Armstrong graduate Landon Camacho receives Grow Your Own Scholarship

What began as an exciting surprise quickly became a life-changing moment for Armstrong High School (AHS) graduate Landon Camacho.

Camacho was selected to receive a Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) Grow Your Own Scholarship, which will help him pursue his dream of becoming an educator.

“I was shocked. In the moment, it didn’t really register with me how big this was,” said Camacho. “I now don’t have to worry about affording tuition for a year, which allows me to instead focus on myself while I navigate this transitional time from high school to adulthood.”

The Grow Your Own Scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated a passion for education, a commitment to serving others and the potential to make a lasting impact in Rdale. Scholarship recipients may receive full or partial tuition support—up to $25,000—to attend college while preparing to become educators.

This fall, Camacho will attend the University of St. Thomas, where he plans to study social studies education.

He views the next chapter of his life as "an opportunity to become the best version of myself, an opportunity to grow with those who I love most, an opportunity to become what I've hoped to be for years." 

In his time at AHS, Camacho explored the wide variety of activities offered and found a sense of belonging in theater, both on the crew and onstage, the National Honor Society, and the Supermileage Team. He was also a member of the 281 Youth Council, music ensembles, and played lacrosse.

Camacho is one of several students selected for the Grow Your Own Scholarship after successfully completing a college preparatory education course. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to education, academic readiness, positive contributions to their school communities, and recommendations from teachers and mentors.

The scholarship is part of Rdale’s Grow Your Own program, supported through the Minnesota Department of Education. The program helps develop the next generation of educators by supporting local students and community members who aspire to teach, with a focus on building a diverse workforce that reflects the students and communities they serve.

As he looks ahead to college, Camacho also has advice for future graduates.

"Remember to love yourself and never let anyone, including yourself, talk you down," he said. "You deserve to be happy in high school. Have fun, enjoy yourself and treasure the relationships you build with others. Anything that makes you enjoy yourself is time well spent because it's impossible to waste time when you're having fun."

Students interested in pursuing a career in education are encouraged to explore future Grow Your Own opportunities through Rdale.