Rebecca K Wilkins Vocal Music Scholarship Fund

In honor of my mother, Becky Wilkins, a scholarship fund is being created so that her legacy and her passion for excellence in vocal music can continue to make the impact she had on so many people.

Becky taught vocal music at Graham Local Schools in St. Paris, Ohio from 1966-1968 before going on to obtain her Master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University in 1969. From 1969 to 1980, she taught vocal music at Bolich Junior High/Middle School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio before becoming the music director at Cuyahoga Fall High School, where she taught until her retirement in 2002.

Her passions teaching high school music included directing the high school musical each year, leading and directing the select A Capella choir, and directing and competing with the award-winning showchoir, the Melodymen & Melodettes (M&M’s). She was proud to be able to consider so many of her former students lifelong friends.

During her career she was recognized time and again for her excellence and impact and was named one of the 58 most influential teachers in the United States in Newsweek magazine in 1989. In 1992, Becky received the Rita Dove award for creativity in education, and she was named Outstanding Educator in Cuyahoga Falls by the Parent Teacher Student Association in 1994. She was a proud member of several educational organizations including the National Education Association, American Choral Directors’ Association, Music Educators’ National Conference, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Music Education Association, and Cuyahoga Falls Education Association.

A celebration of life is planned at the Cuyahoga Falls High School auditorium on July 27th, 2024.

The scholarship will be intended to benefit a graduating high school student pursuing vocal music performance or vocal music education at a college or university. It is my hope to raise enough money to start this fund and raise enough to allow it to continue and grow year after year.