Anna Likhatskaya

Scholar of Christine and John Aanderud         

Speech given by Anna at the 2010 Winter Partner Event, held at the Oregon Zoo on March, 13, 2010

Good afternoon everyone,

      My name is Anna Likhatskaya and I have been a Scholar at Marathon Education since it started.

First of all I want to thank everyone at Marathon Education Partners, for everything you have done and helped me- from encouragement and support, to college funds. I want to thank my partners, John and Christine Aanderud for everything they have done to help me with college. I also want to thank Brittany Douglas for her support and encouragement while I was getting ready to graduate early and start college this upcoming fall.

       I really enjoyed the time I spent at the events that were organized by the directors of Marathon. They encouraged me to participate more in the community and to THINK COLLEGE. Looking back I just wish I have participated in more activities, to broaden my understanding of different aspects of all the careers out there.

      Graduating early was an easy decision for me to make. I wanted to start college and learn about things that actually interest me as soon as possible. With support from family and friends, everything went smoothly, and I am graduating this June as a junior in high school. This fall I will be attending Concordia University, here in Portland, Oregon, working towards a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

      For all the younger Scholars here, I want to say, pay attention in school and try with all your effort to get the best grades you possibly can, but don't forget to enjoy yourself while you have so much extra time on your hands. Grades will pay off once you start looking for that one right college, scholarships, and grants. Every grade you earn in high school is taken into consideration. Try your best and you will succeed. With a positive attitude and persistence everything is possible. "Aim for the moon that way, even if you miss you'll still be amongst the stars!" Also don't stress yourself over all the projects and homework you have to do. As my teacher says, "Take one thing at a time, don't stress about everything and you will be successful."

      I want to encourage all of you Scholars to get out into the community and explore. Be active in all the activities that Marathon and your school offer to you. It will help you decide what you want to do in your life. And to all the parents here, I want to say, encourage and support your child because it motives us to do better because we know our parents care about our education and about our future life. 

      I wish you all the best and I want thank everyone once again, thank you for everything.

Ruth Zagorodny

Scholar of Margo and Andrew Fowler

Speech given by Ruth at the 2010 Winter Partner Event, held at the Oregon Zoo on March, 13, 2010

Hello, Good Afternoon.

    My name is Ruth Zagorodny. I am one of the first scholars selected by Marathon Education Partners.  At a young age, Marathon influenced me to think of my future.  Now a junior at Franklin High School I will be graduating this year, a year early. I plan to attend Concordia University this fall and work towards a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I want to help people, as people have helped me. I want to succeed and fulfill my goals.

    Being successful means: coming about, taking place, or turning out to be as was hoped for. For all of the younger Scholars I made up tips at being successful in high school.

    Tip #1- Pay attention. And you will learn a lot.

    Tip #2- Do all your work to the best of your ability and it will pay off.

    Tip #3- Try not to be late or absent. You will miss out on new information.

    Tip #4- Eat a good balanced diet and get plenty of sleep. These are some of the essential to living a long and healthy life.

    Finally Tip #5- Enjoy the years you are in high school, because they go by so fast.

    In my closing, I would like to thank the whole Marathon Community for your help and support. Most of all I would like to thank Andrew and Margo Fowler, my Partners, for encouraging me to succeed and providing me with a scholarship for college. Thank you so much for everything you have done in my life.

    Thank for giving me this opportunity, Marathon!