The Lassen and Plumas California Retired Teachers Association has named four 2020 graduates who will be receiving scholarship awards to continue their education in the fall.
“Despite the pandemic we had 18 applications for our scholarships and gave four $500 scholarships,” said Donna Morelini, head of the Scholarship Committee. “We received student applications from Big Valley, Chester, Lassen, Portola, and Quincy High Schools. All of the applicants were very deserving so our judges once again had a tough job.”
This year’s winners are Kaitlyn Nakanishi and Gabriela Nielsen from Lassen, Emily Sheridan of Portola and Rosalie Houser from Chester High School.
The association has provided the following bios for the award winners:
“Emily Sheridan graduated from Portola High School and is one of eight children in her family. She has always aspired to be a leader of her peers and has been a team captain, class president and was voted ASB President during the 2019/2020 school year. She has been active in her community and loves to go on adventures in the great outdoors.
“She has always been active in her church and stated: “My faith is the foundation of my life and I believe that God is guiding me and that he has a plan”. She plans to attend Feather River College to play basketball while pursuing a degree in either law or criminal justice. One of her teachers described Emily as a ‘person with integrity and grit’ always dedicating herself to achieving her best.”
“Gabriela Nielsen was a Co-Valedictorian for Lassen High School and comes for a family of 5 children with two teachers as parents. She plans to attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii in the fall pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Gabi is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints playing the piano for meetings, servers as representative for the Youth Council and the State Youth Council.
“While in high school she has been active in performing arts, soccer and the LHS Biology Field Trip. She has been an intern for a local CPA, taught piano, lifeguarded, cleaned homes, been a math tutor, babysat, been a dancer in many disciplines, and a house sitter. The money earned has been placed in her college fund since she was 5 years old!
“While in high school she has taken every AP Class available and earned straight A’s in all classes every semester. A former teacher, bishop and businessman stated, ‘Gabriela has exemplified outstanding character in all respects. She excels academically and athletically and always is willing to serve others.'”
“Kaitlyn Nakanishi is Lassen’s other Co-Valedictorian who has two teenage sisters and a mother who is a teacher. Her father died in an accident when she was 10 leaving her mother as the single income provider. After his death Kaitlyn “felt the need to fill the big shoes he left and began to take over all the jobs that he once fulfilled (at home)”.
“Upon entering high school she set out on a rigorous track, exhausting all AP classes while taking college classes. As a senior she had a course-load of 5 AP classes and 2 online college classes – she was also rewarded with straight A’s!
“She was active in the school’s Interact Club, CSF, Soccer, FBLA, Performing Arts, Pep Band and Field Hockey. Community wise she performed in Best of Broadway, the Susanville Symphony (1st violin), Dance recitals, very active in her church, taught private violin lessons and even earned at Black Belt at our local Martial Arts Club. During her junior year she was selected to attend the National Leadership Forum for National Security.
“Kaitlyn has been accepted to both Point Loma Nazarene University and UC Davis Honors College and plans to major in Biochemistry, minor in music as well as to complete her pre-law requisites. Following college she will enter Law School with a goal of working as an analyst for the F.B.I.”
“Rosalie Houser was a 2019 graduate of Chester High School who experienced severe medical problems (cancer surgery/concussion) during her final semester of high school and ask us to consider her application – the committee accepted her application. Rosalie was a very active student in both clubs and athletics in addition to numerous community activities and her church. She is a member of the Susanville Symphony playing the violin in 5 concerts a year. Her opening statement said “confidence breeds success and success breeds confidence.”
“Her goal is to become an occupational therapist specializing in equine-assisted therapy. Her plan is to pursue a psychology degree with a minor in kinesiology, followed by a masters in occupational therapy. Her high school grades reflect a very serious student who took all available AP classes at Chester High plus college class at the local junior college. She will be attending Corban University fall.”
“All of our winners are exceptional young women who have outstanding work ethics, are intelligent, motivated, trustworthy, and prepared for college – best wishes to all of them,” said Morelini who thanked the members of the scholarship committee, Chris Jones, Julie McKee, Ray Craig and Barbara Selsor, who have all served for many years, saying they do a ‘fantastic job.’
