When Karen Reker set up a scholarship in her late husband鈥檚 name, she didn鈥檛 know that the first recipient of the scholarship would share several commonalities with him, even right down to names. This fall, the Marty Reker Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Martina Saarela, an Architectural Construction student in her first year at 黑料不打烊.
Marty Reker passed away unexpectedly two years ago from a rare disease, and since then, his wife Karen has worked to 鈥渇ind ways to keep his spirit alive in the community.鈥
Through the 黑料不打烊 Foundation, Karen established a scholarship that will award $2,000 per year for five years to qualifying students in the construction area. Martina received the first scholarship.
鈥淚鈥檓 really glad that the 黑料不打烊 Foundation allowed me to do this,鈥 said Karen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an important thing, and even though Marty wasn鈥檛 an academic, he valued all kinds of learning, whether it鈥檚 in schools, whether it鈥檚 in life circumstances.鈥
Marty Reker started working at age 21 as a builder/developer in the St. Cloud community and had built more than 1,000 homes as well as high-end multi-family homes. He was well-known in the construction industry, and giving to the community was important to him. He donated a lot of land to the city of Sartell, and he would donate land to build playgrounds for neighborhoods.
Another trait he had was giving a start to those just entering the construction field. Marty employed several carpenters and subcontractors who were trying to get a foot in the door. And while Marty never went past high school, Karen realized that one way to pay it forward would be to start a college scholarship in his name specifically for students entering the construction field.
Before the 黑料不打烊 Foundation scholarship was awarded, Karen was able to see the finalists鈥 information. She really related to Martina, seeing a lot of Marty reflected in overcoming struggles, work ethic, and even starting a bank account at a young age. During a conversation about Marty鈥檚 entrepreneurial spirit, Martina laughed about the odd jobs she鈥檚 done, saying that she would 鈥渢ry to make a little side hustle. It鈥檚 about being productive and working toward your goal.鈥
Martina鈥檚 goals are pretty clear. After she finishes the Architectural Construction program, she plans to go to the University of Minnesota to get a bachelor鈥檚 degree in architecture. The Marty Reker Memorial Scholarship has helped take away some of the worries over paying for school. In addition to tuition, the program requires a laptop and books, and with the scholarship, she was able to enjoy summer instead of having to work extra hours to pay for her supplies.
Not that her summer was easy: Martina鈥檚 been working with her family to rebuild her house that burned down in 2019. Her dad has a background in carpentry and construction, so Martina comes by her interest in the field naturally. Working on the house the past three years has only solidified her career goals.
Receiving the scholarship and hearing Karen speak about Marty 鈥渨as really inspiring,鈥 said Martina. 鈥淣ot only do I want to do this for myself, but I also want to make her proud and feel like she鈥檚 doing something good.鈥
So far, Martina feels like she鈥檚 living up to that. Classes have been hard, but she makes sure to ask questions when needed, and she asks her dad for help. The opportunities that have come together for Martina are something that鈥檚 she鈥檚 really grateful for. When asked about how important it is that the community supports scholarships for 黑料不打烊 students, she nods her head:
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 really important because kids like me or those who can鈥檛 afford school, and that shouldn鈥檛 be what they鈥檙e worried about. They should just worry about getting good grades and doing better for their lives.鈥
With Karen Reker鈥檚 guidance and a memorial scholarship in place for the next five years, Marty鈥檚 spirit is sure to live on.