Castle Rock awards four Rising Star scholarships to local high school seniors

The Town of Castle Rock presented four $1,000 Rising Star scholarships at its April 15 council meeting, recognizing local high school seniors for community service and civic engagement.

Becca Schnorn, identified in the meeting as the youth commission coordinator, introduced the Castle Rock Youth Commission and the scholarship program, noting the commission is open to students in grades 9 through 12 and will have nine members with staggered terms. Jake Coover, a current youth commission representative, described the scholarship as a program to "support the power of recognition for the Castle Rock Youth Commission" and said it is intended to foster civic engagement among local youth.

Recipients announced at the meeting were Maya Ayers (Douglas County High School), Maria Jose Miranda (Colorado Early Colleges), Kehlani Salinas (Colorado Early Colleges), and Wren Rosenberg (Ponderosa High School; absent and represented by Ryan Hollingshed). Each recipient or their presenter described community activities and plans: Ayers will attend Colorado School of Mines and has worked on sustainability projects and a hydroponic system for school lunches; Miranda will attend the University of Colorado Boulder and has volunteered over 100 hours and led local service projects; Kehlani will attend New Mexico State University and has participated in teen court and youth civic programs; Rosenberg will attend Brigham Young University and was represented by his high school principal, who described his leadership involvement.

The council recognized the youth commission and the scholarship recipients during the meeting; no formal council action beyond the ceremonial presentations was required.

Ending: Staff opened the youth commission application period at the meeting and encouraged local high school students to apply for future commission seats and scholarships.