Abernethy Awarded GPPA Grant

 By Maxine Rosenberg

 

Mackenzie Alice Abernethy, a senior at Cactus Shadows High School and a resident of north Scottsdale, has been selected by the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA) to receive the association’s 2010 Environmental College Grant. The award will be presented by GPPA board  member and selection committee co-chair, Horst Berkner, at the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 17th at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center.

Upon hearing that she had been selected, Mackenzie said, “I’m really grateful. It’s especially exciting as the scholarship was partly based on a concern for the environment.” Grant applicants are required to submit an essay as part of their application. In her essay, Mackenzie discussed renewable power resources and their importance in protecting the environment concluding, “To move in the direction of “being green,” let’s do so completely. Let us search for less wasteful sources of energy in a way that does not do harm to the very thing we are aiming to protect, planet Earth.”

Mackenzie received strong recommendations from her world history/geography teacher and school counselor. The recommendations praised her academic prowess and personal skills. Abernethy's academic achievements and activities include honor roll, school newspaper “Writer of the Month” for five consecutive periods, editor of the school's Literary Magazine, vice president of the DECA Marketing Club, and two years as president of the book club. Mackenzie is a guitar player in the school’s jazz band and has been a cheerleader since seventh grade. In addition, Mackenzie holds a part-time job.

Abernethy has been accepted by the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma Washington. She plans to major in English and pursue her interests in either journalism or music.

Applicants for the award are evaluated on their academic and personal performance and future potential. A special emphasis is placed on activities demonstrating a commitment to desert preservation, wildlife conservation and protecting the quality of life in our community. A 2.5 grade point average or higher is required. GPPA board member Horst Berkner was chairman of the association's award committee. This is the fourth consecutive year that GPPA has made the award.

 

 

 

e-Peak Newsletter, May 2010