Ever wonder how 179 students received scholarships from the Merrick Foundation this year? In this episode of Making an Impact Together, Shauna sits down with Rachel Brandquist to pull back the curtain on the entire scholarship process—from the first application clicks in December to the powerful, emotional moments at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony in April.

You'll hear how the Foundation matches students to opportunities, what makes an essay stand out, and how a team of 30+ volunteer reviewers helps keep it all running smoothly. Plus, Rachel shares insider tips for students applying, how the selection process stays fair, and what role donors do (and don’t) play in the final decisions.

Whether you're a student, donor, parent, or just curious about how community scholarships work—this one’s packed with insight, inspiration, and impact.