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On Sunday May 18, Trinity Church recognized 12 seniors from Colorado County High Schools. Larry Feldcamp of Lacey, Washington, has endowed scholarships to 12 Colorado County students each year, in memory of his late wife Elaine Dahse Feldcamp. Elaine Dahse Feldcamp was from the New Bielau area and spent her childhood as a member of Trinity Church in New Bielau.
Elaine graduated from Weimar High School in 1955. This is the sixth year that these scholarships have been awarded. Feldcamp and his sons set up the award for a period of 10 years to Weimar, Columbus and Rice Consolidated High Schools yearly. Each school receives two $10,000 four-year scholarships and two two-year $5,000 College or technical school scholarships. These scholarships are provided in yearly amounts of $2,500. $90,000 per year is paid out to the students of Colorado County to further their educational endeavors Seniors must apply for the scholarship and a selection committee composed of representatives from the three communities to select the winners. Students are selected on a weighted scale based on their high school academic scores, their ability to follow the directions given for the application, overall neatness of the application, quality of the required essay, community service hours and the student’s need for financial assistance to attend college.
Students along with their parents were recognized and presented their awards during the Sunday morning worship service on May 18 and were honored with a reception following the service.
This year’s Scholars were as follows: • CRYSTAL AQUINO from Garwood, Texas, a graduate of Rice Consolidated High School. Crystal plans to attend Wharton County Junior College and major in Business. Crystal envisions herself as the first member of her Mexican American family to graduate from college. She hopes to be able to give back to her parents in the future as they have made many sacrifices for her success.
• LYDIA BENJAMIN from Columbus, a graduate from Columbus High School, serving as the class of 2025 Valedictorian. Lydia plans to pursue a degree from the University of Texas in Economics and Finance. Upon graduating from the University of Texas she plans to attend Law School. Upon completion of law school, she hopes to one day work in the area of tax law. She would like to make an impact on her community in the future.
• ERICA BILLECK from Weimar, Texas, a graduate from Weimar High School. Erica plans on attending Texas State University and is interested in pursuing a degree in public health as her field of study. She is very interested in research opportunities in the field of health. Erica sees herself as a lifelong learner, always seeking to improve and contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of public health.
• KATHARINA CHALOUPKA from Weimar, Texas, a graduate from Weimar High School. She had perfect attendance for her years in Weimar ISD. She has not determined which university she will attend. Katharina recently won the state championship in the pole vault event, where she cleared a height of 12’6”, only to beat her own record at the regionals by six inches. She has received offers from several prestigious universities across the nation and has yet to make a decision.
• HANNAH KUNSCHICK from Columbus, Texas, a graduate from Columbus High School. Hannah plans to attend Blinn College where she has been accepted into the ASCEND Nursing Program. She feels her own struggles with diabetes at a very young age have made her the person she is today. Hannah would eventually like to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Nursing and become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
• LAWSON FLOYD from Garwood, Texas, a graduate of Rice Consolidated High School. Lawson plans to attend Wharton County Junior College to pursue studies in Rangeland Wildlife and Fishery Sciences. He would like to continue his studies at Texas A & M University and become a Game Warden. He has a passion for conserving and protecting our wildlife.
• TAYLOR MORROW from Columbus, Texas, a graduate of Columbus High School. Taylor plans to attend the University of Mary Hardin Baylor to pursue the field of nursing. She is especially interested in working with children and infants who have an illness or face other challenges. Taylor will also have the opportunity to play volleyball while in college.
• DULCE PENALOZA from Weimar, Texas, a graduate of Columbus High School. Dulce will attend Blinn College in Brenham and would like to pursue the field of nursing. Her goal is to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Dulce has established an exceptional work ethic and dedication to responsibilities within her family, community, and home.
• BLAKELEIGH RIPPER from Weimar, Texas, a graduate of Weimar High School. Blakeleigh plans to attend Blinn College in Brenham and plans to study Plant Science. She will continue working at the Boys and Girls Club in Weimar. She plans to continue her Education at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches and work towards a teaching degree.
• JONATHAN SHUPAK from Weimar, Texas, a graduate of Weimar High School. Jonathan plans to attend Texas State Technical College in Rosenberg to study welding. He recently lost his father in an automobile accident and continues to recover from this tragedy.
• AZUCENA TORRES from Garwood, Texas, a graduate from Rice Consolidated High School serving as the class of 2025 Valedictorian. Azucena plans to attend the University of Texas in San Antonio and major in biology. Her ultimate goal is to become a dentist. She would like to provide dental care to families that are in need. She believes everyone deserves to be treated because we never know what others are going through.
• PAUL VALLES from Eagle Lake, Texas, a graduate from Rice Consolidated High School, serving as the class of 2025 Salutatorian. Paul plans to attend the University of Texas in Austin and pursue a degree in Education. He has learned the value of grit, perseverance, ambition and most of all community. His community is a place filled with Hispanic students, who like Paul, are working hard for a brighter future. He would like to be a voice for Hispanic students and advocate for them to help ensure equal opportunities for all.
