ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Along with providing one-to-one mentor relationships for local youth, one of the main focuses of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is college and career readiness, and helping youth not only prepare for their futures, but get excited about the future.
As part of its dedication to helping youth in Central Minnesota secure a brighter outlook for the future, BBBS is proud to award the Federated Challenge® Scholarship to graduates in the program. The scholarship, which is available exclusively to youth involved with the program as a Little or a High School Big, is awarded to participants who plan to continue their education in a non-four year post-secondary program at an accredited Minnesota school that is focused on apprenticeship, certificate, trade school, technical, or community college.
This year, more than $46,000 was awarded in Federated Challenge® Scholarships, bringing BBBS of Central Minnesota’s spring total to nearly $50,000 in scholarships awarded to 14 individuals.
The 2024 recipients of the Federated Challenge® Scholarship are:
Andrea Wills, a Sartell high School graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical and Community College to pursue a major in business.
Bryce Sweeter, a Foley High School graduate, is continuing his postsecondary education at Rochester Community and Technical College where he’s studying radiography.
Destanee Piekarski, a Pierz Healy High School graduate, plans to attend Central Lakes College and work towards her AA degree.
Elissa Pawlu, a Pierz Healy High School graduate, is continuing her postsecondary education at Central Lakes College where she’s studying to be a Registered Nurse.
Elmer Snavley, a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduate, is continuing his postsecondary education at Lake Superior College where he is studying electrical technologies.
Hannah Borkenhagen, a Foley High School graduate, is continuing her postsecondary education at St. Cloud Technical and Community College where she’s working towards a degree in nursing.
Hazel Snavely, a Pelican Rapids Secondary graduate, plans to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College to pursue a degree in interior design.
Kaitlyn Paulson, a Foley High School graduate, plans to attend Ridgewater College to pursue a degree as a vet technician.
Katelynn Pollard, a Foley High School graduate, is continuing her postsecondary education at St. Cloud Technical and Community College where she is pursuing a degree in early childhood education.
Makayla Thayer, a St. Cloud Apollo High School graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College to obtain her Liberal Arts & Science AAS.
Maya Herbst, a Foley High School graduate, plans to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College to major in interior design.
Rylen Paavola, a Sartell High School graduate, is continuing his postsecondary education at St. Cloud Technical and Community College where he is pursuing a degree in business.
Terran Bursch, a FoleyHigh School graduate, plans to attend Central Lakes College to pursue a career as a conservation officer.
Zakaria Said, a St. Cloud Apollo High School graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College to pursue a degree in automotive mechanics.