Three Salem High School students received a Walter Hunt Scholarship from the Salem Council of PTAs. Each was chosen based on their academic achievement, character, citizenship, leadership quality, work experience, extra-curricular activities, other honors and awards, and expression of their career plans.
Caroline Peterson, daughter of Amy and Mark Peterson, plans to attend the University of Virginia and study education; specifically to be an elementary teacher with a goal of teaching special education or becoming an administrator. She would also like to study Spanish so that she can be a translator.
She participated in cross country, swimming, the SCA, the Keyettes, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also served as a Capernaum Buddy and Buddy Camp Volunteer. She also worked as a lifeguard at Stonegate Swim Club and received awards for most improved and most dedicated for cross country.
Ellie Look, daughter of Laurel and Mike Look, will pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse after graduation from her choice for higher education. In her words, she feels that she can be a bright spot in the day of children when they are going through what no child should have to endure. In addition, she stated that she enjoys working with children and thinks that pediatric oncology is the perfect field for her. She participated in the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, both indoor track and track, golf, soccer, Girls on the Run, the Salem Half Marathon, and the Color Run.
She served as a student ambassador was a Salem Sabres Soccer Academy Coach, volunteered for Read across America, the Turning Point Shelter, the G.W Carver Elementary Christmas Cheer, and the American Red Cross Blood Drive. She also worked for the Salem Red Sox, Scott and Ellie’s Ice Cream, the Launching Pad Trampoline Park, and as a private babysitter. She was also named a Wendy’s High School Heisman Winner for 2016-17, All Conference, All Region and All State Indoor Track 2016, All Conference Soccer 2014 and 2015, and was on the 2016 Homecoming Court.
Patrick Croke, the son of Kjersten and Matthew Croke plans to study Psychology, Sociology, etc., with the ultimate goal of majoring in Business Management. He wants to manage or start a business related to his interests. He has participated in the National Honor Society, Salem Football and Salem Basketball, the SCA, the Roanoke Student United Way, the Board of Directors for the United Way, the Roanoke Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, and Salem Parks and Recreation.
He received many other awards as well and to name a few, the Straight-A Honor Roll, the Presidential Academic Award, the Presidential Fitness Award, and has completed more than 100 hours of volunteer work. He also worked for Food Lion and Judd’s Big Fun.
Members of the scholarship committee consisted of representatives from each school and they were: Dave Prosser of East Salem Elementary, Shanda Johnson of West Salem Elementary, Kellie Wells of G.W. Carver Elementary, Jeff Sluss of South Salem Elementary, Heather Mitchell of Andrew Lewis Middle School, and Jennifer Hall of Salem High School. Jill Sluss served as the committee chair.
-Submitted by Jill Sluss
