Rent-to-own News - APRO awards $30,000 in scholarships

The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations is giving away $30,000 in scholarship awards this year thanks to the generous contribution of association members and the fundraising skills of Larry Carrico and Jamie Slatton who helped raise more than $25,000 last month at APRO's annual legislative conference.

2011 Awards breakdown from $1,000 to $3,000 as follows:

$3,000 Scholarship Winners:
 

Kaylie Scherer, Bloomington, Indiana
Indiana University: Bloomington, Indiana
APRO Sponsor: Rick Scherer, American Rental, Bloomington, Indiana

Both Scherer's grandmother and father have worked for American Rental for twenty years and “rent-to-own has always been a part of my life," she writes in her application.

She graduated high school in the national honor society with an Academic Honors Diploma. She was recently accepted into the Washington Leadership Program where she spent a semester in Washington, D.C. as an intern. During her college years, she travelled to Mexico to help build homes for the homeless. She has also volunteered for Special Olympics, the Community Kitchen, the local food bank, nursing homes and by teaching gardening at the local elementary schools.

Faith Jennings, Nicholasville, KY
University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY
APRO Sponsor: Brent Jennings, RAC, Nicholasville, KY

Jennings' high school credits include captain of the speech team and academic team. She was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and a member of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar. She was salutatorian of her graduating class that led her to the University of Kentucky. She spent her first two years there participating in “UK Fusion” where she and classmates volunteer in community service events in Lexington. She has already donated 60 hours of community service while maintaining a 3.7 GPA earning a spot on the Dean’s List every semester but one.

$2,500 Scholarship Winners:

Jennifer DeBouse, Menatta, GA
Capella University: Online
Aaron's University Training Administrator

DeBouse has worked for Aarons' for the past three years. She manages the Aaron’s University database, schedules training sessions and provides technical support for Aaron’s University issues. She helped create an alliance with Aaron’s and Capella University creating and Alliance Partnership Agreement to help Aarons associates attain a college degree. When she isn’t helping at Aaron’s, she volunteers for Second Chance Career and Development Center, Project Healthy Grandparents and Hope House for Women.

Chad Jasman, Bay City, MI
University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
APRO Sponsor: James Jasman, RAC, Birch Run, MI

Jasman grew up with rent-to-own watching his father work for the rent-to-own industry for nearly 20 years.  He graduated High School with a 4.0 GPA and being named as an academic all state athlete and plays college baseball and was named on the 2010 NJCAA Academic All-American team. When Chad is not fielding baseballs, he is volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the local homeless shelter.

Kiersten Scheele, Zanesville, OH
University of Toledo: Toledo, OH
APRO Sponsor: Jerry Scheele, RAC, Zanesville, OH

Scheele graduated high school with a 4.0 and an Honors Diploma. She volunteered for the local animal shelter and the Salvation Army while working her part-time job. At the University of Toledo, she is a member of the Dean’s list and was recently accepted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society due to her academic excellence. She also spent her freshman and sophomore years volunteering for the American Red Cross and 80 hours of volunteer work for children with disabilities to help her fulfill her goal obtaining a degree in occupational therapy.

$2,000 Scholarship Winners:

Christian Dunlap, Hillsboro, OH
Southern State Community College:  Hillsboro, OH
APRO Sponsor: Nancy Dunlap, Countryside Rentals, Bainbridge, OH

Christian recently graduated high school with a 3.98 GPA as a member of the National Honors Society. Christian spent his high school years as a treasurer for the 4H club, High School Football Captain and the FFA. Christian also took time out as a mentor and tutor fellow classmates. Christian will be attending Southern State Community College to then transfer to Ohio State University.

Tyler Heck, Clinton, NY
Union College: Schenectady, NY
APRO Sponsor: Greg Heck, Great Rentals, Utica, NY

Heck spent his life working at his father’s Great Rentals rent-to-own stores in Utica and Rome, NY. He has seen firsthand the power of rent-to-own to give American consumers “the opportunity to make the unaffordable affordable”. He maintains a 3.95 GPA while starting for the Division III College Baseball team.

$1,500 Scholarship Winners:

Kassie Barroso, Noblesville, IN
Ivy Tech: Anderson, IN
APRO Sponsor: Joseph Stepke, Aaron’s, Indianapolis, IN

Kassie is off to college “as a tribute to her hero” – her dad Joseph Stepke from Aarons. Joseph sacrificed years of hard work to make sure Kassie had the chance for college and she wants to thank her father and mother with a teaching degree. Kassie spent her High School lettering in concert band and on the Rugby team. She participated in the ROTC and many other school activities.

Robert Sonnenfelt, Valmeyer, IL
St. Louis University: St. Louis, MO
APRO Sponsor: Paul Sonnenfelt, Aaron’s, Afton, MO

Sonnenfelt is a sophomore at St. Louis University pursuing a degree in Political Science. He spent his High School years as a member of the Model United Nations, varsity soccer and the National Honor Society. He continues his political involvement at SLU as an active member of the College Republicans and the Student Conduct Board.

$1,000 Scholarship Winners:

Dusty Ray, Bridgeport, IL
Vincennes University: Vincennes, IN
Rent One Regional Manager

Rent One “Regional Manager of the Year”, Dusty Ray, is completing his marketing degree at Vincennes University. Dusty was also Rent One’s “Employee of the Year”. Dusty is an active member of the local chamber of commerce volunteering time and efforts for the many community events both as a Rent One employee and as a citizen.
 

Christopher Willman-Bunge, Akron, OH
Penn State: Mont Alto, PA
APRO Sponsor: Martha Willman, Blue Ribbon Rentals, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Willman-Bunge grew up in a one-parent household and knows financial hardship. While in high school, he participated in the orchestra and choir. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with a specialty World Conservation Award. He plans to pursue English as a writer/reporter.

Michael Elkik, Kennesaw, GA
University of Georgia: Athens, GA
APRO Sponsor: Ann Elkik, Aaron’s, Kennesaw, GA

Elkik graduated high school with a weighted 4.1 GPA and an un-weighted 3.8 GPA. During high school, he worked with “Shop with a Mustang” sponsoring an underprivileged child. Michael was president of DECA, the school’s business club, and won business competitions at the local, state and international levels.

Smith completed her junior year at North Carolina State University. Her family grew up struggling through economic hard times but always kept a focus on education. She was awarded a fellowship from the Organizational Science Summer Institute and studied abroad in Mexico. She has volunteered for Salvation Army. Tutors middle school children as a part of work-study program and volunteers for the “Strengthening the Black Family” non-profit helping with diabetes prevention and promoting health and wellness.

Jordan Miller, Bedford, VA
Virginia Tech: Blacksburg, VA
APRO Sponsor: John Miller, Premier Rentals, Roanoke, VA

Miller graduated high school with a 3.9 GPA earning him admission to Virginia Tech. He is actively involved in his church donating time and labor to the elderly and poor and now serves on his church’s Parish Council.
 

Cole Weir, Chubbuck, ID
Brigham Young University: Provo, UT
APRO Sponsor: Mike Weir, TUR, Inc. dba Aaron’s, Chubbuck, ID

Weir just graduated high school with a 3.78 GPA. He demonstrated his leadership skills through his school’s wrestling and football team. He spent most of his energy on the wrestling team working up to team captain while excelling in his studies.
 

For more information on APRO's Scholarship Foundation or do donate, go here.

Register for APRO's 2011 Convention here.