The Rehmans instructed students in grade levels ranging from preschool through adult during their thirty-five years in education, with a portion spent at Barberton City Schools. Both began as teachers, then Janet progressed to counseling and John moved to school administration. For ten of those years, the Rehmans were employed at prestigious American-based International Schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Being career educators, the Rehmans understand the burden of college debt. They established their scholarship to support Barberton High School graduates entering their fourth (senior) year of college.
Regarding the decision to support college seniors, the Rehmans said, “In their final collegiate year, most students are encumbered with practicums and field experiences in addition to intense studies. Hopefully, our scholarship will help ease the stress of their already taxing obligations.” Additionally, the scholarship requires that recipients be pursuing a baccalaureate degree in a “helping” profession, meaning a field in education, social work, or a healthcare related area. The Rehmans believe that working to attend college can be challenging and rewarding. The scholarship recipient must have provided a significant portion of all previous higher education tuition expenses through employment and/or student loans.
“Most importantly,” the Rehmans said, “The scholarship will help those most in need. The goal of education is to gain and refine skills to enable the individual to become his ‘best self.’”