Opportunity to Grow Scholarship Winners

2020 Winner: Lindsay Wheeler

Lindsay Wheeler is a senior at Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas, NV.  Early on she understood the importance of volunteering and giving back to others.  Her experience in the community as a member of National Charity League allowed her to identify an unmet need which led to her founding Project Dot, a non-profit that supplies feminine hygiene items to help homeless and low-income women and girls in Southern Nevada.

For years she struggled in school and couldn’t explain why.  The summer before her Junior year in high school she was diagnosed with a form of dyslexia.  Her success with Project Dot gave her the confidence and perseverance to push through and focus on her educational therapy to gain the skills she needed to succeed.

In her spare time (and prior to the pandemic), Lindsay enjoys playing club volleyball, playing guitar, shopping for vintage vinyl records and traveling.  She is president of her school’s National Arts Honor Society and has received awards in local art competitions through her work in the International Baccalaureate art program.

Lindsay plans to pursue a career in psychology to help children with special needs, like her, to make sure they have the resources and programs to succeed.

She has learned that she has a powerful voice and is looking forward to going off to college and building her network to change the world!

Reaction Statement: “I am honored to have been selected for this scholarship.  I am passionate about our community and it’s humbling to be recognized for the work that I do. This award shows that I can be an inspiration to others even thought I am just a teen. My work won’t stop when I go off to college as I hope to continue to help others for many years to come.”