Rachel Blake Memorial Scholarship

Rachel Blake was a career school teacher and taught English, forensics, dramatics, and directed the completion of the annual school yearbook from 1948 to 1968. She received her teaching degree from Central State Teachers College (now the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) in 1923.

Rachel and her husband Melvin had three children – two of whom were teachers and the third a doctor. Melvin passed away very early in the couple’s retirement and Rachel then went to live with her daughter and family for the following 30 years. She passed away on December 18, 2004, at the age of 101, alert to the very end.

Mrs. Blake was known to her students for her easy-going nature and stoic personality. Every student who was in a Rachel Blake class had vivid memories of events that took place in her class. Mrs. Blake was known as the warmest, kindest, and most gentle person any student ever had for a teacher. Because forensics and dramatics were extracurricular activities, her students who participated in these activities were rewarded with her direct attention and coaching.

Mrs. Blake’s daughter has said that Mrs. Blake considered this scholarship in her name to be her greatest honor. Because of her twenty years of service to Amherst High School and her numerous contributions to education and others, the Tomorrow River Scholarship Foundation is proud that an endowed scholarship was established in the name of Rachel Blake.