Impact Scholars Announced

Congratulations to Steward’s 2026-27 Impact Scholars, Finley Oliff ’30 and Colton Rhyne ’30. The Impact Scholars program provides $10,000 merit scholarships for tuition ($2,500 per year) in Steward’s Upper School to two outstanding current Steward eighth-grade students. Impact Scholars are chosen based on character and leadership, as well as community service, academic excellence, and extracurricular activities, and automatically are offered spots in Steward’s Leadership Program.

 

Finley Oliff 
In a letter nominating Finley for the Impact Scholarship, a teacher noted, “She brings spirit to everything she does. She is a leader among her classmates, serving on both the Spirit Squad and the Student Council Administration. Finley … brings a can-do attitude to every challenge.” 

Finley is a proud Lifer (a Spartan who’s been at Steward since junior kindergarten), and her blue-and-gold pride shows in her enthusiasm about the Impact Scholarship. Hearing the great news “made me so happy,” she said. “I was jumping and smiling and hugging everyone. I’m so grateful.” 

A member of the girls varsity basketball team, Finley was initially a bit nervous about teaming up with more experienced players. “But it was like a new family,” she said, smiling. “Everyone was so supportive and loving.” The team had a winning 2025-26 season, finishing as the #2 team in the state. Finley and her fellow athletes also spent Saturdays throughout the winter hosting basketball practice sessions for a local Special Olympics team. “That was the highlight of the season for me,” she said. “Community service helps me reflect on how fortunate I am.” 

Finley looks forward to the opportunities that the Impact Scholarship offers. “I’m excited to take the next steps in my Steward journey,” she said.  

In a letter of recommendation for the Impact Scholarship, one of Colton’s teachers cited his “work ethic, involvement, and genuine commitment to the school community. What truly sets him apart, however, is his character: He is friendly, cheerful, and consistently kind to others.”

Colton, who serves as president of the Middle School Student Council Administration (SCA), was on his way to the train station to travel to an SCA conference when his mom got a phone call. “She said, ‘Oh, it’s from Steward,’ and put her phone on speaker. That’s when I found out I’d been named an Impact Scholar,” recalled Colton. “It was really exciting to get such good news, especially while I was with my parents!”

Deeply passionate about community service (especially his involvement with the Hanover Youth Service Council), Colton said that giving to others “helps volunteers grow as they work together and help those in need.” He is also a dedicated member of the Dance Committee and boys soccer team.

Asked what he most loves about school life, Colton said, “The opportunities … you can do anything and everything!” He looks forward to ninth grade and is especially excited to join the Leadership Program.

Congratulations to these two exceptional Spartans!