by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
Two seniors were awarded $500 Citizen of the Year scholarships at a recent Sauk Rapids City Council meeting.
Amber Kulow, daughter of Lisa and Kraig Kulow, along with Colleen Schimnich, daughter of Julie and Kurt Schimnich, are both well deserving of the awards, said Ross Olson, city administrator.
Throughout high school, Kulow has been involved in concert choir, the National Honor Society, Project for Teens, WE Day, Link Crew and the prom committee, according to the school district. She is a choir officer and the vice president of the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School National Honor Society. Kulow will attend Hamline University to pursue a major in criminal justice with a focus in forensic science.
Schimnich was a captain of the cross-country team, secretary of the National Honor Society and selected to attend the Minnesota Mile Leadership Camp, American Legion Girls State camp and was a student Kiwanis representative. She is also a member of the Culinary Management Team, taking first place at state and advancing to nationals. In addition, Colleen is also the current treasurer of the Sauk Rapids Riverside Leos Club, enjoys volunteering and is active in her church. Schimnich will attend St. Cloud State University to pursue a degree in either medicine or hospitality and management.
Kulow wrote a letter to the city council, which can be read in its entirety below:
Dear Mr. Ross Olson,
I am extremely happy that I was the recipient of the $500 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year scholarship. I would just like you to know how much I appreciate your generous support toward my future education, financially.
This scholarship is important because I can put it toward my college tuition. I am attending Hamline University in the fall. This is a private school; this being said, it is more expensive than some. I am planning on pursuing a degree in the forensic criminology direction, but am unsure if I will work toward the science aspect, or if I will work on the social part. My top goal is to complete four years at Hamline, continue on for a master’s degree, land a job, and ultimately work my way into the FBI or another federal organization.
As you can see, my dreams are big. By awarding me this scholarship, I am closer to achieving the next step to reach them, education. I would like to again send you a sincere thank you for the monetary donation. With it, I will work to achieve my dreams!
Sincerely,
Amber Kulow
