Discus Awards

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Filed under: Discus Dan • College Prep • College Admissions

Yesterday we ran part one of our interview with March 2010 Discus Scholarship winner Alexandra Rose Rieger. We asked her about her achievements in arts, academics and community service. With all the things she’s accomplished in her young life, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that she’s a high school senior. So today, you will meet the lighter side of Alexandra. Enjoy part two of our interview with our March 2010 Discus Scholarship winner.

Discus Dan: What is your favorite color?

Alexandra Rose Rieger: My favorite color is rose red, however to be completely honest, I would choose the rainbow. The sky’s no limit to my favorite colors.

DD: What types of music do you like?

ARR: I have a well-rounded appreciation for different types of music. Yes, my own music would mainly be described as ‘singer/songwriter rock’ but I love everything from swing to rock, classical to jazz! In the end however, my favorite music inspires and makes a difference, raising both funds and awareness for important causes!

DD: What are your favorite movies?

ARR: I really enjoy films that are unique, creative and inspirational. Some of my favorites are classics like the 1941 film Sullivan’s Travels, as well as those I love watching with my family and little brother such as “The Miracle Worker” (the Helen Keller story).

DD: What are your favorite books?

ARR: I am an avid reader. I like books that provide insight, referencing history and pearls of wisdom through imagery, allegories and analogies. Some of my favorites are ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte, ‘I Know Why the caged Bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou, ‘Women Who Run With The Wolves’ by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés and Homer’s ‘Odyssey’.

DD: How would you classify your style when it comes to your wardrobe?

ARR: I love to recycle; it’s a brilliant way to “go green”! One of my favorite ways to be green is to wear vintage clothing! Vintage clothing is unique, often more affordable and a great way to express oneself!

DD: Do you have pets?

ARR: At the moment we have two rescue Guinea Pigs that are also therapy pets as well as a wild dove that seems to have sought refuge in the little tree near our home.

DD: Do you have a nickname?

ARR: I normally go by “Alexandra” or “Alexandra Rose” but there are a few who know me as "Arose", short for Alexandra Rose, like Shakespeare's, "A rose by any other name."

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Filed under: Discus Dan • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner

Recently, we caught up with actress, activist, and March 2010 Discus Scholarship winner Alexandra Rose Rieger and asked her a few questions about herself and her achievements. This is part one of a two part interview with Alexandra.

Discus Dan: What has been the biggest thrill for you to this point in your young acting and singing career?

Alexandra Rose Rieger: It has been most amazing for me to use the arts as a medium to help others. I perform in many benefit concerts, inspire through my lyrics and use music to bridge divides. One of my most memorable experiences was in post-war Angola, Africa. I was sitting in the blood-red dust under a gleaming sun, playing music with war-torn youths -- to celebrate the founding of a new school and sustainable water well.

The culmination of this experience motivated me to create a multi-caused series of charity event entitled, ‘A Star In You.’ This event uses arts, academics and altruism as a medium to help youths gain access to a safe platform to share their hopes, dreams and “inner stars”. Through academics and arts mentorship, youths are inspired to become the leaders our future needs and deserves.

Recently ‘A Star in You’ held an event for the chronically ill children at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. During this event, a musically inspired documentary was created which now helps to secure grants and funding for Ronald McDonald Houses. It is an honor for me to share themes of hope healing and harmony through my music.

DD: What community service project are you most involved with?

ARR: I am very much involved with activities as a Youth Ambassador; both as an Honorary U.N. Ambassador and an appointed Youth Ambassador for the Charitable Foundation, 'In a Perfect World' founded by social entrepreneur Manuela Testolini. I work on a multi-cause level as the liaison between larger charitable organizations and the youths around the world who are in need. I work with over 30 different charities and organizations globally. I have been able to not only help people in need, but at the same time, I encourage others to get involved. It is true success to me, when one is able to help someone to such an extent that the individual who has received aid, in turn passes on the torch and begins to help others themselves.

DD: What did winning a Discus Award and scholarship mean to you?

ARR: I am honored to be one among the many inspirational students and scholars to receive the prestigious Discus Award and Scholarship. I strive to be well rounded in my endeavors whether in academics, community service or the arts. I am most appreciative to the Discus Awards for supporting and encouraging me and many other high school students along this path. At the same time, I realized that receiving this award gives me an opportunity to further encourage others on a national and international scale; by providing a platform to share my passion for altruism, activism and academics and the arts. For this I am very grateful.

Check back tomorrow for part two of our interview with March 2010 Discus Scholarship winner Alexandra Rose Rieger.

Filed under: Discus Dan • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner

Scholarship search engines are great scholarship resources, but it often takes time for them to highlight new scholarships as they tend to do this in batches. This is why it can be helpful to bring in the human element, like we have in the upkeep of our Best List of College Scholarships.

Well, so too has Kristin Morris, blogging for ScholarshipPoints.com. The blog covers many topics from scholarship news to profiles of past scholarship winners, but my personal favorite feature is the new scholarships alert. This is a really useful weekly to bi-weekly article highlighting new scholarship opportunities.

I would definitely recommend following this blog. To see what I’m raving about, click here.

Filed under: Discus Dan • Blog of the Day • College Prep • Financial Aid & Scholarships

Evan Higgins is an inspiration to his entire community in New Jersey, and his story has the power to touch the entire country. Last year, Evan was tragically involved in a near-fatal car accident in which he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. He was hospitalized for seven months, forced to relearn everything he’d ever been taught.

Once he was ready and able, he was moved to the Ronald McDonald House next to the hospital. Evan not only worked hard to make strides toward recovery at the Ronald McDonald House, but also he became a symbol of strength to all the children and parents who lived there by encouraging them to stay strong on their own path to recovery.

And even though Evan knew he would have to repeat the 12th grade, he walked with his class during graduation only five months after the accident occurred.

Evan was the captain of his high school’s swim team before the accident, and the discipline and determination he learned through athletics has provided him with a tremendous foundation that has helped him recover faster than he otherwise may have.

Learn more about Evan's achievements here.

Do you know an amazing high school student? Nominate them for a Discus Award today!

Filed under: Discus Dan • All-Around High School Students • Discus Award Winner of the Day