CRHS' Emma Morgan Named Finalist for Boettcher Scholarship

Emma Morgan has seen the best of what humanity can offer. Through her young eyes, she felt the tremendous love, witnessed the care and sensed the deep dedication of the caregivers who supported her Dad and her family as he was battling cancer.

She was nine-years old when her Dad lost his courageous five-year fight. Yet the past has catapulted the Coal Ridge High School senior into a bright future.

“My dad's doctors and caregivers inspired me when I was little. That impacted me a lot as a kid, growing up and seeing him go through all of that, but I know how much the treatments helped him,” said Emma. “I've always kind of wanted to be that and help and care for patients.”

Emma is a two sport athlete, takes an Advanced Placement class course load, is a leader in Student Council, National Honor Society and Captain’s Council, volunteers at the Calloway-Young Cancer Center and Valley View Hospital, leads fund raising opportunities to fight cancer, holds down a part time job and now she can add yet another accolade to her impressive list.

Emma is one of just 100 finalists for the impressive Boettcher Scholarship.

Each year, the Boettcher Scholarship awards merit scholarships to Colorado’s top high school seniors with the goal to keep Colorado’s brightest minds and most talented young leaders in-state for their postsecondary years. Last year, the Foundation expanded the list of scholarship recipients to 50, up from just 42.

In addition to funding the students’ post-secondary career in Colorado, the award also includes programming and support to ensure that Scholars reach their full leadership and academic potential. Scholars are selected based on academics, service, leadership, and character. The Boettcher Scholar network includes more than 2,700 leaders who have gone on to make their marks in the sectors of business, government, nonprofits, and academia in a myriad of industries.

Emma is familiar with all of this, as her brother Jacob was Coal Ridge High School’s first Boettcher Scholar - a situation she took full advantage of during the 20-25 hours of essay writing, application completing and resume building.

“He's definitely helped a lot. I really look up to him. I’ve been able to see him go through the whole process and I see how hard it is to get there. Making it to this round is a big accomplishment in itself,” she explained.

Her deep family ties and her profound sense of community are what she believe will help her become the next Coal Ridge High School Boettcher Scholar.

“My family is definitely my biggest part of my life. I'm really close with my family and I love to play sports and be with my community and be a part of a team,” said Emma.

Next month, she will participate in a finalist interview in Denver in front of the Boettcher Scholar Board and then anxiously await for the envelope to arrive in the mail detailing the determination.

Regardless of the outcome, she hopes to attend CU Boulder in Pre-Med. She is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the process and for the support of her teachers.

“Even getting this far in the Boettcher Scholar process, it definitely opens a lot of doors for the kids that do have the opportunity to get it. I would just be very honored to have those opportunities and chances to go through the Scholar program,” said Emma. “My teachers have definitely helped me a lot. My teachers and counselors have provided so much support and it means a lot to me.”