William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2011-11-01 / 11. szám

William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

2011-2012 Scholarship Essay Awards

Students applying for grants through the William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation were asked to submit, among their application materials, an essay discussing the topic: “What community, charitable or volunteer act were you involved with in the last 12 months?” All essays were read and judged by members of the Foundation’s Executive Committee, and the best essays were selected for special recognition. Many fine essays were submitted, reflecting the outstanding fraternal spirit of our young member-scholars. Prizes in the form of additional cash grants were awarded to the top three essays among both new and renewal applicants. We proudly publish those six winning essays here.

First Prize - New Students - $500

Nicole C. Reynolds, Br. 296 Springdale, PA

ST. LUCY'S AUXILIARY to the Blind is a volunteer organization that promotes service to others and recognizes young women for their efforts. The highlight of the year is the Medallion Ball. The Ball honors a select group of young women who have completed a hundred hours or more of community service during their high school years.

I qualified through my community service to participate in St. Lucy's Auxiliary and was privileged to attend the Ball, which was held in November. I completed more than 250 hours of community service during the past four years at St. John Neumann, as an aide in the Good Shepherd program and as an Appalachia work camper, and as a Special Olympics volunteer. At the ceremony, Bishop Zubik presented the Joan of Arc Medallion to me and the other community service volunteers. The medallion is a beautiful reminder of time I devoted and the good that comes from public service.

I had an amazing time at the Ball and meeting the Bishop. By helping others I learned a great deal about myself and how all of us through service can become people who shine a light and instill hope in the hearts of others.

12 0 November 2011 ° William Penn Life

First Prize - Renewal Students - $500

Gina M. Goettler, Br. 34 Pittsburgh, PA

THIS PAST JULY, I took a month long mission trip to Africa. It was one of the most influential, exciting, and life-changing experiences of my entire life. Some things that we did while we were there were building the foundation for a church, ministering to the villagers in the village, conducting a vacation bible school-like program for the children in the slums, and sharing our time and life experiences with people of Ghana. What was so incredible to me was the faith that these poor people had in God, knowing that He would provide and care for them.