Scholarships awarded to single parents
Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007
The annual event was held Thursday night in Bentonville.
BENTONVILLE — Focused on bright futures, the 23 rd anniversary of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County awarded 204 scholarships totaling $ 188, 100 to 131 students Thursday night.
The annual dinner and program, held at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Bentonville, was hosted by Arvest Bank, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
Diane Wells, SPSF / BC program chairwoman, said at a press conference before the program began that along with focusing on the students, she sees more emphasis placed on the children of the students.
“ That’s absolutely a good thing because we want to encourage education, ” Wells explained. “ When we let students’ children know how important school is, we can break the cycle. ”
Student speakers confirmed the positive impact their education had on their children. Program graduate Kim Stabb teaches second grade today, and her own children have benefited by watching her example. Anita Solis has three semesters to complete before she earns a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
“ My son is a first-grader who just started school this week, ” Solis said. “ So, we each ask each other how our days were. I’m so proud of the way he’s growing up and seeing me work hard to get my degree. I’m really grateful for this program. One of the best things it’s done for me is help me believe in myself. I’ll be the first college graduate in my family. It wouldn’t have happened without Single Parent Scholarship. ”
At Thursday’s event, cookies on the tables were in honor of the late Helen Walton, a huge supporter of the program. Walton died last April, but her generosity to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund program continues to touch and improve lives. Walton was also a 60-year member of the women’s organization, PEO. Several PEO members attended the dinner Thursday evening.
Winners of the 2007 Tribute Awards were kept secret until the benefit dinner. Receiving awards were Lien Nguyen, a longtime friend and tireless worker for the program; Stephen Brown, an educator and former board chairman of the program who is described as “ always about the student”; and Mary Crow, administrative assistant to the executive director of SPSF / BC who remains dedicated, efficient and organized as she adds humor to the office atmosphere.
Before dinner, SPSF / BC Executive Director Ladonna Penner said she appreciates the willingness of all the donors to lend a hand to single parents.
“ I think, ” Penner said, “ that they realize how important education is. Research shows that the single most important determiner of children staying in school is the education their parents have. So, our parents are showing their children how much an education means. ”
SPSF / BC Board member Rich Davis is chairman of the Facilities Committee. He said that in August 2006, 1. 1 acres were purchased on Southwest D Street in Bentonville.
“ Our critical mission is to build an affordable, comfortable building for the program, ” Davis said. “ Hopefully, by this time next year, we’ll be in our new building that will have more room for staff and students. ”
Program founder Marjorie Marugg-Wolfe said the evening for her was “ joyous. ”
“ It’s intensely rewarding to see so many students who not only get an education, ” Marugg-Wolfe said, “ but who also are giving back to the community. It’s wonderful. I’m thinking, too, tonight about Helen Walton and all the Walton family has done for our program. I continue to be amazed at the broad support we receive in northwest Arkansas. ”
The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County has been “ Enriching Lives and the Community ” since 1984.
2007 Achievement Awards winners
• The Marjorie Marugg-Wolfe Graduate Scholarship: Yvonne King, MBA at JBU, $ 1, 000.
• The Jami Jensen Volunteer Service Award: Laura Dye, elementary education at the U of A, $ 1, 000.
• The John Boles Achievement Award: Rocio Palomino, nursing at NWACC, $ 1, 000.
• The Jim Von Gremp Leadership Award: Sherri Gurleski, organizational management at JBU, $ 1, 000.
• The Alumni Award: Carla Hudson, elementary education at U of A; Marianne Wind, social work at NWACC; and Inge Watkins, radiologic technology at UAMS, $ 1, 000 each.
• Martha Rose Scholars: Jennifer Maple, nursing at U of A, and Anita Solis, nursing at U of A, $ 1, 500 each; and Tammy Hayes, Mary Smiley, Kim Carr and Shalina Bingham, $ 1, 000 each.
• Small Business Scholars: Monica Robinson, Amanda Culmer, Heidi Frederickson, Dianna Portillo and Kimberly Troxtel, $ 1, 000 each.
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