well as strong academic achievement at SCHS.
During her high school career, Marquette was a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, student council, president of FAAR (Fighting Against Abusive Relationships) and 4-H. She entered her photography and visual art material in many competitions, receiving first place for several entries. She played the violin and shared her love of music by volunteering to play in many activities outside of her orchestra classes, such as the school musicals.
Her volunteer work included being a Bridge Leader, where she helped freshmen adapt to the changes that come along with the transition from middle school to high school. In Teachers of Tomorrow and Brainworks, she spent several hours each week helping third- to sixth-grade students with their homework and serving as a mentor.
Rachel also participated in Destination Imagination each year since elementary school, helping her to learn team-building, creativity and public speaking skills. Her teams won several awards.
“Rachel had an outstanding career at Shawano Community High School,” said Stuart Russ, president of Shawano Dollars for Scholars. “We wish her well as she embarks upon the next stage of her academic journey this fall.”
Marquette plans to pursue a major in music education at UW-Stevens Point.
“On behalf of Scholarship America, we are honored to be able to award such a talented and giving young woman with this scholarship,” said Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America. “Rachel Marquette embodies exactly what Scholarship America and our Dollars for Scholars program is about — serving communities at a grassroots level to improve the lives of local citizens from the ground up.”
Fifteen students were chosen nationwide to receive a $1,000 scholarship based on volunteerism, community service and academics.
Shawano Dollars for Scholars was started in 1993. That first year, the organization handed out 16 $500 awards. This year, it handed out over $440,000 in scholarships, helping 266 students with their college expenses.