Lake Highlands Women's League reveals scholarship recipients

LHWL Scholarship Recipients

Lake Highlands Women’s League members arrived at Lake Highlands High School Tuesday to surprise recipients of their annual college scholarships. When seniors were called out of class and found LHWL committee members waiting, the jig was up – students knew they’d won.

“This scholarship will be so helpful for my parents,” said Madison Wachel, who will enroll at Baylor University next year. “It will relieve some of the stress for them. I feel proud of the work I’ve done in high school, and now I feel like it’s paying off.”

Thalia Harnett will head to the University of North Texas in the fall. She said she can’t wait to tell her father about the award.

“My dad went to UNT also, and this is something we’ll be able to share.”

Harnett, who suffers from dyslexia, admitted she’s a little nervous about college academics.

“I’ve learned a lot of strategies for working around it, and I plan on talking to all my professors to get help from them, but this is something I know I can do.”

Adriana Rodriguez, who’ll go to Rutgers to study journalism and communications, said the scholarship represents a vote of confidence – not just from LHWL, but from the entire community.

“I’m just really thankful to know that I have support from all the way back in Lake Highlands when I am all the way out in New Jersey. It will be comforting to know that I have the whole community’s support.”

Hannah Gray was itching to leave the meeting so she could let her parents know she’d won.

“I can’t wait to call my mom,” said Hannah, a future student at Ouachita Baptist University. “She’ll be just as excited as I am. Women’s League is awesome. This money means I get to go to school and not have the pressure of making ends monthly or putting that pressure back on my parents.”

“It makes me feel proud and appreciative to be chosen,” said Alex Little, who’ll attend the University of Texas. “I’m thankful that these moms in the community care about kids in the neighborhood and our education.”

LHWL members will officially announce the scholarships at a reception May 22 at LHFC. In addition to $90,000 in scholarships, LHWL delivered almost $95,000 to community agencies and schools this week. The funds were proceeds from their annual Holiday in the Highlands home tour, which raised $213,195, an all-time record.

The complete list of recipients is below. Congratulations, students!