Childers finalist for Iowa’s Uncommon Student Award

Fifteen high school seniors from across Iowa will each earn a $1,500 cash award for their work on a special project this summer. On Saturday, Oct. 26, they'll present their work before a panel of judges and three will earn an additional $10,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice. Jaci Childers of Mt. Union is among the finalists.

The students applied for the program in their junior year by submitting a proposal for a project showing entrepreneurship, community or humanitarian service, conservation, or special use of technology. The 15 finalists then spend the summer working their projects and recording results. They are scored entirely on the merits of their work. Grades, test scores and financial need are not evaluated.

‘Women's Career and Leadership Conference' is the title of Childers' project. 'My project includes a series of conferences for women who want to take a professional leap and pursue a career,” Childers said. 'I hope to promote confidence and leadership skills, and raise employment among these women.”

'We have a great group of students who have come up with some amazing projects,” said Delene McConnaha, academic programs manager for the Foundation. 'I'm really excited to see the impact they'll have on their home communities.”