FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn.–The SPIRE Scholarship Committee recently awarded scholarships to two Minnesota students. Katelyn France from Hinckley-Finlayson High School and Mason Stoltz from Eden Prairie High School will each receive a $500 scholarship.
In addition to completing an application form, applicants submitted a 500-1,000 word essay.
Katelyn France plans to attend University of Minnesota-Duluth this fall. Katelyn has been a Salutatorian and Valedictorian since 2012, and was a 2017Albert Cup winner-a prestigious AP Psychology award. Katelyn’s application outlined a commitment to community through volunteering with organizations such as Feed My Starving Children, Elderwood Assisted Living and Hinckley Elementary School. In school, she has been a member of the National Honor Society, yearbook staff, speech and science club, cheerleading, robotics and knowledge bowl teams. Noteworthy activities and achievements, along with the completion of a well-written essay, were factors in the winner selection process.
In Katelyn’s essay answering the question, What is a healthy financial habit? How can SPIRE help you obtain healthy habits? She noted that, “At 15, I came in and met with one of SPIRE’s financial advisors, who helped me prepare for my incoming junior year. I am far from a traditional student, as I spent the second semester of school competing in international science competitions. Knowing that I would need money available if I advanced to Los Angeles, I set up a savings account and learned how to direct deposit my paycheck into the account. This option would prove beneficial to me, as it helped me learn self-control.”
At right, from left:Stacy Hancock, SPIRE Pine City Branch Manager,presenting the SPIRE $500 Scholarship Award to Katelyn France.