Two Area Youth Earn Scholarships
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Triangle Communications recently announced the names of twenty-seven area youth who won 2020 $1,000 Triangle Communication Scholarships. Among those recipients are two Blaine County residents: Raynee Hasler of Chinook and Tashon Scheaffer of Harlem.
To win the scholarship committee's vote, the two young women had to provide evidence of academic achievement, community and school activity participation and leadership, and volunteer service and employment. A recommendation from an unrelated third party evaluator and a personal statement were also part of the application process.
In addition to being a subscriber or a dependent of a subscriber who receives landline telephone, broadband or mobile telephone service from Triangle Communications, eligible applicants must be pursuing their first degree or certificate and must not have been a recipient of a Triangle scholarship in the past.
Hasler will be attending MSU-Northern this fall to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. From the first time an elementary student ran up to her and hugged her tightly around the waist, she knew that she loved kids. But it wasn't until she started babysitting when she turned 13 that she knew with certainty that she wanted to pursue a degree in elementary education upon graduation from high school.
During her senior year at Chinook High School, hoping to gain some experience in a classroom setting as a way of preparing her for what to expect when she becomes a teacher herself, Hasler signed up to be a teacher's aide at Meadowlark Elementary School. "Although I was a little nervous at first, it was soon the best part of my day. Not only did I receive 20 free hugs every day, I also got to be a part of so many wonderful kids' lives and their education," she said.
Hasler reported that working as a teacher's aide taught her that teaching is not all hugs, joy, and seeing a child's face light up when excited about something. "Teaching is no easy task. There were days that my buttons got pushed to the max, and the job got overwhelming. However, I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life in any other career. Yes, I will be challenged and have to overcome obstacles on a daily basis. But for me, it's all worth it. If I can help a child understand a once difficult concept and get them excited about learning, I will consider myself so fortunate to have such an amazing profession. I will be able to be a part of a child's life and share important experiences by learning with them every day."
To guide her along the way as she lives out her lifelong dream of "being the best teacher I know how to be," Hasler plans to use the wisdom of President Abraham Lincoln, "Whatever you are, be a good one."
Schaeffer could not be reached by press time.
