Click here to view our 2022 scholarship page.
The team at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. started the R.F. Wittmeyer Community Service Scholarship to recognize students who serve their communities. This year, we are proud to select Madeleine Lawler as the recipient of the R.F. Wittmeyer Community Service Scholarship!
The R.F. Wittmeyer Community Service Scholarship has become increasingly competitive since its introduction three years ago, and we received hundreds of applications from qualified students across the United States. Selecting a winner was not easy, but Madeleine’s dedication to her academics & community embodies everything we look for in our scholarship winners.
Madeleine grew up in the Chicagoland area and considers herself an outgoing and adventurous student, participating in a variety of extracurriculars in her community such as volunteer leadership, environmentalism, theatre, basketball, working with nonprofits, and helping out with the newspaper. She is currently a freshman enrolled in the University of Southern California’s “World Bachelor in Business” program, where she has the opportunity to study at three different institutions in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Milan, moving each year and receiving a degree from each school. She is an avid hiker, environmentalist, outdoor enthusiast, and views business as a pathway towards creating a more sustainable world. She hopes to enter the environmental business sector and is currently consulting for a non-profit at USC to explore the field. Here is what Madeleine had to say when she found out she was selected as the winner of the 2021 R.F. Wittmeyer Community Service Scholarship:
2020-2021 Scholarship Winner: Madeleine Lawler
Reaction Statement: Thank you for your incredible generosity and scholarship offer. Throughout high school, the diverse community service I was involved in helped shape me into the person I am today.
What started as volunteering a few times a month blossomed into a love for coordinating various leadership networks, organizations, and working to actively understand the diverse sides of my community. Community service has inspired my language studies, personal habits, and my future career path.
As a law firm, thank you for continuing to promote and support community service. In such a digital age, it’s hard to remain connected to local endeavors…but I believe community service is essential to shaping citizens prepared for today’s challenges. This recognition means a lot to me, and I hope it inspires other high schoolers to get involved.
2019-2020 Scholarship Winner: Colby Costa
Reaction Statement: “Thank you so much to everyone involved in the Law Offices Of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. Community Service Scholarship. Throughout my High School career, being involved in community service made such an impact on my life. Growing up in a small town, I seemed to be involved in almost every community event; from coaching Little League and Youth Football, to being a member of my local fire department and organizing a community Veteran fundraiser, I loved making an impact in my community.
Being awarded this scholarship means so much to me. This past fall I was on track to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Knowing that West Point is extremely difficult to get into. I had a full-ride military scholarship as a backup. Since I was set to go to college for little to no expense, community service and helping others was a passion for me. Then, during my senior homecoming football game, I suffered from a traumatic injury to my leg and ankle. It required extensive surgery and left me medically disqualified from the military.
After the injury, I began my search for a new college plan and career. Having been extremely involved in my fire department and loving every moment of it, I began looking into fire science programs. I am now a student at Eastern Kentucky University studying Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation for a Bachelor of Science and an Associates in Paramedicine. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship allowing me to be able to pursue a career where I can continue to help people and serve my community.”
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We are always impressed with the number of submissions discussing how applicants have worked toward helping their neighbors, and we want all applicants to know that we are proud of their accomplishments and honored that they chose to share their stories with us. We look forward to running this scholarship again next year, so stay tuned for more information.