University of Minnesota, expected 2019; Harding High School (St. Paul), 2015
This year, the Hawkinson Foundation designated two scholarships for outstanding high school students. Zerbine is one of those students.
“Everyone may have the wand to change the world, but life is not a fairytale, so we cannot keep playing pretend and ignore the issues that hurt our society. Therefore, I decided to dedicate my life to standing up for peace and justice through education and be the magical wand that empowers individuals to move society into new realms of thought.”
Zerbine Rypa is a 2015 graduate of Harding High School in St. Paul who spent her early life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She and her family escaped the war in the DRC and came to St. Paul, where she joined the St. Paul Youth Commission during her sophomore year of high school. Through the Youth Commission she has worked to raise awareness about sex trafficking and work toward eliminating racism.
Her devotion to educating the world around her continued during her senior year of high school when she helped organize Project We Are Heard, a student-led movement aimed at eliminating racism.
Her devotion to educating the world around her continued during her senior year of high school when she helped organize Project We Are Heard, a student-led movement aimed at eliminating racism.
Zerbine will attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities this fall. She plans to major in English Literature with a minor in African/Black Studies or Social Justice. She hopes to empower entire communities to move society forward through education.
“Zerbine is a driven, positive student who lifts those up around her and doesn’t let obstacles stand in her way… She is focused on her future and achieving her dream of becoming a professor.” — Patrick Snyder, Senior Coach, College Possible, Harding Senior High School