HVA’s Wildi earns RCF scholarship
Hardin Valley Academy senior Abigail “Abby” Wildi recently was awarded the $2,000 Youth/Young Adult—Fred Brown Interact Award of Merit Scholarship from Rotary Club District 6780.
“I was so excited to learn that I had received the scholarship,” said Wildi, daughter of Rob and Debbie Wildi and sister of Matthew Wildi. “It means so much to be a recipient, especially with the scholarship being given in honor of a Rotarian who had such an impact on his community.
“I hope to be able to use the scholarship to help further my education and ability to serve my community as well.”
Wildi, president of the HVA Interact Club, jumped in with both feet to serve, according to Leah Berry, Interact representative for The Rotary Club of Farragut.
“Our club sponsors the HVA club, and a few of us know Abby,” Tom King, RCF publicity chairman, stated in an RCF newsletter.
King stated last week the scholarship is very prestigious.
According to Rotary’s website, the Youth/Young Adult—Fred Brown Interact Award of Merit was initiated by past District Gov. Fred Brown, the first district chairman for Interact from 1964 to 1968 who organized the first Interact Club in Etowah High School.
According to the website page, “The purpose of the award is to recognize an Interact member of District 6780 who has shown outstanding leadership and participation in Interact activities.”
“The award brings with it $500 for the Interact Club to use on its projects,” King stated. He added there are four such scholarships, normally, but an anonymous Rotarian donated $4,000 specifically to fund two additional awards for 2021.
“I think my involvement with Interact is something that helped me to receive the scholarship since I am active in my club and have really enjoyed being a member for the past few years,” Wildi said. “What I have most gotten out of being in Interact Club is learning how to take initiative to work with those around me to plan meaningful projects that will help meet the needs of my community.”
Wildi said she is interested in pursuing a nursing career in the public health field.
“I am attracted to the nursing field because it allows me to care for and develop relationships with patients while giving me the opportunity to continue learning and to serve my community,” she said. “Right now, I am most likely planning to attend Clemson University in the fall; however, I am making a final decision over the next few days in selecting a college.”
