The Seedling College Scholarships, founded by Kalí and Dan Rourke in 2007, send a strong and clear message to 8th graders in the Seedling Mentor Program: We believe in you! Scholarships are awarded in a competitive process in which a selection committee reviews a student essay and a letter from their mentor from each applicant. The $8,000 award is then held in trust, subject to graduation from high school. The awardee can use their scholarship for college, vocational school or a certification program of their choice. This year, we were thrilled to present and recognize six outstanding 8th grade mentees with the Seedling Scholarship at our Mentor Appreciation Luncheon. Here are some quotes from their essays;
“I would like to be the first person from my family to graduate from college and I would like to be an architect someday!”
“My mentor was incredibly impactful, shaping both my academic path and my personal development. “
“Friends come and go, but my mentor has always stayed.”
“I plan to graduate from HS with an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.”
“My mentor makes me happy every time I get to see her.”
“I can sincerely say that my mentor is one of my greatest supporters.”
Additionally, Seedling presented two matched seniors with a $10,000 Scholarship each. One of these lucky seniors was awarded the Treece-Callahan Family Scholarship, which was created recognizing that financial worries can be an impediment to seeking and succeeding in post-secondary education. The intent was to provide a scholarship that would substantially alleviate the financial challenges faced by a student pursuing their post high school dreams, allowing the student to focus on their studies, thrive in the academic setting, and attain their degree. The second lucky senior won the Seedling Matching Scholarship.
We are so grateful for the contributors that made all of these scholarships a reality, including the Rourkes, the Treece-Callahan Family, Mike and Sally Metchan, the Carol K. Engler Foundation, John Blazier and Kathleen Mack (who donated a scholarship in honor of Sari Waxler, founding Executive Director of Seedling), the Yonge Foundation, Valerie and Eric Francois and Rosalie and Joe Oliveri.
Since the Seedling scholarship program began, we have awarded over $415,000 in scholarships to outstanding Seedling mentees. Seedling mentors Rachel Brownlow Lund, Desiree Juarez, and Tina Richardson had the privilege of watching their mentees grow and thrive after recieving their scholarship awards, and shared with the crowd their perspective on their mentees’ journeys and successes. Additionally, many of our Scholars from past years either joined us in person or shared through correspondence, how they have benefited from having a Seedling mentor and receiving the scholarship.
“I am a University of Texas at Austin graduate, and am now working as a Site Coordinator for ACE at Austin Independent School District.”
“I am attending the University of Texas at San Antonio, and have one more year to go to graduate with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Computer Science.”
“ I am currently attending ACC with the plan to transfer to Texas State and pursue Business with a focus on Human Resources.”
“I am attending Beloit College, I am on the Dean’s list and majoring in Physics.”
“I joined the Army and trained to become a Medic.”
“I am currently a sophomore at the University of North Texas and majoring in biology. I have decided to change my career goal from optometry to forensics.”
“I am working towards becoming a certified Honda mechanic.”
“I am currently nearing the end of my second year at the University of Texas, majoring in Geological Sciences.”
“I am attending ACC to pursue a certificate in medical assistance.”
This is just a small sampling of the success of our mentees, past and present. We are so thankful to our mentors for helping ignite the spark of unlimited possibilities with these hardworking, bright students!