Anna Pienta is Thoms Family Above and Beyond Winner

The Thoms Family Above & Beyond Scholarship announced Anna Pienta as the grand scholarship winner at a reception for the finalists at Rock Island High School on Tuesday, January 25, before the Board of Education meeting.

Ms. Pienta's project, E-Green-Recycle, was to educate schools, businesses, and community on the importance of properly disposing of their electronics waste (E-waste). Ms. Pienta planned an E-waste disposal day event and collected over 9,000 pounds of E-waste from more than 100 people. Anna researched options, found creative ways to properly dispose of the E-waste and learned about our community’s need for more E-waste recycling opportunities.

In total, four students from Rock Island High School competed for the grand scholarship. The other three participants received $500 scholarship for the execution of their respective projects:

Sarah Diamond created and hosted the Shelly Weiner Memorial Tennis Tournament, earning funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, in honor of a Rocky tennis player.

Jazmin Taylor organized her project, titled College Bound, Career Sound, with a focus on providing adult role models for high school students. The main event was a college and career fair at Rock Island High School.

Travontae Williams built the Green Growers Botanical Garden at Trinity Community Baptist Church to promote plant and wildlife conservation.

The Thoms Family Foundation created the scholarship in 2003 to encourage and reward the leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of Rock Island High School (RIHS) students. Any RIHS student, regardless of race, economic status or academic standing, may submit a proposal the spring of their junior year on an original project of their choosing. Potential topics for proposals could explore business/entrepreneurship, conservation, technology, community service, or politics. For more information on these scholarships and the Thoms Family Foundation please contact Thomas W. Thoms at 309-269-0398.

Pictured: Sarah Diamond, Travontae Williams, Jazmin Taylor & Anna Pienta