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Five recent St. Vrain Valley School District graduates were recognized by Longmont’s American Legion Post 32 for their unique stories, perspectives and desires to enact positive change.
This year, scholarships were given to Willoree Ford and Uma Champe of Longmont High School, Gabriel Kelty and Madison Shackelford of Lyons Middle/Senior High School and Jillian Caraballo of Mead High School. Each student was awarded $2,500 to put toward upcoming college expenses.
Willoree Ford, 18, received the HM3 Christopher “Doc” Anderson Memorial scholarship. For this award, students were asked to submit an essay on how they would use the money to help the world. Ford wrote about her passion for the environment and her drive to improve the lives of others.
“I want to give back,” Ford said. “I don’t want to just help myself with my career. I want to be able to make a difference and make a change in a way that helps, even if it’s small.”
The scholarship winners were invited to visit Post 32 a few weeks ago and share their essays in person. Ford said the group got to watch the Post’s members salute the flag in uniform and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
“To see these people who had fought for our country, and had friends who died for the country, really proud to be there and to be supporting America in the way that they remember it … that was just really special,” Ford said.
Ford participated in Longmont High’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter and played tennis at the school. This fall, Ford will attend Colorado State University to major in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources.
Thanks in part to this scholarship, Ford said she should be able to graduate from college with little to no debt.
“I think that’s what I’m going to be able to do, which is incredible,” Ford said. “I won’t have to carry that with me.”
Uma Champe, 18, received the James B. Clayton Vietnam Memorial scholarship. The award applicatoin asks applicants to write about why the history of the Vietnam War should continue to be taught to future generations.
Champe’s essay was partially inspired by a book about the Vietnam War that she read during her freshman year. Her essay discussed the backlash its soldiers received from the public when they returned home and the government’s denial of the war’s atrocities.
“(The Vietnam War) teaches us that governments can and often do make mistakes, and it’s our job as citizens of a democracy to protest when necessary,” Champe said.
Like Ford, Champe read her essay in person at the American Legion. While initially apprehensive, Champe said she felt like many of the American Legion’s members resonated with her views on the war.
“Many of the people I spoke to actually served in the Vietnam War,” Champe said. “I heard about some of their own experiences, and a lot of them were really appreciative of my empathy and understanding. It was touching.”
At Longmont High, Champe was co-president of the Environmental Club alongside Ford. She also ran cross country and conducted scientific research on the school’s SMART Team.
Champe will attend Williams College in Massachusetts this fall to study economics and political science.
“College is so expensive,” Champe said. “This (award) means that I’ll have more time to focus on school and athletics, and I’m so grateful for that.”
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