Rhode Island high school student among 25 National Honor Society scholarship finalists
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Riley Plante is a high school senior at private Catholic school La Salle Academy in Providence.
"A couple of months ago, I applied for the National Honor Society scholarship, and to my surprise, I was selected as one of the 25 national finalists!” said Plante.
The 25 finalists, including Riley, were chosen from more than 16,000 applicants.
“In my 20 years at La Salle, Riley is definitely a standout.” said Director of Admissions at La Salle Academy Brian Ciccone.
Plante's list of accomplishments is rather long.
She founded Helping Hands of EG, a nonprofit that supports families facing illness or loss, raising more than $50,000 to provide direct assistance.
Plante raised more than $43,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, earning second in New England’s Student Visionary of the Year competition.
Her passion for service extends internationally.
Plante fundraises for Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica, which supports abandoned children with disabilities, and sponsors a child with muscular dystrophy, funding her education and therapy.
Plante is also dedicated to helping immigrants, working with African refugees in Spain by teaching them basic Spanish as they begin new lives.
Inspired by this experience, she now volunteers in a bilingual inner-city elementary school, helping students overcome language barriers.
Additionally, she has spent the past five years volunteering as a soccer coach for children, fostering teamwork and confidence in 5-year-olds.
Plante has served as student council president for four years and swim team captain during her junior and senior years.
“She’s a community builder, she gives back.” said Ciccone. “She takes responsibility to make sure no one is left behind.”
“I’m so lucky and so privileged to be able to go to such a great school and to have such a great family. I just want to give back to those in need, and less fortunate than myself," said Plante.
Riley was awarded more than $5,000 from the National Honor Society.
She will now travel to Washington to see if she wins additional college cash, and is in the running to receive up to $25,000.
“It takes a village to coordinate everything, and get to where I need to be, so I’m incredibly grateful," said Plante.
As for college, Riley hasn’t decided yet, but she told NBC 10 she wants to go somewhere that will allow her to continue her service work.
