Marisa Schmeckpeper Named December Youth Rotarian
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSeward High Senior, Marisa Schmeckpeper was recognized as the December Seward Rotary Club’s Youth Rotarian. She is the daughter of Dr. Shannon Hall-Schmeckpeper and Kurt Schmeckpeper of Seward. She was introduced and recognized for her many achievements as a student at SHS and thanked for her hours of volunteer service.
Marisa is first and foremost, a scholar and is a leader in the SHS National Honor Society. She is always on the Honor Roll and enjoyed a host of Advance Placement (AP) and Dual Credit Classes through Concordia University and Southeast Community College. She is a leader as well on the SHS “Award Winning” Quiz Bowl team and recognized for her writing in programs through the GFWC and the Nebraska State Fair-often placing first in the category she enters.
She is a leader in a variety of service clubs at SHS. She is a member of the SHS Leadership team (Student Council) and involved with Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA, Launch Leadership and Hope Squad. Not only is she a member, but always very involved with a variety of leadership roles.
Marisa is a musician and dancer, and part of the SHS Marching Band-serving as the Drum Major, the SHS Wind Ensemble and the SHS Symphonic Band. She has enjoyed 14 years of dance with the Company Ballet and participated in the Dance Summer Collective for one year.
She is also a key SHS Student Ambassador, and hosts both students and adults in a mix of tours and other happenings at SHS.
She represented SHS at the annual GFWC NFWC Sophomore Pilgrimage at the State Capitol and participated in a host of activities at the Nebraska State Fair in the Education Division.
She is a longtime leader on the SHS Speech Team and participated with Informative and Persuasive Speaking, Duet and Drama Team and Poetry events. This year she is focusing on Persuasive, Drama Team and Program of Oral Interprestaion (POI).
Track is the sport of choice for Marisa and she has participated in Track all four years of high school as a Pole Vaulter and lettered in Track as well.
She is a member of the Southwood Lutheran Church and served as a Sunday School Teacher for six years, as well as being part of their Vacation Bible School program for two years.
Marisa enjoys babysitting and tutoring and has been a lifeguard at the Seward Dowding Memorial Pool since 2023 and certified in CPR, First Aid and AED. She also is a skilled swimmer and teaches swimming lessons.
Her community service-“Service Above Self” revolves around her service clubs, her church and her activities at SHS, logging in over 200+ hours of community service!
She plans to attend Drake University and study Kinesiology.
Marisa was presented some Rotary and Seward mementos, a Rotary Club banner and a Rotary Club Book Scholarship. She will again be recognized at the SHS Honors Night in May and is a finalist for the Youth Rotarian of the Year award and scholarship.
The Seward Rotary Club honors one youth Rotarian a Month and applications are available at the Seward High Counselors office. Contact the SHS Counselors with questions