Submitted to Easton Patch:

Last month, Tayler Sabella, a senior at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, was surprised with a $5,000 scholarship for college in a special surprise ceremony at the Massachusetts Statehouse. (She thought she was just on a tour of the statehouse with a nonprofit group she is a part of – School on Wheels).

Her scholarship is part of the Sun Life Rising Star Awards Program. Created by local financial services company Sun Life Financial, the program aims to address low high school graduation rates in large urban school districts by providing financial and educational resources to students and nonprofit organizations committed to increasing success in high school and beyond. The program, now in its second year, also seeks to promote financial literacy as a means to achieve life-long financial wellness and stability.

In 2011, Sun Life will invest more than $1 million to outstanding students and nonprofit organizations affiliated with large urban school districts across the country, including Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and South Florida. Each winning organization will receive a $50,000 grant, while each student nominee will receive a $5,000 Sun Life Rising Star scholarship towards financing a college education. In addition to monetary support, Sun Life will collaborate with the organizations to increase financial literacy through curriculum and educational resources.

Tayler was nominated for her scholarship by Sun Life Rising Star Award nonprofit winner School on Wheels.

Her accomplishments include:

• Tayler is an active participant in extra-curricular activities in school including drama, fitness, and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).
• Tayler is the only student member on the School on Wheels Advisory Council, where she has participated as a speaker at the School on Wheels Volunteer Appreciation Dinner as well as other events.
• Tayler received the “High Five” award from her high school; a recognition for exceptionally caring students who give back to their school and community.
• Taylor is a positive role model for her sister Britni who is now planning on attending college and who recently made the honor roll in 7th grade.
• Tayler plans on attending either Bridgewater State University or Emerson College following her high school graduation.