One of the recipients of the our 2021 McKenna's Rae of Hope Foundation Character Scholarship of $1000 is Matthew Weismann of Gibbon, Nebraska . Matthew plans on attending the Concordia University where he will major in Secondary Math Education. Matthew was was nominated by Abby Jones, one of Matthew's teachers and National Honor Society sponsor. Congratulations to Matthew from all of us at McKenna's Rae of Hope Foundation. Thank you for being a Rae of Hope for those around you.
Here is what Abby Jones said about Matthew:
Matthew Weismann is an outstanding candidate for the McKenna’s Rae of Hope Foundation Character Scholarship. The choices he has made throughout high school and his future plans demonstrate how he has and will continue to dedicate his life to helping others. Matthew will attend Concordia University and become a secondary math teacher and coach. He will also play basketball in college.
Throughout high school, Matthew has given back to others. He has spent well over 200 hours volunteering. During the devastating flooding that our community experienced in 2019, Matthew helped community members clean out flooded basements, homes, and yards. Matthew is involved in his Lutheran church and has helped pass out bulletins and line up people for communion. In addition, in 2019, he helped with the construction of a new parsonage. Matthew is well-known for his athletic involvement in our school and consistently gives back to help improve athletic opportunities. He has helped with bleacher painting, athletic fundraisers, bookkeeping, and concession stands. Matthew is always willing to donate his time and talents to help others.
Matthew understands one of his biggest strengths is being a positive influential role model in the lives of younger students. As a future teacher and coach, he will continue to inspire students to succeed academically, athletically, and in life. He has already spent numerous hours volunteering as a youth assistant basketball coach and helping with youth basketball camps. Younger students look up to Matthew as a positive role model, they see his success and he shares how hard he has worked to get where he is. He truly inspires others to become the best version of themselves possible.
Throughout his senior year, Matthew has mentored an autistic special needs student in our school for approximately one hour every day. Matthew helps him improve his basketball game, they complete life-skill building tasks around the school, and he has even helped him start a small water selling business in the school. The goal with this program is for this student to have a positive role model and influence in his life to help him interact more with other students, make connections with others, and develop appropriate social skills to interact with others in the future. Matthew has been an outstanding role model and has advocated for this student. This is a prime example of Matthew’s willingness to ‘Help Other People Every day’.
Matthew truly is a fantastic positive presence in our school. Underclassmen look up to Matthew because of his academic, athletic, and extracurricular success. Through his involvement in athletics, extracurriculars, and volunteer work, he is someone everyone in our school knows and recognizes. He doesn't take this role lightly and works hard to make sure that he leaves a positive lasting impression on others. His volunteer work truly encompasses his character. Mr. Matthew Weismann is an outstanding candidate for the McKenna’s Rae of Hope Foundation Character Scholarship. An investment in his future is a guaranteed investment in not only him but future generations as well.