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Rockville Scholars: Rae Blanco

Endurance and putting work into achievements are key, scholarship awardee said.

Name: Rae Blanco

Age: 17

School: Richard Montgomery High School, Class of 2011.

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Accomplishment: Received a $1,500 college grant from the Rockville Scholarship Foundation, Inc. for her academic achievements and volunteer work.

Key to success: “Definitely the end result," Blanco said. "Like when I’m studying for a test for [Advanced Placement] finals, [by] just thinking about finishing and feeling good at the end about finishing and completing it, I feel confident that I did a good job on a test. I always keep the end in mind, that’s pretty much what motivates me." 

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Blanco graduated from Richard Montgomery in June and plans to study medical therapy or biophysics when she attends Brigham Young University in the fall. She served as vice president of Richard Montgomery's Habitat for Humanity chapter and made the school honor roll all four years. Outside of school, she has been a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Youth Group volunteer since 2005 and serves as the group's president. Blanco also was an award-winning cross country and indoor track runner.

Advice to others seeking a Rockville Scholarship Foundation grant: “Sometimes in life, I think we overlook the times that we’ve had to have more enduring mindsets," Blanco said, recalling her cross country running experience. "I felt that was something I had really worked hard to do and I feel that’s what the scholarship foundation looks for: students who have put a lot of work in their achievements."

Blanco recalled breaking her personal indoor track record as a high school freshmen.

"I was just so proud of myself for I guess all the work I'd put into trying to break that personal record," she said. "It was kind of like the first time where I saw the long-term results of hard work. I was amazed that I could do that."

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