Connie Schlabach Memorial Scholarship

Connie Schlabach was a dedicated employee of the Pleasant Valley Community School District for 15 years until she passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on September 7, 2018.

Connie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was one of 16 children and growing up her family struggled with poverty. She learned hard work at a very young age and school was not easy for her. She spent several years as a foster parent, fostering (and adopting) at-risk teens. She was an extremely hard worker who was always there to help family, friends, and co-workers. She had a special place in her heart for students who had the same challenges she faced as a teen. She became a mom, grandmother, friend and a listening ear to many students while she was at PV. You would always see her walking down the hallways with a group of students following close behind her, vying for her attention. She told them what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear, but most of all, she listened to them without judgement. At her funeral, students expressed their gratitude towards Connie with several indicating they would not have graduated without her attention and guidance. One student told her family, “She changed my life.”

Connie did not mince words, nor did she lower her expectations, but she did have a great sense of when a kid needed a break. That is the student this scholarship goes to – a student who knows how to work hard, who is good to others, who has a good plan for their future… and who needs a break.

Criteria to Apply:

No minimum GPA required
Demonstrates a need for financial assistance
Plans to pursue a certificate program at a vocational school, trade school or pursue a 2-year degree at a community college
Overcame an obstacle that made high school challenging

Scholarship Personal Statement/Essay:

In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us why you've chosen your field of study.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us what your plans are after your post-secondary education is complete.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us about one of the following: your ability to problem solve, work with others, and/or your dedication to the community.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us how you've overcome an obstacle.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us anything else about yourself you think the selection committee would like to know.