Reno South Rotary started the Achievement Beyond Obstacles (ABO) Program (formerly Most Improved Student) in 1996 to recognize students whose pathway to high school graduation was much more difficult than it was for most of us. These students had, or were in the process, of overcoming issues such as significant health problems, abuse, dysfunctional families, homelessness, even brushes with the law – all the while attempting to continue their coursework on the road to graduation. Usually scholarships are awarded based on academic prowess. The noteworthy success of these students has been their ability to overcome obstacles life placed in their way. Our desire was to reach out to these particular students with an encouraging word and some financial assistance. We wanted to do what we could to encourage these ABO Students to continue their education.

In an effort to expand this program further, Reno South Rotary invited Rotary Club of Reno (downtown), Rotary Club of Sparks, and Reno Central Rotary Club to join. The addition of these three Rotary clubs has enabled the Achievement Beyond Obstacles Program to increase the amount of scholarships and resources to these very deserving young men and women.

In 2013 we added a mandatory 2-day Leadership Academy weekend. The goal of this weekend is to instill confidence, develop the necessary social and personal skills, and nurture each student’s leadership capabilities so that they are ready to leave the past behind and prepared to take on the future. We engage the Deans Future Scholars at the University Nevada, Reno to help us reach our students in more impactful ways, from personal issues to simply getting around a large University campus.

We recognize approximately 30 students annually from all Washoe County High Schools, including several local private and Charter Schools. In 2022 all participating high school seniors received $100, and we awarded $50,000 in college scholarships to 11 high school seniors and 19 ABO students continuing their college careers. Four of the continuing students are pursuing advanced degrees including doctorates, masters and law degrees. Since 1996 our ABO Scholarship Program has recognized more than 325 students and has awarded over $300,000 to more than 150 individual students.