The word “Scholarship” in and of itself means – “financial aid awarded to a student” and “the methods and achievement of a learned person.”

The Scholarship Committee is a rewarding committee because we truly give and receive for the volunteering we do.  We give assistance to “non-traditional” women going back to college to better their life, to better themselves, to build on their abilities, to rebuild their life. We have had applicants who have started down a career path only to have some tragedy happen and they are forced to take a different road. Those are the heartbreaking applications to read, but to award that recipient is the best reward!

The commonality we find in all of the applicants is the goal of furthering their education and to come closer or reach their final individual goal whether it is a teaching degree, a business degree, a degree in nursing or other noteworthy field.

This year 13 local area women applied for PWN Scholarships. However, as we have reviewed the applications, the word scholarship means so much more to these women. For some it will mean tuition, gas, daycare, books and much more.

As a member of the scholarship committee and with PWN’s support, I think it is important to recognize that we (PWN) are providing the “opportunity” for 4-5 women to achieve their goal of furthering their education and becoming college graduates.

Cheryl Mrstik – 2009 Scholarship Co-Chair