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Fort Calhoun Student awarded $80,000 Marie Curie Scholarship

Monday, April 12, 2021

OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary (CSM) has selected Kaitlin J. Smith of Fort Calhoun, Neb., as a Marie Curie Scholar, starting in the fall. Smith received the surprise scholarship check for $80,000 at her home over Easter weekend. She earns the scholarship after standing out in academic talent and showing outstanding leadership service.

“She possesses a solid combination of natural academic ability, a drive to do as well as possible in a classroom setting and a very personable demeanor,” said Paul Bentley, a secondary physics teacher at Fort Calhoun High School. “She has always been very self-motivated and willing to seek out help as much as was necessary.”

College of Saint Mary’s prestigious Marie Curie Scholars Program, which is funded in part by the National Science Foundation, provides significant financial support and resources to outstanding young women pursuing study in STEM majors, such as biology, chemistry, or math.

Marie Curie Scholars receive up to $20,000 annually for four years in gift aid. In addition to having access to substantial financial resources and facilities, participants also receive free tutoring, have opportunities for undergraduate research, and have access to top programs like the National Institute of Health and NASA research fellowships. Marie Curie Scholars at CSM also often attend and present at national conferences.

Smith earns the scholarship after achieving several honors at Fort Calhoun High School. Some of Smith’s academic and extracurricular accomplishments include:

  • High School Science Fair Champion (2018)
  • National Honor Society Member (2018)
  • All-State First Squad Trap Shooting  (2017 and 2018)
  • Nominated for Academic All-State (2020)
     

At CSM, she plans to major in biology, starting in the fall of 2021. Located in Omaha, in the heart of Aksarben Village, College of Saint Mary uses initiatives like the Marie Curie Scholar Program to provide women from all backgrounds with access to an affordable, excellent college experience, career-driven coursework, and lifelong leadership skills. She is one of five recipients of this year’s Marie Curie Scholarship.