Nontraditional Women Student’s Scholarship

The Medina County Branch of the American Association of University Women awards two $1000 scholarships to “non-traditional” women undergraduate students who are attending an accredited college or university. Applicants must be residents of Medina County and at least 25 years of age. Previous winners are eligible.

A “non-traditional” student is a woman who is returning to college to finish an undergraduate degree, or a woman who has delayed entering college for several years after completing high school or earning a GED.

The deadline for submission of the application for the 2013 awards including college transcript, and recommendations was April 8th.  The scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, and clarity of stated goals and objectives.

For information or applications, contact Betty Lynham, Scholarship Committee Chair. Give telephone number and e-mail address.

Just announced: local scholarship recipients for the 2013-2014 academic year are Laurie Beal, of Wadsworth, and Carla Kaczmarski, of Brunswick..

Recipients for the 2012 scholarships were Nicole Dannery, of Seville, and Megann Welsh, of Brunswick.

Dannery, who has done freelance writing, taught and tutored French, and worked as a paraprofessional aide in Medina City Schools, is enrolled at the University of Akron and is pursuing her BS in Special Education with certification as an Intervention Specialist.

Welsh, a Certified Optometric Technician, is working towards her BS in Nursing at Cleveland State University. She has been active in the Student Nurse Association and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, international nursing honor society.

In addition to their family responsibilities and academic studies, the recipients have volunteered in professional related capacities—Dannery with her church’s Disability Ministry and the Association for the Education of Young Children, and Welsh with MedWish and MedWorks, organizations that seek to serve underinsured patients.

Both women are anticipating completing their degrees within another year’s time.

“BeWISE” Campership

Hey, girl! Are you a sixth or seventh grader interested in a fun week at a university in Ohio with girls your own age exploring science, math and environmental aspects of life around you? Would you like to try some hands-on experiments and experiences using a microscope, find ways to “reduce, reuse and recycle”, learn how to save money, earn interest and shop with your own credit card? This is all part of the curriculum at the BeWISE Camp – Where Girls Succeed!

Medina Branch AAUW sponsors two camperships each year to be awarded to applicants from Medina County for the camp, held at Denison University, Granville, OH, in mid-June. The camp registration is limited to 130 residents for the 6-day session.

This year we had 15 applications for the BEWISE Camp scholarship.  Each applicant was required to turn in the camp application, three teacher recommendations, and an essay.  The topic of the essay was, “Why it is important for girls to become successful scientists and mathematicians, and how will attending BeWISE Camp help me reach my goals I science and/or math.”

This year’s winners are Katie Lydon and Meagan Rain.

Katie Lydon is a seventh grade student at Claggett Middle School in Medina.  She is involved in Science Olympiad, jazz band, her church choir and youth group, and she takes voice lessons.  Her favorite subjects are science and language arts.  She is excited to attend the BeWISE camp because it will present a challenge for her and will expand her knowledge in both math and science.   Katie is the daughter of Jean and Ethan Lydon.

Our other winner is Meagan Rain. Meagan is a seventh grader at Highland Middle School in Sharon Township.  Her hobbies include playing tennis and basketball, and singing.  She has participated in school and church plays and enjoys helping out in the special needs classrooms at school.  She would like to be a forensic anthropologist or a pediatrician. She is excited to attend BeWISE camp to meet other scientifically / mathematically minded girls and to form friendships with them.  Meagan is the daughter of Jodie and Eddie Rain.

Application deadlines for Medina Branch campership awards for next year will be at the end of February, 2014. Winners will be announced in March.  Application forms will be sent to all Medina County middle school guidance counselors. The girls will need to supply two teacher recomendations, the application and a short essay. Forms may also be obtained from branch chairperson Heidi Weber .

Last year’s winners were Jessica Baloun and Antara Rath, both eighth graders at that time from Edwards Middle School, Brunswick.

BeWISE Camp is designed to develop interest, excitement and self-confidence in young women, whether or not they decide to pursue courses and careers in the STEM courses –science, technology, engineering and math.

Learn more about BeWISE camp at their website: http://www.bewisecamp.org.