Mark Van Wagoner, Teacher, Awarded Boomer Scholarship

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

Boomer Scholarship awarded to Mark Van Wagoner of Highland, Utah.

Boomer Benefits is pleased to announce the 2014 winner of our Boomer Benefits Scholarship. The committee reviewed nearly 50 applications from students across the nation. There were many, many deserving candidates.

Mark Van Wagoner is a full-time teacher at Landmark High in Nebo School District for at-risk students. He teaches a landscape, horticulture, and gardening curriculum to youth to help them develop hands-on skills of sustainability and improve their self-confidence. Mr. Van Wagoner was instrumental in the creation of the Horticulture program at Landmark High.

What is most impressive about Mark is the way in which he has used his life's passion to give back to his community. Mark dedicated his time teaching adults, including seniors, a community education gardening course in which people can discover the satisfaction that comes from working with soil and plants. He judges entries in the Horticulture division of the Salt Lake County and Utah County Fair competitions. As part of a city tree committee, Mark worked with city leaders and residents to organize a beautification program. He also writes a gardening column for his local newspaper. Mark hopes to one day take his knowledge to third world countries where he can teach people how to grow and preserve their own food.

Mark and his wife have dedicated much of their lives to raising their five children; and now, he has the opportunity to further his own education. The Boomer Scholarship will assist Mark in pursuing his bachelor's degree at Utah State University so that he can achieve his dream of teaching at the university level. Mark has a desire to learn and grow in a field in which he already gives so much back to his community.

The scholarship committee at Boomer Benefits thanks all the many applicants for such outstanding entries. It is wonderful to see how many Baby Boomers are returning to school to pursue their degrees.

About Boomer Benefits Scholarship:This award is a $1000 Scholarship for an outstanding college student age 50 or older who has returned to school later in life to further his or her education. Selection criteria included academic performance, letters of recommendation, an essay, and particularly a record of volunteer service that demonstrates a commitment to helping others.

The application period for the 2015 Boomer Benefits Scholarship will commence early next year and will be announced on this website. As our agency grows, we hope to increase the number of scholarships offered to deserving adult students in future years

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