Seniors from all across the district sat on the stage, anxiously waiting for their name to be called. None had been told how much they’d be receiving, or who would be gifting it to them. Nerves were high for the graduating class, as they waited for their hard work to pay off.
“You don’t know if you got multiple, you don’t know if you got one. I wish I knew what I was getting” said Kayleigh Tierney before the event.
Each year Wentzville seniors are encouraged to apply for local scholarships from donors across the county. The event began May 4, 7 p.m. in the North Point auditorium. More than $100,000 in scholarship money was personally awarded over the course of the evening to the hard working seniors.
A key point within the event is the obliviousness of the seniors. College and career counselor Michelle Gerringer made it a point to keep the winnings a surprise, stating she would “not be able to tell seniors which scholarships they would be receiving,” in her congratulatory email.
“I’m a little excited, but it’s a little bit nerve racking,” said Rathi Thiagarajan, “obviously, either way, I’m going to be happy.”
The event lasted two hours, as seniors took turns accepting their awards to deafening cheers from the audience of family and friends. Sponsors each shared brief summaries of their organizations, and personally handed their awards to recipients.
“I got American Auxiliary Post Legion 323 scholarship, and the WSD Foundation SSM scholarship,” said Makaela Barnes. “We’re happy we’re here. Everybody here worked hard.”
“I was very excited accepting these awards, it was an honor, and I’m very grateful to everybody and everything that went on tonight,” Olivia Fehling, winner of the Liberty High School Principal Scholarship and the WSD Foundation Rosa Westermeier Scholarship, said.
The scholarships gifted to each student that evening are sure to aid them in pursuing a bright future, whether that be in a trade school, a technical college, a 2-year college, or a university.
