2013 Recipients
Mike Langman
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
Major: Undecided
Sports: Member of Dartmouth Football Team
Fondest college memory: “So far, beating Princeton (Nov. 2014) in the final game of my sophomore season. It is always a special game when we play the Tigers because of the age-old rivalry the two schools have, but this was compounded because of Rob’s history at Princeton. Getting to travel to New Jersey last fall and walk the same campus Rob once did was an incredible experience. We defeated Princeton by a score of 41 to 10, which was easily the best team performance I have seen as a member of the Dartmouth team. It was a great way to send our seniors off with a dominating victory, and to celebrate an 8-2 season; our best record in a decade.”
Internships: Industrial Controls Company, Sales (current)
Volunteer: “I volunteered at the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Naperville beginning my freshman year of high school all the way until the end of my senior year. I began going to the pantry once or twice a month as a project in my freshman English class in which the goal was to develop a new skill, hobby, or past time that would help you grow as an individual. I enjoyed the pantry so much I continued to work with Loaves and Fishes three and a half years beyond the end of this project.”
“The Rob Koranda Scholarship Foundation is much more than an organization that provides financial aid to qualified students. It is a family consisting of friends and loved ones that have turned a horrible tragedy into a symbol of hope and triumph. This foundation that was founded in memory of the late Rob Koranda has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined, and I am truly blessed to have had the chance to meet so many of his incredible friends and family. Being awarded this scholarship implies that I carry characteristics that Rob had during his life, which is more of an honor I feel worthy of accepting. Despite that, I try my hardest in the classroom, the weight room, and the football field to always give my maximum effort, which will enable me to grow and succeed in accomplishing my goals while at Dartmouth College. Rob would have done nothing less, and I try to emulate the habits of those I see as leaders in my life. Even though I never had the pleasure of meeting or knowing Rob, what his family, friends, and his legacy represent drive me to reach goals I never thought possible.”
Christa Szalach
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Major: Communications (specializing in Public Relations)
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Major: Masters in Sports Law and Business
Sports: A member of Purdue University’s Soccer Team (Division 1)
Honors/ Leadership: 2014 All -Academic Big 10 recognition, President of the Student Athlete body, VP on the Communications Honor Society Executive Board
Volunteer: Purdue’s Winterization which helps elderly in community prepare their homes for winter reading and mentoring elementary school students.
Fondest college memory: “There’s many! Probably beating Ohio State this past season!
NNHS & Personal Statement: “I think it is very important to remain focused on your goals and always follow your dreams. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in things that are not important to you or do not benefit you in any way, but always striving to achieve your goals is a great way to see success”.
Career: Graduate Assistant in the Athletics Marketing Department for Arizona State University
Moving to Tempe, Arizona in July
“This scholarship meant the world to me. I remember sitting at the end of the year award ceremony my senior year and being so anxious to find out if I was the recipient or not. While the scholarship money is nice, the most important part of it to me was what this award really meant. I was honored that I was chosen for this award because I knew it meant that I resembled similar characteristics to Rob”.