2013 Shining Stars Scholarship Recipients Named by Tigard Chamber

Ashley Schroeder and Pélé LaFrance named 2013 Tigard Chamber Scholarship RecipientsThe Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is pleased to announce the 2013 recipients of the Shining Stars Scholarship Award, each receiving a $1500 scholarship sponsored by Pride Disposal and the members of the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce:
Ashley Schroeder, Tigard High School
Pélé LaFrance, Southridge High School
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Schroeder and Ms. LaFrance for being named recipients of this highly competitive scholarship.  Applicants were judged based on career plans, extracurricular and/or work activities, scholastic achievement and letters of recommendation. 
Ashley Schroeder is a senior at Tigard High School and is already a leader and entrepreneur in the Tigard community.  Her avid interest in photography led her to open her own photography business, which now works with three modeling agencies and shoots around 50-75 senior portraits a year.  She shares her expertise with her fellow students by serving as the TigardHigh School photography editor.
When not spending time developing her business, Ashley has immersed herself in extracurricular activities.  An active musician, she is a leader in the high school choir and has won numerous awards in both solo and ensemble competitions.  She is passionate about S.T.U.D.D. (Stop Tigard Underage Drinking/Drugs) and is an active member in the organization.  She is also involved with the Young Life club, a faith-based school club, and has traveled twice to Tijuana on mission trips.  This last year she was also a Rose Court Princess finalist, placing in the top 10% of all applicants.
Ashley has been on the Tigard High Honor Roll all four of her high school years and is a member of the National Honor Society.  She maintains a cumulative 3.65 GPA and a weighted 3.78 GPA.  She plans on pursuing an undergraduate degree, majoring in Business/Public Relations with a minor in Missions, and sees her career leading to a Public Relations position at a successful company.  
Pélé LaFrance is a senior at Southridge High School and a budding entrepreneur whose dream is to open a bakery.  She has already acquired the necessary licenses and kitchen space and is currently applying for vendor stalls at local farmers markets and has been accepted as a vendor at the Tigard Area Farmers Market. Her plan is to participate in local farmers markets while she attends college, and open a storefront after receiving her degree.
During her tenure at Southridge High she has enhanced her leadership abilities through involvement in programs like the People to People Ambassador program and the National Student Leadership Conference, both of which offered travel opportunities in and outside the U.S. for increased leadership development.  She is also active in the high school drama program; serving on the Theater Board and collaborating with parents and students alike, and acts as stage manager in school productions.
Péléhas been a member of the National Honors Society for the past two years, maintaining a cumulative 3.57 GPA/3.83 weighted GPA.  She will attend Willamette University this fall with plans for a graduate degree in Business.
The scholarships will be formally presented with other Tigard volunteer and business awards at Tigard’s 2013  Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration, sponsored by Platinum Title Sponsor Washington Federal and held on Friday, April 26th from 5:30-9 p.m. at Embassy Suites – Washington Square, event location host. With a theme of “Wild Wild West”, this western themed dinner event includes dinner, silent auction, dessert dash, awards, and more. Tickets are only $35/person, dress is casual, country western.  So cowboy/cowgirl up and come join us to celebrate Tigard!
For further details about Shining Stars, please contact the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-639-1656 or at info@tigardchamber.org  or go to our webpage at www.tigardchamber.org
 
  
 Ashley Schroeder    Pele LaFrance