Sisters awarded chancellor scholarships at same college
By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
Gwen Hanson, a senior at Elkhorn Area High School, was recently awarded a chancellor scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she will attend college in the fall.
Being awarded a chancellor scholarship is quite the accomplishment considering 10 students are chosen each year out of 400 applications in this current cycle, according to Nicole Ryan, senior regional admission adviser at the university.
But Gwen being selected is even more rare because four years ago, her sister, Carlie, earned the same honor at UW-Platteville.
“When I asked around, no one could remember two siblings who had both been recipients so I’m guessing it’s quite rare,” Ryan said. “Both parents of one of our recent recipients graduated from here. This is really the only case that’s even somewhat similar.”
Ryan said the chancellor scholarship is more than an academic honor.
“We are truly looking for students who have demonstrated leadership and involvement in their schools and communities,” she said.
Up until a few years ago, students selected were notified by mail or phone but then the college began doing notifications in person. Last spring, UW-Platteville went with virtual notifications and did the same thing this year.
“The counselors and the families are really the ones who make it special,” Ryan said.
Present for the celebration for Gwen, which was held at EAHS, were her parents, Todd and Cynthia, sister, Carlie (who drove from Platteville), her grandparents, an aunt and uncle, friends, teachers and school administration, including counselor Brian Schopf. College representatives and several other relatives from out of state were tuned in online via Google Meet.
“I am truly blessed to be able to work with students like Gwen. Her academic achievement is certainly top notch, but she is truly special for many other reasons – in particular her global awareness, strength of purpose, growth mindset and service oriented disposition have shown the unlimited leadership potential she possesses,” Schopf said.
He said being able to work directly with the UW-Platteville chancellor and other campus leadership will continue to grow this capacity for Gwen.
“I know that she will contribute greatly to the climate and culture of the campus. As a UWP alumni, I could not be more proud to share this achievement with Gwen and her family,” Schopf said.
What a surprise
Gwen said on the day of the surprise she was “completely speechless and awestruck. After my sister, Carlie, announced the news to me that I also am now a Chancellor Scholar, I felt an overwhelming sense of pure joy that was noticeable through my tears.”
The scholarship is a highly competitive and prestigious award, Gwen explained, that provides full tuition and fees to incoming freshmen for the next four years of their continued education.
“It will allow me to become involved within the chancellor scholars community, discover leadership opportunities and make connections with multiple people from various backgrounds,” she said.
Throughout her high school career, Gwen has been involved in a number of clubs, including: National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Hope Squad, Key Club, Link Crew and EAHS volleyball. She has also been involved in many community events such as Elkhorn’s Mini Maker Faire, Stir It Up and Tibbets PTA Family Fun Nights.
“My junior year I also helped to organize Cinderella Day within our community, created for teenage girls that could not afford a prom dress, but still had hopes of attending prom. My classmates and I found prom dresses that were still in good condition and gathered them for the girls to pick one out to take home,” Gwen said.
“The activities I have participated in within high school have shaped me into the person I am today, and have helped me branch out to try new things,” she added.
After college, Gwen said she hopes to pursue a career as an industrial hygienist, which focuses primarily on protecting environmental health and safety regulations in communities and different work places.
Receiving the chancellor scholarship in itself is a huge accomplishment, according to Gwen, but having a sister who also received the same award – and having her present the news – made it all the more special.
“My sister has always been my No. 1 role model and is still, to this day, the person I look up to when I need advice. She has always been a driven individual that challenges herself in everything she does and she has taught me to do the same. I am so proud and honored to be awarded the same scholarship,” Gwen said.
She said she’s grateful for the support system she has.
“I have been blessed with encouragement from all of the people in my life, especially my parents and sister. Every day they push me to be the best version of myself, and have always believed in me,” Gwen said.
Supportive family
Carlie is a senior at UW-Platteville who will graduate in the fall. She is majoring in software engineering with a minor in English and an emphasis in industrial engineering. She will stay on an additional semester to add on an engineering management certificate.
“Currently, I am still working with the same company I began my internship with back during the summer of my sophomore year. I will be continuing with them as a full-time software engineer after I graduate in December,” she said.
Carlie clearly remembers when she learned of being awarded a chancellor scholarship.
“I was standing in the kitchen with my family around me as I had opened the letter, and we all found out the news together, it was a very special moment. I remember the amount of joy and gratitude I had felt in that moment and that feeling still has not subsided,” she said.
When her mom called to tell her Gwen had also received the scholarship, Carlie said she literally jumped for joy.
She said with the scholarship only being awarded to 10 students each year, it’s incredible odds to be one of those chosen.
“They say lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice, but to hear that in this case it essentially has … I think we were all absolutely awestruck and proud,” she said.
Carlie said she’s been trying to help Gwen prepare for the next step by talking to her about the community of scholars and what to expect when she gets to Platteville.
“Since we will have one semester in school together, I look forward to being that extra support system for her as she makes the adjustment to college life, however, just seeing how successful she has been thus far, I am confident she will do well,” she said of her sister.
The girls’ parents, Todd and Cynthia, said they have always valued spending time together as a family, and, as their daughters get older, they truly cherish each moment.
Cynthia shared how it felt to learn Gwen had been awarded the scholarship.
“Absolute joy and gratitude! Knowing how competitive this particular scholarship is, we could not be more proud of both of our daughters for applying and receiving the scholarship,” she said.
She said she and Todd were thankful to be able to invite those closest to Gwen for the presentation and have others join online.
“Gwen was brought to tears when she entered the room. Having Carlie there to present Gwen with the chancellor scholarship was a really special moment,” Cynthia said. “We cannot thank Mr. Schopf, the Elkhorn Area High School staff, and UW-Platteville enough.”
Todd said they attribute their daughters’ success to their drive to be the best students they can be.
“As parents we have encouraged our daughters not to take the easy path. For each of them this included enrolling in advanced placement classes, joining clubs and organizations and competing in team sports,” he said, adding that their kids were also encouraged to take middle and high school seriously.
“We talked with our daughters about the importance of communication with their teachers and to show every one of them respect,” Todd said.
And when their daughters would struggle with a subject, he said, they advised them to reach out to the teacher for additional help, not only to better their understanding but to also show that they truly care about their grade in the class.
“I have a silly statement that I have said to my daughters every morning before they leave for school: ‘Be Cool, Stay In School.’ I never took it to heart that they were listening until one day when I forgot to say it. That evening they asked why I had not said it before leaving that morning. I continue to say it every morning to Gwen before she goes to school,” Todd said.
He also said it’s always important to acknowledge the successes their daughters have.
“I am extremely proud of both Gwen and Carlie. Cynthia and I look forward to seeing what their futures hold for them,” he said.
Cynthia and Todd said being involved and supportive is important.
“Start early. Get involved with school activities and the community,” she said, adding that kids should aim to find their passion, communicate with their teachers, and fill out scholarships if planning to continue their education.
“We have always encouraged our daughters that they can be anything they want to be in life. Carlie’s major in computer software engineering and Gwen’s intended major in environmental science are proof that the youth of today have a greater diversity of career choices than those of the past,” Todd said.
Gwen offered the following advice to younger students about believing in themselves.
“Stay true to yourself. Working hard will never set you back and sometimes things you really want aren’t meant to be,” she said.
“Rising above and trying again is always worth it.”
