Delaney is a recipient of the 2022 Character Scholarship. She was nominated by Julie Freburg and endorsed by Morgan Sentelle. Additional information coming soon!
Julie Freburg had this to say of Delaney:
I am recommending Delaney Ham for consideration as a recipient of the McKenna’s Rae of Hope Character Scholarship. I have had the unique opportunity to know her since she entered kindergarten because, at that time, I was the elementary school counselor. I have since changed positions and I am now her counselor at the high school and have her in “my” building. Delaney is an exceptional student. I have observed and experienced firsthand many things that place her above her peers. First, is her outstanding leadership at Holdrege High School. She has been a member of the Student Council all four years and she is currently president. As the Student Council sponsor, I have seen her dedication to the group and how she takes her responsibilities very seriously. She never asks of anyone something she is not willing to do herself. For example, at HHS the Student Council is responsible for all homecoming activities. As president, she led by example. She was extremely busy with her duties as a cheerleader, homecoming queen candidate, and emcee of the community pep rally. We ask our members to stay and clean up the stadium bleachers after the rally. She was one of three students who stayed to clean up. Members are also asked to stay until the homecoming dance is over to help clean up in the gym. Once again, there she is, sweeping the floor, wearing the tiara she received after being crowned homecoming queen!
She is also a kind, humble person. She treats everyone with the utmost respect; classmates, autistic students she mentors in Circle of Friends, faculty and staff, younger students. Prior to the pandemic shutdown, she was a regular volunteer at a local nursing home, assisting residents with activities and games simply because she loved doing it. During the pandemic she also volunteered as a “Shopping Angel” and she delivered groceries to vulnerable community members. She desires to serve others. This desire to help and serve has influenced her college major, social work. She knows she is not entering a lucrative field, but serving others is important to her. Finally, she is a very hard worker. She is involved in many activities at Holdrege High School that demand her time; cheerleading, band, choir, drama, Student Council, Circle of Friends, and show choir to name a few. Additionally, she works part-time, and she has run her own cupcake business since eighth grade. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA as well. Her drive and ambition far outpace her peers. Delaney has made a positive impact at Holdrege High. She is a rarity, the one out of several hundred over the course of my many years in education who has impacted the school in such a positive way. She will contribute to society in much the same way as she has during her high school years. She would be an excellent representative of this award. She is very deserving, please give her your full consideration.
Morgan Sentelle, her endorser, stated:
Delaney is a member of my high school band. In the concert band, she plays clarinet and serves as the clarinet section leader. She also taught herself how to play the alto saxophone, auditioned and made it into the high school jazz band. Delaney is by far the kindest and most unique student I have ever met. You wouldn't expect to see a cheerleader out on the football field marching with a clarinet, but she does...and she does it very well. As a section leader, she takes extra time to make sure every member of her section is heard. She constantly checks in on them even outside of class. Before every marching band performance, she makes them little goodie bags with a motivational quote. Students feel comfortable approaching her because they feel unjudged, accepted, and know they can trust her. I see her interact with the special needs students in the hallways giving them high fives and fist bumps. I hear her asking other students how their weekends were unprompted. I hear her ask other students that seem to be having an off day, if everything is okay.
The thing is, I have never heard Delaney say anything negative. When frustrations do arise, she handles it maturely and takes the appropriate steps to proceed. Not only that, but she treats every single person with kindness. Even the ones who choose to make rude comments about her for being a cheerleader that is also a band kid. I have never even met an adult that is like Delaney. Someone who is extremely talented, humble, kind, sincere, genuine, hard-working individual. There really are not enough words to describe how unique and impactful Delaney is to all of the students in this high school and even to me as her teacher. She is so talented that I would really love for her to study music, but she is being called to go into social work because she wants to work with kids in tough situations. Not everyone is cut out for that, but I truly believe that Delaney is. It has been a blast being her teacher and I can't wait to see what an impact she has on the world because I just know it will be incredible.