Besaw Earns Racine PTA Scholarship

Stephanie Besaw was among 25 high school seniors, who received scholarships at the annual Racine PTA Council Scholarship and Awards banquet held earlier this month at the Racine Marriott.

Music is an integral part of Stephanie Besaw’s life.  She has played both piano and violin since she was in elementary school at Jefferson Lighthouse and she loves to share her talents with others, whether it’s playing in church or when she visits nursing homes. 

A couple of years ago, a newspaper article became a light-bulb moment for Stephanie.  The article was about music therapy and how it can help people heal.  She was fascinated and researched the topic, then shadowed a music therapist at a hospice. She realized that music therapy was a way she could combine both music and her desire help others into a profession.

Stephanie has dedicated a great deal of time during her years at McKinley and Case helping others.  She has tutored elementary students once a week since she was in ninth grade, taken part in two church work camps, and been a member of the Youth as Resources board. She’s also been in Key Club, Positive Impact, student government, the National Honor Society, and science club. And she doesn’t just play instruments—she’s played both soccer and tennis for Case.  

We wish Stephanie much success as she pursues her dream and studies music therapy at Wartburg College in Iowa and we are proud to award her this year’s Hilda Greenquist memorial PTA Council scholarship.

This was the 53 year the Council has awarded scholarships to deserving high school seniors.  The scholarships, each for $1000, are sponsored by the Council, its member PTAs/PTSAs, or individuals who choose to be part of the Council’s scholarship program.

The Racine PTA Council celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary this year.  The Council is made up of and represents members of 31 PTA/PTSA organizations at Racine Unified School District schools.