Two Austin grads among those who received scholarship money from CRC
May 30—Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) has announced the eight recipients of its 2025 scholarship program, including two students from Austin High School, each awarded $1,500 for their post-secondary education costs.
Anita Rao and Marissa Shute were among those chosen this year to receive the awards. The group includes:
—Anita Rao: Rao will attend the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities to study business management and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
—Marissa Shute: Shute plans to attend Western Illinois University to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
—Madelynn Garrett: Garrett is a 2025 graduate of Abilene Christian School in Abilene, Texas and plans to attend Abilene Christian University to pursue a degree in political science.
—Baylee Gashwiler: Gashwiler is a 2025 graduate of Kirksville Senior High School in Kirksville, Missouri, who will attend Truman State University to study business administration with an emphasis in management.
—Taylor Green: Green is a 2025 graduate of Sequatchie County High School in Dunlap, Tennessee, who plans to pursue a degree in elementary education at Tennessee Technological University.
—Tyne Melnick: Melnick is a graduate of Kirksville Senior High School, who will attend the State Technical College of Missouri to study electrical distribution systems. She's planning a career in line work.
—Kaitlyn Nolan: Nolan is a graduate of Sequatchie County High School. Nolan will attend the University of Tennessee — Chattanooga to pursue a nursing degree.
—Ella Seedorf: Seedorf is a graduate of Kirksville Senior High School and plans to attend Benedictine College to study marketing.
"We're pleased to celebrate these eight incredible students," said Brad Fjelsta, CRC's president and CEO. "Each of them has worked hard in the classroom, stayed active in school activities, and found meaningful ways to give back to their communities. We're proud to help support their next chapter with a scholarship as they head off to college this fall. They truly represent the bright future ahead, and we can't wait to see what they do next."
This is the 17th year CRC has offered a scholarship program, awarding nearly $145,000 to 123 graduates. In January 2025, students in the communities in which CRC has offices — Austin, Dunlap, Abilene, and Kirksville — were invited to apply for a 2025 CRC scholarship. The scholarship recipients were selected in May.
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