25 Stories for 25 Years
In 1951, Charles and Doris Rechsteiner moved to the Danville community. He was a scientist at Merck, while she taught kindergarten in Danville schools for 20 years, and their three children also followed in these career paths. After Charles's passing in 2003, the Rechsteiner family established a scholarship fund, creating a family legacy built on their commitment to giving back. The Rechsteiner Family Scholarship supports Danville students studying science or education through a full-time undergraduate program.
Kiera Chillis graduated from Danville High School in June 2021, and is a third-year music education major at the Penn State School of Music. As a multi-year scholarship recipient, Kiera has had the unique opportunity to step outside of the classroom to teach music in new cultural settings. She recently participated in the Jamaica Field Service Project, traveling with seven other music education students for learning opportunities through immersion and training sessions. The program included teaching elementary students basic drum patterns on traditional West African drums and leading traditional Jamaican folk songs like "Mango Time".
"I am grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has given me, especially the ability to continue my education in becoming a music educator. Music is one of my passions and this generous scholarship continues to support my desire to learn all I can in my years at Penn State." (Kiera Chillis)
Kiera is just one of the many education and science students who have benefited from the Rechsteiner family's legacy. Without the generosity and kindness of donors like Charles and Doris, the road to a degree and opportunities for unique learning experiences become much more difficult.