By Mandi Enger
A senior secondary education major with an emphasis in mathematics and a minor in sociology at Nevada State College (NSC), and a highly sought-after tutor within the institution’s Student Academic Center, Allysa Starkweather is truly passionate about teaching. In recognition of her high academic achievements and commitment to becoming an educator within Nevada, Starkweather has been awarded the 2013 Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Millennium Scholarship by State Treasurer Kate Marshall and the Board of Trustees of the College Savings Plans of Nevada.
It was an absolutely amazing feeling to receive the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Millennium Scholarship and know that I am one of the top education students in the state, said Starkweather. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and the acknowledgment that this scholarship has awarded me as it will help me complete my final semester at Nevada State College.
The scholarship award was announced during a ceremony held on campus on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in the Marydean Martin Library. During the event, members of the Guinn family, representatives of the State Treasurer’s Office, and NSC President Bart Patterson joined Starkweather and her family in recognition of the award. Starkweather was presented with the scholarship check of $4,500.
Since 2011, the prestigious scholarship has been awarded annually to two students within the Nevada System of Higher Education majoring in education. Recipients must be an eligible Millennium Scholar, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and show dedication to teaching in Nevada.
The scholarship fund was created by the State Treasurer’s Office from donations received in memory of Governor Guinn, founder of the Millennium Scholarship program, after his death in 2010.
Starkweather is the first student from NSC to receive this scholarship.
A 2009 High Honors Diploma graduate of Foothill High School in Henderson, Starkweather initially chose NSC for college to stay close to her mother, Sally Starkweather, an administrative assistant in the School of Education. Originally, I had planned to transfer to a university after completing my core classes, however, I liked the hands-on, small classroom environment at NSC and decided to complete my degree here, shared Allysa Starkweather, who is scheduled to complete her student teaching during the upcoming semester and walk in the May 2014 commencement ceremony.
During her student teaching, Starkweather will have the opportunity to work within a traditional high school classroom as well as in a virtual high school setting. In addition to tutoring NSC students in math courses, ranging from foundational to upper division math, Starkweather has worked on campus as a Nepantla Program: Summer Bridge tutor. Starkweather is also the president of the NSC Putnam Club and teaches piano lessons in her spare time.
Allysa demonstrates an impressive combination of integrity, passion, diligence and goodwill towards others in her role as a math tutor at NSC, stated Jill Weigel, director of the Student Academic Center. As Allysa moves forward into her career as a math educator, her extensive experience working with students at a variety of levels and learning styles, designing lesson plans, and creative instructional methods will serve her students well. The State of Nevada is blessed to have such a dedicated and talented young woman who is at the threshold of a very promising career.
According to Roberta Kaufman, assistant professor in the School of Education, Allysa was invited to become a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the international education honor society on campus and has demonstrated leadership as an active member of that organization. She is a talented young woman who will have many future possibilities to explore in STEM areas.” Kaufman is the Kappa Delta Pi faculty advisory and Starkweather’s academic advisor.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Starkweather looks forward to teaching fulltime in a virtual high school, starting her own tutoring business, and pursuing a master’s degree in statistics.
Starkweather added, my passion is tutoring math. I love the individualized setting and getting to know my tutees and their specific areas of need. With tutoring, I can see the ways that individuals think and tailor my explanations to fit their specific needs.
Learn more about the Nevada State College School of Education by visiting http://archive.nsc.edu/84.asp, or discover additional financial aid opportunities by exploring http://archive.nsc.edu/552.asp.