The Rockwood Foundation had provided three scholarships to MHS students this year. Kelly Dunlap, sophomore, and juniors Mitch Finnegan and Rebecca Shih were awarded scholarships in the Dream Catchers program.
The Rockwood Schools Foundation awarded $28,000 to 44 students in all school levels in the Dream Catchers scholarship.
The foundation raises money and receives contributions to benefit the school district beyond regular tax revenues and is not a part of the district, according to the foundation’s webpage.
The program is designed for students to be able to reach their highest level of academic potential by allowing them to attend camps, conferences, and other studies.
“I sent in an application in January about myself, what I wanted to do and why,” Dunlap said. “I wanted to attend a nuclear energy camp.”
Dunlap was granted money to attend the Missouri S&T nuclear energy camp this summer.
“The camp is going to give me experience with exposing me to [learn more about] nuclear energy and the future of nuclear technology,” Dunlap said. “We’re also going to visit the Callaway Nuclear Plant.”
Dunlap said nuclear engineering is something she may want to pursue later in life, which is one of the reasons why she chose this camp.
“Missouri S&T is one of the few colleges in the country with a nuclear energy program like this,” Dunlap said. “It’s also close and my parents went there.”
Dunlap said she became interested in the topic after studying about it in ALAR/P the previous year.
“It’s so interesting how one atom can make so much energy,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap will work with new, efficient, reliable and clean sources while attending the Nuclear Engineering Camp.
“It’s important to educate yourself on [nuclear energy] because it’ll be key with fossil fuels running out,” Dunlap said.
Shih also was awarded a grant of $2500 from the Rockwood Schools Foundation through the Dream Catchers scholarship.
Shih will attend the Architecture Discovery Program at Washington University this summer. The program could help Shih in making future career and college choices.
“I’m interested in becoming an architect in the future,” Shih said. “[I picked the program] because it’s also kind of artsy,” Shih said.
Through architecture, Shih will be able to combine her mathematic and artistic abilities.
Shih said she’s also excited for the program because of the projects she will get the opportunity to do.
“We get to make our own projects and use the tools [architects] get to use,” Shih said.
Also, Shih will benefit from taking part in the program since it is in Washington University and she is thinking of attending there.
“I’ll get to experience the campus,” Shih said.
Dunlap and Shih both agree that people should apply for the program.
“There’s a good chance you’ll get it if you apply,” Dunlap said.
