The following thank you letters were received from Meredith Long and Eva Long.  Meredith and Eva are twin sisters and both attended RYLA in 2017.
 
"I feel so honored to have received the Rotary Club of Ankeny Scholarship.  I am so grateful for everything the Ankeny Club has provided for me within the past year.  I was lucky enough to be awarded with a Rotary Scholarship to attend RYLA.  It had been such as impactful week of my life, and I never shy away from the chance to tell someone about how great of an experience it was for me! 
 
After RYLA, I realized that I love to be around people and I love learning new things from all kinds of people.  Although I do not know what I am going to major in yet, I know that wherever I end up, interacting with many different people will be a big part of my career.  I am very excited for my future at the University of Iowa and for all of the great experiences that I will have in college.  I do not have specific goals for what I want to accomplish yet, but I am ready to learn more about myself as I discover my path next year.  I am very thankful to have had such a great education and support system leading up to this point.  Without the bonds with teachers and friends that I have made at Ankeny Centennial High School, I would not be the person I am today.
 
By awarding me this scholarship, you have reduced my financial burden which allows me to focus more on how I will perform academically and not so much on how much money is being spent.   Thank you again for your generous contribution to the betterment for my education, I fell I am now 1 step closer to discovering my passion in life.  Sincerely, Meredith Long"
 
"I am honored to have received the Rotary Club of Ankeny Scholarship.  Thank you for your generous support of my education and future adventures.  I am presently unsure of what I am going to study, but during my time at the University of Iowa , I will be open to ideas and paths that I have never thought about before.  At Iowa I will be able to try new things and find my passion with the help of this scholarship.
 
I have previously received a Rotary scholarship giving me that opportunity to attend RYLA, where I was able to meet friends who live in Iowa City.  I know I can always go to these people for help or a familiar face.  With the money that the Ankeny Rotary Club is awarding me, I will use for my college expenses.  There is a great amount of stress on most college students who are unable to easily pay for their college, but with the help of organizations like the Rotary Club, those students can get a helping hand.  I can definitely say that the Rotary Club has changed my life for the better, giving me an experience like RYLA, as well as awarding me with a scholarship which puts me at more ease with my college expenses.
 
Thank you Rotarians for being truthful, fair, spreaders of goodwill, and being beneficial people who add positively and leadership to the community.  I accept this $500 scholarship with pride knowing that the Rotary Club of Ankeny has provided it for me.  In appreciation, Eva Long"
 
 
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