Soroco high school senior Carmen Anarella recently learned that she has been selected to receive the Boettcher Foundation Scholarship.

“The news must have popped during spring break, and so we’re just trying to get caught up,” said Kirk Henwood, superintendent at the South Routt School District. “Obviously we’re super excited for her. We are a small school district that tries to do big important things, and Carmen being named at Boettcher is part of that and it’s just huge and couldn’t go to a better kid — she’s amazing.”

Being selected for the Boettcher Scholarship is the latest in  a long list of accomplishments for Anarella who holds positions as vice president of the Soroco chapter and president of district for Future Farmers of America. She is also president of the Soroco chapter of the National Honor Society, has been in band for eight years and is a member of the community jazz band. She is active on student council, president of the senior class and has played volleyball for the past seven years.

When she is out of class she works for the Town of Oak Creek where she runs the music club on Thursday nights and works as a counselor in the after school program on Fridays and during the summer.

She interns at the South Routt Elementary school in the afternoons as a teacher’s assistant for both music and agricultural teachers, and has helped out the South Routt Education Endowment Fund at the organization’s annual concert fundraiser and by singing the national anthem at community and school events.

“Boettcher Scholars are selected for their academic achievement, outstanding character and service and leadership in their schools and communities,” said Katie Kramer, president and chief executive officer of the Boettcher Foundation wrote. “The Boettcher Scholarship is an investment in our state’s doers and difference makers. It not only recognizes their past achievements but also their future impact on the state of Colorado.  

The Boettcher, which was established in 1952, awards 50 scholarships each year and has established a network of more than 2,800 Boettcher Scholars. The foundation said nearly 2,000 graduating high school seniors apply for the scholarships each year.

The scholarship Anarella has been offered includes $20,000 a year for four years from the Boettcher Foundation. Partner institutions will then use institutional aid up to support up either to the cost of tuition and fees, or the full cost of attendance to attend any Colorado school of their choice.

“The Boettcher Foundation scholarship selection process is competitive and rigorous,” Tiffany Anderson, vice president of grants and programs, wrote in a letter. “Carmen really stood out with her commitment both in and out of the classroom. We are proud to have Carmen representing the Boettcher community, and we look forward to seeing how her future leadership positively impacts the state of Colorado.”