Newton's Rhoads is recipient of 2019 IGHSAU's E. Wayne Cooley Award

“I love to learn. I like to grow and challenge myself,” Newton High senior Rachel Rhoads said.

Rhoads has been named the 2019 recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award. She was selected from 92 applicants from high schools across Iowa and was one of six finalists for the award.

Rhoads will be honored at halftime of the Class 3A State Basketball Championship Game on Friday. The game tips off at 8 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

The E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship, named in honor of the longtime Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Executive Secretary, is worth $15,000 over four years to assist the recipient as she attends the Iowa college or university of her choice.

Upon receiving her congratulations letter as recipient of the 2019 E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award, Rhoads said she was humbled with the honor. She is the 28th recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship.

“I was overwhelmed with emotions. I had looked into who E. Wayne Cooley was, and I am honored to be recognized with the award and scholarship representing a prestigious leader and man. He impacted the lives of so many girl athletes and his work has given me so many opportunities,” Rhoads said.

The other finalists were: Jamie Kofron, Tipton; Annika Patton, Alta-Aurelia; Liana Sweezer, Winfield-Mt. Union; Mackenzie O'Neil, Williamsburg; and Emma Lowden, Winterset. All five receive $1,000 scholarships.

In 1954, Cooley accepted the assignment as Executive Secretary of the IGHSAU, which had only one inter-scholastic activity at the time, basketball. In the following 48 years, under Cooley's leadership, the organization expanded to nine sports. Cooley passed away in May of 2013.

“Wow, what did I do to deserve this is what first came to mind when I found out,” Rhoads said. “I always seize the opportunities the Lord gives me. I give it all to Jesus. I don’t care if I leave a legacy as long as I’m doing what he called me to do — I’m fulfilling my purpose.”

Rhoads ranks first in her class at Newton High and will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City next year pursing a degree in human health and physiology, which is basically a pre-medical science path. She said she enjoys the science and math classes.

“I like science and health, fitness and sports have brought that out as well. I like caring for other people,” Rhoads said. I want a career where I can be serving and helping others. I feel the medical career is a great way to use those gifts to give back to a community and love other people.”

Rhoads is the NHS student council president involved with numerous activities in school, including Student Athletic Advisory Council, National Honor Society, FCA Class Officer, Environmental Club, Dollars for Scholars Board, Teens Against Human Trafficking, drum line and football cheerleading.

Athletically, Rhoads has earned 10 letters as she has participated in cross country, basketball, soccer and track. She will be a dual-sport athlete this spring with soccer and track. Rhoads is a state qualifier in cross country and track and was a member of Newton’s 2017 state qualifying soccer team.

“As a student-athlete there are a lot of pressures in different ways. You learn time management and to balance your efforts to do the best of your abilities in the classroom and in sports,” Rhoads said. “Sports are more than just going out on the field or court to win competitions, although wins are nice. But you’re learning life lessons which are transferable to many areas of your life including the classroom.”

Rhoads has worked with Jasper County Conservation's first "Youth Conservation Crew," a student volunteer group which helped make park improvements, as well as being active with several other conservation projects.

Rhoads was Newton’s female nominee for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. She is the daughter of Kevin and Kristi Rhoads of Newton.

“I’ve been blessed by the Lord in many ways. I’m thankful for the coaches, teachers and other people who have invested in me as a student, an athlete and a young person,” Rhoads said. “I love being with teammates and working for each other. I’m thankful for the family I have.

“I have two sisters who were great leaders and led the way for me. I have supportive parents and grandparents who are behind me, encouraging me, helping me overcome adversities in sports and in life and teaching me to be a strong leader.”