Alumni News

Read testimonials from our past winners, as they discuss how winning the scholarship
has changed their lives.

Today, Noah is working for PNC Bank as a mortgage specialist. Recently he has been training and mentoring other newer employees in customer service. He is so happy to be working for PNC. We think of you every year as graduation time comes. We think of your daughter and how proud she would be to know that your foundation helps students further their education. We appreciated what this scholarship did for Noah. Thank you for continuing to do this, keeping Rachel's memory alive, to help other students further their education.

Noah Kastroll's Parents

2014 Rachel Librecht Memorial Scholarship


Hi All!

I wanted to update you all on my progress so far at community college! After my first semester I became a part of my schools honor college! I got a 3.0 gpa while working two jobs and dealing with the pandemic!! Switching to online classes was a crazy experience but because I had taken some online classes at Seneca I definitely felt more than prepared. Being apart of CCAC honors college I opted to do a large project and work with a professor in one of my classes for honors credit. I chose my preschool development class and I studied the developmental behaviors of preschool aged children and disciplinary in their classroom. This was an awesome project for me and my professor told me it was better than many other presentations she had seen! I joined a national organization called the Campus Vote Project to help advocate for student voters, i was the first CCAC student to be awarded this fellowship! I am continuing to work with them and many professors and staff at CCAC to advocate for fellow peers of mine on and off campus! A press release was posted about this work alive and on the front page of CCAC! I got interviewed by someone from the Washington post about student voting! I also voted for the very first time this year! This semester begins January 19th, this month I will be getting surgery done but praying and hoping for a speedy recovery as I plan to do just as well this semester as I have previously and continue to work with my school possibly becoming a senator in our student government.

Thank you again for your support and believing in me. With out you all and Rachel I wouldn’t be where I am today!

With much love,
Madysen Kelly
2019 Rachel Librecht Memorial Scholarship


"I received the Rachel Librecht Scholarship my senior year of high school, in 2010. I feel very blessed to have received this scholarship; it helped me buy my books for my first year of college as an English education major. Receiving this scholarship meant a lot to me, not only because it was a wonderful scholarship in memory of a teacher who is remembered fondly throughout the district, but also it started me out on the path to reach my dream---becoming a secondary English education teacher. This scholarship allowed me to grow and succeed as a person in my first year of college. I am proud to say that I am now a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Indiana University of Pennsylvania's National Honor Society chapter and I made Dean's list both semesters of my freshman year of college. As I continue to pursue my dreams, I hold being awarded this scholarship very close to my heart as I continue my journey as an English major at I UP, and I can only hope to one day impact as many lives as Rachel did. I'm extremely grateful and proud about being awarded this scholarship and can guarantee that it only drives me to try my absolute best here at school to make both Rachel and the Librecht family proud!"

-Melissa Askey, Seneca Valley Senior High School 2010 Award Recipient


"As the first recipient of the Rachel Librecht Memorial Scholarship I had the honor and privilege to know Rachel personally. She was such a dynamic individual who was always willing to support students whenever they needed. Rachel understood the needs of students and also had the ability to apply these needs in a way that students could grasp.

I believe that Rachel really excelled in three areas as a teacher: in service, leadership ability, and personal commitment to students. Serving the needs of students is where an educator's heart should be -- and Rachel had this passion. She was willing to meet students where they were at academically and help propel them toward success. She had a keen eye for spotting trouble areas and giving clear guidance as to how they might improve. Rachel would offer students, including myself, advice for colligate preparation and also life skills. She was a leader who everyone felt comfortable speaking with and trusted. Finally, Rachel was willing to listen to students; something that is rarely found in public education. She encouraged input and criticism from students toward her teaching style so she could improve her effectiveness.

Simply put, winning this scholarship helped me to have more confidence in myself. It also helped my family financially by providing a financial resource. When I was chosen for the award, I realized that my dream of going to college and receiving an excellent education was completely attainable. In the moment I accepted the scholarship, I could feel the presence of Rachel in the room. This scholarship was pivotal in my life before college and in many ways, still is. Rachel gave so much insight that was invaluable and I still call upon this wisdom today.

Rachel had a high standard in education and also in life. She was not one to ever compromise integrity. This aspect of Rachel's teaching and lifestyle really had a substantial effect on me. It increased my desire to put forth all the effort and skill that I could in every project. This has carried through my undergraduate education, my master's education, and my life today. I believe that this scholarship can give the correct individual the extra bit of courage or confidence to simply try when he or she otherwise might not. I believe that Rachel would agree with this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, "You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give." Rachel really embodied this quote in her life and teaching. Her spirit still continues at Seneca Valley every time another student receives this memorial scholarship.

-Phillip Voland
2003 Rachel Librecht Memorial Scholarship winner

Phillip graduated in 2007 from Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Business Administration with the help of the Rachel Librecht Memorial Scholarship. After Thiel College, he attended Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. He graduated in 2010, receiving his Master of Arts in Christian Ministries with a Cross Cultural Emphasis. Phillip resides with his wife Stephanie and daughter Gabrielle in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois where they are preparing to serve as pastors in the local church.