Montezuma’s Boulton wins Cooley scholarship

DES MOINES - Although it is a very busy week for Montezuma senior Elise Boulton, convenience always helps.

Boulton, who is already in Des Moines preparing to play in her fourth consecutive state tournament basketball game Wednesday night with the Braves, has been named the 2021 recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award. She will be honored at halftime of the Class 5A title game Friday.

Boulton, who was one of five unanimous picks for All-Conference in the South Iowa Cedar League, was selected from 115 applicants to receive $15,000 over four years to assist her in attending the Iowa college or university of her choice.

Boulton ranks first in her graduating class with a 4.0 grade-point average, is involved with the National Honor Society, student council, Christian youth groups and Spanish Club. Boulton has qualified for state all four years and has three individual school records in cross-country, owns two school records as a four-year starter on the basketball team and has qualified for state two years in track and field.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Boulton, her mother and sister made more than 300 cloth face masks to give away to friends, family and community. This experience rewarded Boulton with the knowledge of the value of coming together and caring for one another, a definition of community service,

Boulton is the 30th recipient of the Cooley Scholarship, named in honor of the longtime Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Executive Secretary.