Imagine for yourself anything🤔 , everything🤔, whatever 🤔 and achieve it

$356,950

Scholarships awarded since 2018

Achievement Beyond Obstacles

98 Senior Awards • 114 Alumni Awards

Achievement Beyond Obstacles (ABO) is an innovative scholarship program dedicated to students sometimes overlooked by other scholarships. Counselors from every high school in Washoe County—currently more than 20, including charter and private high schools—nominate one or more students for this program. These students have overcome major obstacles in their lives, will be continuing their education, and often do not qualify for other scholarships which are typically based upon grades or school participation.

ABO
Scholarships

2018 through 2024,
we have provided the following:
Total Scholarship Amount: $356,950
98 High School Seniors
114 College Alumni

SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED
Year	Amt Given	Seniors	ABO Alumni
2018	$37,500	---	11
2019	$42,450	12	14
2020	$47,000	16	14
2021	$47,000	15	15
2022	$53,000	11	19
2023	$65,000	23	24
2024	$65,000	21	17

Workshops We Offer to Insure Student Success

Leadership Workshop

Leadership Weekend is a dynamic event led by Dean and Rochelle Whellams, professional leadership trainers who work with students all over the country.

Mentoring Workshop

Learn what it takes to succeed in college and what you should avoid when going to college from continuing ABO students currently in college.

Financial Workshop

The agenda ncludes 3 key topics: 1) planning a budget for yourself after high school, ) the many funding opportunities, and 3) completing college applications.

Communications Workshop

Boost your communication skills, incorporate effective strategies for applications and job interviews, and learn how to speak professionally.

Why Consider an ABO Scholarship?Achievement beyond Obstacles (ABO) is a Rotary-sponsored scholarship program designed to provide help to students who might not otherwise have the resources to compete for scholarships in higher learning opportunities.

Selected by School Counselors

Reno/Sparks NV school counselors select the students to participate in applying for scholarship help with their recommendation to Rotary.
Workshops Designed to Prepare Students for Higher Learning

Students learn how to create a budget, effectively communicate and find more financial assistance as needed.
Dedicated Team

Students have an ABO Liaison to help them on the path to success in obtaining scholarships and preparing a budget

What Students Say About ABO
Our high school seniors who receive a scholarship are invited to apply each following year of their education. We offer scholarships for community college, college and university education as well as vocational and trade school pursuits.

Marta

2021 Sparks High School Graduate

Thank you for everything that...ABO has done for me, helping me fund for my higher education. I will be graduating in May with my Bachelors Degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration and I could not thank you...enough for helping me get here....I will forever show resilience in everything I do! Once again, thank you...so much!

Lauren M.

20xx Student from XXX HS

"I can't believe the day is here, but I am submitting my final ABO Scholarship application! I am wrapping up my fourth year of the PhD, and entering my fifth and final year, hopefully graduating in May 2026."
[ABO supported Lauren for the entirety of her undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering, her masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and her PhD from Yale in Chemical and Environmental Engineering.]

Jairo S.

2024 Student from XXX HS

"Before joining the program, I often questioned whether I truly belonged in academic and leadership spaces. However, ABO provided me with a community that saw my value before I did, and in turn, I learned to believe in myself again. Receiving the ABO scholarship for the 2024–2025 academic year was more than just financial support—it was a source of hope."

Kaleb G.

2024 Student from XXX HS

"Last year’s ABO program, though at the time to me seemed like an extra step in order to receive the scholarship, actually proved to be more beneficial as time went on. Opening up in that program allowed me to express who I am as a person among my peers which I have not done in the past before. It feels like I am no longer wearing a mask, hiding my emotion. I am no longer dragging bottled up emotions. I do not believe I would have the same mindset had it not
been for the program where I was able to express myself."

Alberto P.

20xx Student from XXX HS

"The ABO program has helped me develop resilience and empathy, two traits that I carry with me in every part of my life."

"At first, I was hesitant to open up, but when I finally did, it created connections I didn’t expect. I bonded with fellow ABO members like Audrie, Abby, Jenny, and others, who understood my experiences and offered support. The safe space ABO provided helped me find my voice and gave me the courage to be vulnerable in other areas of my life as well."

Tatiana R.

20xx Student from XXX HS

Being on maternity leave and approaching the new year has really made me self reflect. It’s crazy to think 6 years ago; I was living in a shoebox apartment in downtown Reno. Wondering how I was going to give my daughter a better life than mine, while applying for federal housing.

I now write this from my house in Texas, that I bought with my husband on our own, when I was 24 years old. Thanks to my job that I’ve been employed with for the past 4 years. Where I started as a production assistant with limited knowledge of YouTube and Minecraft.

Now I’m a co-producer that help leads a group of talented showrunners, using not only the knowledge I obtained in college; but also the priceless knowledge of working at my company.

To anyone “stuck” right now, keep pushing and don’t be afraid to voice your ideas, or take a chance and learn something new.

Ivan

20xx Student from XXX HS

“I started working in a lab with a contact I made in the Rotary program (ABO)! I have been able to set my schedule up pretty well, the scholarship money I got from the rotary club helped a really great deal since I was able to cut down on work, now I’m only working 2-3 days a week.”

How it's works

To begin...

Once noiminated by a school counselor, the high school student will meet with their Rotary ABO Liaison

Workshops

ABO provides professionals and ABO alumni to help with these workshops: • Leadership Workshop • Mentoring Workshop • Financial Workshop • Effective Communications Workshop

Scholarship Application

Students will complete a full scholarship application which will be reviewed by the Achievement Beyond Obstacles (ABO) review team.

Rotary Presentations

All students will give a presentation to a Rotary Club after which students will be selected and notified of their scholarship.

Imagine for yourself anything🤔 , everything🤔, whatever 🤔 and achieve it

$356,950

Achievement Beyond Obstacles

ABO Scholarships 2018 through 2024, we have provided the following: Total Scholarship Amount: $356,950 98 High School Seniors 114 College Alumni

Workshops We Offer to Insure Student Success

Leadership Workshop

Mentoring Workshop

Financial Workshop

Communications Workshop

Why Consider an ABO Scholarship?Achievement beyond Obstacles (ABO) is a Rotary-sponsored scholarship program designed to provide help to students who might not otherwise have the resources to compete for scholarships in higher learning opportunities.

Selected by School Counselors

Workshops Designed to Prepare Students for Higher Learning

Dedicated Team

What Students Say About ABO Our high school seniors who receive a scholarship are invited to apply each following year of their education. We offer scholarships for community college, college and university education as well as vocational and trade school pursuits.

Marta

Lauren M.

Jairo S.

Kaleb G.

Alberto P.

Tatiana R.

Ivan

How it's works

To begin...

Workshops

Scholarship Application

Rotary Presentations

ABO
Scholarships

2018 through 2024,
we have provided the following:
Total Scholarship Amount: $356,950
98 High School Seniors
114 College Alumni

What Students Say About ABO
Our high school seniors who receive a scholarship are invited to apply each following year of their education. We offer scholarships for community college, college and university education as well as vocational and trade school pursuits.