Jessica (left) and Gabby, one of her
Step Up students
As you undoubtedly noticed, Collegewise was inexplicably omitted from the Oscars and Emmys this year. But the pain of those losses was immediately overshadowed by our pride when we recently learned that Collegewise Counselor Jessica Schattgen was named the 2008 National Volunteer of the Year for the Step Up Women’s Network.
Jessica has been volunteering many of her Saturdays to help a group of high school girls from under-resourced high schools with the entire college application process. She runs workshops for them, mentors them, and has even individually assisted all of the students with their college essays. What we’re most proud of, however, is that Jessica never told any of us she was doing this. We’re always reminding our Collegewise students that the best reason to do community service is not to count up how many hours you’ve completed, but to do it because you sincerely want to help. Jessica is certainly leading by example for us, and for her Collegewise students. Congratulations, Jessica!