MENOMONIE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
School District of the Menomonie Area
1715 5th Street West • Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751 • TEL (715) 232-2606 • FAX (715) 232-2629
School District Web Page • http://msd.k12.wi.us
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Kayla Windt (A-F) Paula Haugle (G-L) Angela Ruchti (M-Se) Kurt Mueller (Sh-Z)
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January 27, 2022

Dear Scholarship Selection Committee:

I have known Samantha since the fall of 2020, when I started working at Menomonie High School. I have been
a school counselor for 15 years now, and I have never met a young person who has gone through as much as
Samantha has, and can still smile and look forward to her future. Samantha's parents went through a difficult
divorce when she was in 8th grade. Not long after, her mom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Her
mom beat cancer during Samantha's sophomore year, but then it came back during her junior year. After a
fierce battle, Samantha's mom passed away in April of Samantha's junior year (2021).

Since the divorce, and even through her mother's illness, Samantha's father was not an active part of her life; her
mom was her rock. The day of her mom’s passing, her father went to the child support office to cease
payments. Samantha’s father has not contacted Samantha since last spring around the time of the funeral. He
does not provide financial support in any way, let alone emotional support. Samantha is living on her own,
paying rent, and working part time as a CNA while going to school full time. She lives off of social security
income from her mom’s passing, as well as income she herself earns by working. Samantha has independent
status with our high school and is deemed homeless through our school district.

In my time working with her, I have seen a young lady who has had to grow up very fast. She didn't have her
mom there to take pictures for Prom or Homecoming. She has become a leader in the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, and continues to play in the Orchestra and compete in Soccer. Samantha’s favorite flower is a
sunflower, and that is what I think of when I see her. She lights up a room and perseveres even though she has
faced more than many adults have.

My hope for Samantha is to join a campus community that can support her in following her dreams, and the gift
of your scholarship will get her one step closer to that dream. I am confident she will go far in life, she just
needs extra resources to help her along. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Paula Haugle, School Counselor

“The School District of the Menomonie Area, by embracing the unique needs and using the strengths of our diverse community, is
dedicated to preparing ALL people to be life-long learners, caring individuals and responsible citizens.”