Congratulations to the 2008 Affinity Plus Foundation Scholarship Winners!

Scholarship Winners

• Taylor Schaubschlager; Maplewood, Minnesota

  Taylor plans to attend college to earn a degree in biochemistry. Her long-term goal is to attend medical school to become an oncologist, which will allow her to continue in the fight against cancer. “Everyone has had struggles in life, but instead of waiting to be saved from them, it’s about getting out there and making a difference. I use my inner passion, dedication, and personal strengths to achieve the same goal as Affinity Plus: making a difference in the lives of other people.”

• Laura Valdmanis; Prior Lake, Minnesota

  Laura is currently attending William Smith College where she is working toward a degree in medicine and will eventually study to become a doctor. Laura is passionate about helping people by providing a compassionate and caring environment in their time of need. “Right now my education is the basis to learn and grow to be the best doctor I can be. I look at college as the ‘test’ and life as the final pouring of my knowledge, compassion, and human touch to those who need it most.”

• Marianne Price; Eagan, Minnesota

  As a nontraditional student, Marianne is working toward her degree in ethnic studies at Metropolitan State University. “While I readily admit that achievement of my educational goal provides me tangible benefits, someone could question why my goals make me an outstanding candidate for this scholarship? The response I would offer is while I will gain personally, I will also give back. One, by demonstrating that learning life-long and can be acquired through many different mediums. Two, that while we may gain and lose many material things in a lifetime, education is a non-refundable asset that stands the test of time and man.”

• Nivedita Sarnath; St. Cloud, Minnesota

  Upon graduating high school, Nivedita plans to fulfill her dream of impacting the lives of people and communities by obtaining a degree in environmental engineering. “My goals fit well with Affinity Plus’s goal of service to its members and community. I plan to use my education to achieve my dream of becoming an environmental engineer, but more importantly, I want to be able to give others the opportunity to be successful and give to their communities as I have done and want to continue to do. I hope to use my skills to make a difference in the world.”