By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of the Yehle Family

Lauren Yehle was recently honored by being one of only 40 high school seniors in the state of Colorado to receive the prestigious Boettcher Scholarship.  Yehle graduated from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) in May and is a busy, happy, grounded and amazing person who is full of exceptional accomplishments.

Boettcher Scholarship winners are awarded a full-ride to any Colorado 4-year institution.  Nearly 1,500 students from around the state apply for the scholarship each year and are encouraged to apply according to certain criteria which is unique to each high school. Class rank determines Boettcher applicants at RCHS, and Yehle ranked second in her class.  Qualifying students filled out an application, and this past December 300 semi-finalists were chosen from the initial pool.  Semi-finalists then submitted three letters of recommendation and from there 100 finalists were chosen.

Yehle, who was initially on the wait list, received a personal phone call on April 20 to let her know that she was a recipient of the scholarship.  “They called the school and my house before I even woke up,” Yehle remarked.  “I got on the phone and started screaming and crying and laughing at the same time.  I think they appreciated that they got to hear me freak out a bit!”

Yehle was chosen to receive this scholarship due not only to her exceptional grades, but also for her tremendous school and community involvement.  Yehle took 14 advanced-placement classes during her time at RCHS, she served on the Yearbook staff, was involved in theater, participated in both Mock Trial and the Debate team, and received numerous honors and distinctions for all of these activities.  Additionally, Yehle volunteers at SkyRidge in the Emergency Department and she works at Starbucks and lifeguards in her Castle Pines Village neighborhood during the summer.

Yehle served on the Principal’s Advisory Committee at RCHS and is extremely complimentary of the school, the teachers and the administration, and credits them for much of her success.  “Mr. Abner (principal) is phenomenal!  I never felt like there was any limit to what I could and couldn’t do at RCHS.  There are so many opportunities and they do such a great job of making them available.  I never felt like I had to be any one thing; I had the ability to be comprehensive in a lot of areas.  There are very talented faculty and sponsors who are willing to help out if you have an interest.  The RCHS mission statement is ‘to explore, to encourage, to excel, to empower” and this embodies what they did for me,” Yehle explained.

Yehle will use her Boettcher Scholarship award to attend the University of Denver and has enrolled in their six-year law program, which will allow her to graduate with her undergraduate and law degree in six years.  Yehle will also serve in the school’s Pioneer Leadership Program.  Congratulations to this exceptional student!