Five students awarded Rita Girard scholarships

PRESS RELEASE

The Adams County Community Foundation (ACCF) is pleased to announce that five students were awarded the Rita Girard Scholarship. These students are Mia Fullenkamp, Paul Morgan, Riley Thieme, Savannah Zimmerman, and Sawyer Zimmerman.

Many students applied this year for the Rita Girard Music Scholarship and these five were recognized with this notable award.  Mia Fullenkamp, age 16, is the son of Tyler and Ashley Fullenkamp of Decatur.  Mia will attend St. Joseph School this fall (seventh grade).  Her scholarship is to provide financial support for her piano lessons.

Paul Morgan, age 12, is the son of Richard and Annie Morgan of Decatur. Paul will attend Bellmont School this fall (sophomore).  His scholarship is to provide financial support for his voice lessons. Riley Thieme, age 15, is the daughter of Benjamin and Ashley Thieme of rural Decatur.  Riley will attend Bellmont high school this fall (sophomore).  Her scholarship is to provide financial support for her voice lessons. 

Savannah Zimmerman, age 10, is the daughter of Josh and Jessica Zimmerman of rural Decatur.  Savannah will attend St. Joseph School this fall (fifth grade).  Her scholarship is to provide financial support for her piano and voice lessons.  Sawyer Zimmerman. age 10, is the son of Josh and Jessica Zimmerman of rural Decatur.  Sawyer will attend St. Joseph School this fall (fifth grade).  His scholarship is to provide financial support for his piano and accordion lessons.

Rita (Rumschlag) Girard was best known in the local music world as the ‘behind the scenes’ musical accompanist, but her friends at the St. Mary’s Choir did not want her to hold the ‘behind-the-scenes’ title anymore. A new fund was established in her recognition and since 2007 many students have been recognized with this award.

Rita’s parents realized she had a special talent to play the piano when, at age four, she could play melodies. Playing for an audience since she was young and as child number fourteen in a family with fifteen children, Rita was always comfortable as an accompanist. 

Over the course of the 20+ years, Rita estimated giving over 10,000 music lessons. She had been a musical director and accompanists for a wide variety of musical productions and performances. Rita had worked literally with thousands of students. It was Rita’s wish that the future Rita Girard Music Scholars will be used to provide monetary and moral support to students just as Rita received.