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OUR WORK

Each year ABO committee members contact counselors at each high school, including charter and private schools, asking that they nominate students for the ABO Program. Counselors are most familiar with students, their stories and, most importantly, their achievements. The maximum number of students selected for the ABO program is 36. Students sign a contract to attend a leadership program, are eligible to attend a financial workshop, are able to participate in a mentoring program, and present at Rotary luncheons.

The Achievement Beyond Obstacles (ABO) Program, started by Reno South Rotary, and joined by the Rotary Club of Reno, Reno Central Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Sparks. It is an innovative scholarship program dedicated to students usually overlooked by other programs. Counselors from every high school in Washoe County—currently 20, including charter and private high schools—nominate one or more students for this program. These students have overcome major obstacles in their lives and plan to continue their education. However, they usually do not qualify for other scholarships which are typically based upon grades or school participation.

Once nominated, students attend an intensive 18-hour weekend Leadership Academy designed to equip them with new skills to succeed in school and in life. In addition, they can attend a Financial Literacy Workshop, where Rotarians and staff at Truckee Meadows Community College help them complete complicated forms that are often a barrier to their obtaining additional assistance. They also learn about the actual costs of college and trade schools, and are given information about how to plan and budget. Babysitting and translation are also provided for family members who wish to participate.

In addition, the Achievement Beyond Obstacles Program has begun a Mentoring component, which utilizes the Dean’s Future Scholars program at the University of Nevada Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. Activities in this portion of the ABO Program include meeting with successful college students and ABO alumni.

Students who complete the Leadership Weekend are invited to bring 2 guests to a Rotary luncheon in their honor, where they share their story and plans. Each student receives $100. Judges select 10-12 of these students for an additional interview.

Selected students receive from $500 to $3,500 in scholarships. Thanks to our generous donors, we have increased the amount we have awarded over the last several years – from $20,000 in 2016 to more than $50,000 in 2022. This includes more than $25,000 currently being awarded to continuing students. This amount will continue to increase as our students not only stay in school and graduate, but go on to graduate school. Currently several ABO students are attending graduate school and law school.

In addition, students can be assigned a mentor to provide additional assistance.

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