VCNB Announces Winner Of 2024-25 Acorn Scholarship
Vinton County National Bank is pleased to announce that Sara Kallenberg of Lancaster High School is the recipient of our 2024-25 Acorn Scholarship. The Lancaster resident will receive a $5,000 scholarship which can be used for anything she might need for her continuing education.
Kallenberg impressed the judges with some extraordinary extracurricular activities including a massive project she completed to create an all-abilities sensory trail at Lancaster’s Alley Park. That trail is valued at almost $90,000 and gives youngsters equal access to outdoor fun.
She said her experience as a Girl Scout Camp attendee inspired her to spearhead this project. “Throughout my years attending Girl Scout camp there, I noticed how all of the paths were rocky, and were hard to navigate. Students using wheelchairs, crutches, or walkers were forced to sit inside while the other students were outside learning about nature. This broke my heart and is what pushed me to create my project. Through many community donations, I was able to have the path paved so that it is handicap accessible. I created interactive learning stations along the path that correlated to the lessons that the park staff teach while on nature hikes. Knowing that I played a role in accessible nature exploration means so much to me, and I am eternally grateful for everything I’ve learned. I want to lead by example by creating a more welcoming, educational, and accessible community for all.”
As a K-12 member of Girl Scouts, Kallenberg is one of less than five percent of Girl Scouts to win the Girl Scout Trifecta Award after earning a Bronze Award for helping start a recycling program in elementary schools; a Silver Award for setting up four Blessing Boxes in Lancaster; and a Gold Award for the Alley Park project.
She also was the Kiwanis Key Club Vice President, Rotary Interact Club Vice President, National Honor Society Chapter President, her Girl Scout Troop Secretary and Chairperson for the Senior Class Officers. She plans to attend Ohio University to major in Communications and to continue using her leadership skills to serve her community.
Sara reminded us that from a tiny acorn, a mighty oak will grow. We wish her all the best and are excited to see the impact she will have on her community in the future!
VCNB introduced this scholarship for any 2025 graduating high school senior who lives, attends school, or is homeschooled in one of the bank’s home counties. Applicants could be pursuing any type of education including college, technical school or a certificate program. A blind panel of judges reviewed applications from nearly 400 individuals. Application guidelines for the 2025-26 Acorn Scholarship will be announced on the bank’s Facebook page in early fall.