Letter from scholarship winner Maria Ranieri!

Dear St. Charles Rotary Club,

My name is Maria Ranieri; I met many of you at a meeting where I received one of your scholarships. I would like to thank you for choosing me as one of the recipients. Throughout my high school career I did many service activities. My freshman and sophomore year I went on a mission trip to Roseland Chicago, we tore down houses, re-painted a thrift shop, and had a block party for the neighbors to come to. Junior and senior year I went on a mission trip to Quito Ecuador, and we had Vacation Bible School (VBS) for students who lived in town. Also we poured concrete to make the base of a rock wall, and for a high ropes course. We traveled to the Jungle to help build a platform that would extend to a rock wall, and also did VBS at a school in the Jungle. I started school on August 19th, and so far I love it here at Illinois State University. God has provided me with so many opportunities in life, and I hope I continue to take those opportunities! ISU provides the student body with so many options of clubs to join, ways to give back to the community, etc. One club I am looking into is Best Buddies; it is a club that works with people with special needs. I’m still figuring out my schedule and where I can fit things in so I haven’t gotten all the information on it yet. I hope it is something I can get into though. Also I am joining one of the Christian groups here on campus! I just wanted to let you all know what I was up to, and thank you again for giving me the scholarship!

Maria Ranieri