A scholarship in memory of Hannah Church will be offered to this year’s graduating class at Fort Atkinson High School. Established at the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation from many memorial gifts made by family and friends, this new scholarship fund will offer financial assistance to a graduating senior at Fort Atkinson High School who has been involved in the school’s show choir program.
Hannah was a 16-year-old junior at Fort Atkinson High School in October 2016 when her life was cut short by a tragic car accident. At Fort High, Hannah was well-known for her love of show choir where her spirit, leadership, initiative and personality made a positive impact on everyone around her. To honor her memory, Hannah’s family established this scholarship to assist students like Hannah who loved, and fostered, the comradery of show choir.
“This is an incredibly thoughtful way to remember Hannah,” noted show choir director, Craig Engstrom. “She was a breath of fresh air. Hannah was a hardworking student who was ready to rehearse at every moment. She brought a smile to every rehearsal and never complained. She was always striving to be a better performer. I was proud of her when she was selected to be in our school’s top show choir. She will be missed.”
Engstrom’s description of Hannah was echoed by Matt Noll, English teacher at Fort Atkinson High School. “Hannah had that unique ability to light up a room with her smile,” stated Noll. “She made everyone around her better – and now with this scholarship, she will continue to do so.”
To be eligible, applicants must have participated in one of the show choir programs at Fort Atkinson High School or with show choir related activities such as stage crew or band. They also must, at the time of application for the scholarship, have maintained a cumulative gradepoint average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and be planning to pursue either a two-year or four-year program of studies at a college or university. There is no restriction as to the field of study.
The selection of a recipient will be based on the applicant’s character, the content of an essay outlining the applicant’s plans, personality, initiative, leadership, and their involvement with show choir. Financial need will be considered.
The total amount to be awarded for the 2017-18 school year is $1,000.
Interested applicants should visit the Community Foundation’s website, www.fortfoundation.org, and follow the links to the scholarship pages. Here applicants will be guided to Fort Scholarships, the Foundation’s online scholarship application website, which will walk them through the application process.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Feb. 15, 2017.
For more information about this new scholarship, or about any of the scholarships offered by the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, contact program administrator Sue Hartwick at (920) 563-3210 (office), (920) 222-1191 (mobile) or via email at facf@fortfoundation.org.