Scholarship winner Vivian Echeverria

The Mature Women Scholarships Committee members met to review applications submitted by the Bucks County Community College for the two scholarships provided by the branch; namely the Judith Peter and the Amy Kurland-Toney Memorial Scholarships. Members of the committee include Chair, Carol Kurland, Valerie Monkowski, Kathy Shaginaw, Linda Lackpour, Barbara Shandelman and Pat Kolle. Beth Gentile was unable to participate since she was in the hospital.

We read and discussed 17 Judith Peter applications and 14 Amy Kurland-Toney applications. One person was selected from each category: Vivian Echeverria for the Judith Peter scholarship and Christine Sroka for the Amy Kurland-Toney scholarship, and Kristal Karl in the BCCC Financial Aid office was so notified. We elected to increase the amount of each scholarship from $1100 to $1500 for the fall term. If both women continue to meet all requirements, the scholarships will be renewed in the spring. Otherwise new candidates will be sought with the help of the college.

Ms. Echeverria is 47, is a single mother with a 15 year old son, who is studying to be a nurse, with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner, at the BSN level. She has escaped domestic abuse and homelessness and with the help of her church now has her own apartment. She now works two jobs on various shifts and volunteers at St.Mary Medical Center, while taking 15 credits and maintaining a 3.8 GPA. She is registered in the Health Science program.

Ms. Sroka is 40, a single mother with two children, ages 14 and 12, is working toward a degree in nutrition to become a registered dietitian, who maintains a 4.0 GPA. Her goal is to work with and support individuals with eating disorders. She is a member of Phi Theta kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is registered in the Liberal Arts program.

Read about the third scholarship awarded later in the year.