Scholarship News

$2000 Cash for College Awarded to Samantha Lint
Courtesy of
The Rhonda Mortensen Team
Silver Spring's #1 Buyers Agents!

Again, thank you friends & neighbors! Despite a struggling economy Silver Spring remains sought after and 2010 was another good year for our team. Our business is 90% referral thanks to you so we're giving back again!

Last year the Rhonda Mortensen Team started a College Scholarship Program by awarding cash for college to a graduating Silver Spring senior. We learned about some fantastic young adults and were excited to continue the program in 2010! 

This year's impressive winner is Samantha Lint, Woodside Park community resident and recent graduate from Montgomery Blair High School.

Samantha was selected in large part because of an innovative ballet program she started at East Silver Spring (ESS) Elementary school when she was a junior at Blair. With many volunteer experiences to draw on and a passion for dancing, Samantha came up with the idea of organizing an after school dance program at a need-based neighborhood school. Her program goal was to eliminate the financial and transportation barriers to those who needed it and provide interested children with a way to "increase confidence, creativity, movement and self-discipline." On her own, Samantha gained the approval of ESS administration, promoted the program to families, created lesson plans, solicited shoes, tights, leotards and pants from area dance studios and taught the classes. Elementary Movement and Arts ran at ESS for two years and was enjoyed by boys and girls in 2nd and 3rd grades.

"In addition to being a scholar, athlete and dancer, Samantha shows an entrepreneurial flare in her continuous commitment to serving others," said Rhonda Mortensen. "When our team decided to give back to the community through a college scholarship, we were thrilled to also highlight the achievements of our young community members," Rhonda explained.

"Since the scholarship judges selected Samantha, we've learned more about her and continue to be impressed by her social conscience and commitment to helping others. Right now she is attending the University of Richmond and participates in the Bonner Scholars program in which she will volunteer 10 hours per week for four years at a community-service organization. Samantha is an amazing young woman and will have an impact wherever she goes," said Mortensen.

Samantha says she misses her involvement with the Elementary Movement and Arts program and is considering trying to start the program in a needy Richmond school.

[Information on last year's scholarship winner below.]