A college degree has arguably never been more important nor more expensive. Scholarships provide financial assistance to students who hope and dream of a college education and to provide ease to financial burdens.
Raiana Ratti, eighth-grade student at Achieve Charter Academy, was honored at a drive-thru celebration on June 16. School leaders made an announcement over the intercom to announce that Raiana has been named a 2021 CollegeBound™ Scholarship recipient and presented a giant check for winning the $5,000 college scholarship.
“Raiana is the type of student that inspires you to go into teaching or to keep teaching in the face of discouragement,” said Tracy Murray, middle school dean at Achieve. “She has an insatiable curiosity for learning and asks great questions that encourages further discussion. Raiana also is passionate about knowledge in all her subjects. In the face of this incredibly difficult COVID learning year, she has been consistent in her level of work, her diligence to show up, with her camera on, and made school the best it can be for herself and others. This is why she is so deserving of this scholarship.”
Ratti is one of only four recipients of the annual CollegeBoundTM Scholarship, courtesy of National Heritage Academies (NHA). Students from 89 schools in nine states across the country applied for the scholarship.
Ratti was selected from hundreds of applicants after being reviewed by the CollegeBound™ Scholarship Committee, which takes into account academic performance, community involvement, and a written essay. The essay focuses on one of three topics, including community service, real-world application of Moral Focus virtues, or influences for their decision to pursue a STEM education track.
"It is our pleasure to recognize Raiana as a recipient of the 2021 CollegeBound Scholarship,” said Brian Britton, CEO of National Heritage Academies. “It has been a year filled with change and we couldn’t be more proud of her dedication and hard work in the classroom and beyond. We look forward to seeing the many good things she will go on to accomplish.”
Ratti loves to tap into her creative side in her serving roles. For over a year she has been a member of Artsonia, where she submits her paintings free of cost and a portion of purchases from the interested public is funded for school or charity.
All NHA eighth-grade students were eligible to enter for their chance at the scholarship. The winners were chosen by an independent professional selection group.
“Raiana Ratti is a dedicated and thoughtful student who is always pushing herself to learn and grow,” said Murray. “Raiana does not take herself too seriously and is willing to take chances even if she not sure of what the answer is, which is so important in a student's growth. Raiana cares more about learning than being right. She is trailblazing a future of great success and she is so deserving this recognition.”
About Achieve Charter Academy
Achieve Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Canton, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Visit Achieve Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.