Rayla Wilson (right) and COC Executive Director Rod Braun (left) at Wednesday’s Pella Christian High School’s Awards Night

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) has selected Pella Christian High School’s Rayla Wilson as the 2015 Sarah M. Braun Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Named in honor of the late daughter of COC Executive Director Rod Braun and his wife Robin and made possible by the COC Foundation Fund, the $1,000 scholarship is presented to a high school senior pursuing an academic focus in human services.

Wilson plans to major in elementary education with a minor in special education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul beginning in the fall of 2015.

Criteria for the scholarship include academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal character and personality. Applications for the scholarship are accepted from all COC service areas.

Daughter of Neil and Angela, Wilson is a Presidential Scholar at Pella Christian, achieving honor roll recognition each semester during her high school career. She also received four superior ratings in flute ensembles.

A Pella native and member of Federated Fellowship Church, Wilson is employed at Jaarsma Bakery and volunteers at The Mango Tree, a ministry of Many Hands for Haiti.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit www.christianopportunity.org.