Friends of the Library 2023 Scholarship
06/19/23
Friends of the Library Awards Two $1,500
High School Scholarships
Every spring Friends of the Summit County Libraries awards two $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors who have volunteered at the Summit County Libraries. This year out of over 60 applicants, scholarships were awarded to Sophia Chlipala of Breckenridge and Leif Anderson of Frisco. Both graduated in May from Summit High School.
As well as being members of the National Art Honor Society both students
participated in several other extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities. Sophia, while pursuing excellence in competitive alpine skiing, played high school rugby, volunteered at the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts through Breck Create, and founded her own fundraiser for the Ukraine called Pottery for Peace. Leif belonged to the Science Honor Society and the Math Honor Society along with serving as a kennel assistant at the Farmers Korner Veterinary Hospital and acting for eight years at the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre. He also acted in school productions for four years.Leif volunteered for four years at the Main Library In Frisco helping with both children’s and adult programs. Manager Amy Marias said the success of these programs was heavily reliant on Leif’s help.
Sophia volunteered to assist with the summer reading program at the South Branch Library in Breckenridge for five years, and joined the Teen Advisory Board, planning activities for teens at the library, for three years. She led a crochet workshop for teens at South to lower their stress levels during final exams. Shayne Taylor, young adult specialist at South Branch, praised Sophia for her dedication to the library.
The Friend
s of the Library awards scholarships to two college-bound high school seniors each spring with the stipulation that the teen volunteer at Summit County Library. The application is a general scholarship application through Summit County High School and includes a unique essay requirement. The Friends of the Library Scholarship application requires an essay on how the library can adapt to the 21st century to continue to be viable to teens and the wider community.
Past recipients of the Friends of the Library High School Scholarship were Cassidy Cortright (2017), Tanner Fox (2018), Andrew Reynolds and Calliope Cortright (2019), Chloe Krasowski and Misha Martin-Williams (2020).
With summer reading program having started June 3rd, now is a great time for teens to let their local library know they are available to help. Stop in or call the Main Library in Frisco (970-668-4138), North Branch in Silverthorne (970-668-4280), or South Branch in Breckenridge (970-453-3544).
