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 high school 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 $38,000 was awarded in Federated Challenge®Scholarships, bringing BBBS of Central Minnesota’s spring total to more than $40,000 in scholarships awarded to 15 individuals.
The 2023 recipients of the Federated Challenge® Scholarship are:
Bryce Sweeter, a Foley High School graduate, is continuing his postsecondary education at Mayo Clinic School of Health and Sciences where he’s studying radiography.
Dwayne Powell, a St. Cloud Cathedral graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical and Community College to pursue a major in business.
Elissa Pawlu, a Pierz Healy High School graduate, plans to attend Central Lakes College to pursue a Registered Nurse degree.
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 licensed practical nursing.
Kailey Sindt, a Sartell High School graduate, is continuing her postsecondary education at St. Cloud Technical and Community College where she is working towards her AA degree.
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.
Kelsey Jonas, a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduate, plans to attend Model College of Hair Design to focus on hair, skin and lashes.
Mariam Abdinasir, a St. Cloud Tech graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical and Community College to major in political science.
McKenna Gross, a Foley High School graduate, is continuing her postsecondary education at St. Cloud Technical and Community College where she is working toward a degree in dental assisting.
Rylan Paavola, a Sartell High School graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical and Community College to major in business.
Sandy Pestena Mata, a St. Cloud Apollo High School graduate, plans to attend St. Cloud Technical and Community College to work toward her AA degree.
