YWCA Awards Scholarships to 2 Seniors
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The YWCA of Youngstown has awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarship money to two Mahoning Valley high school seniors. The scholarships, awarded as part of the YWCA’s Young Women with Bright Futures program, were made possible through a grant from the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.
To continue to receive the award, they must maintain full-time student status and a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Keilah Bryant of Youngstown Early College was awarded $3,000 a year for four years and will attend Youngstown State University. Emily Partika of Lowellville was awarded $2,000 a year for four years and is headed for the College of Wooster.
Through its Young Women with Bright Futures program, the YWCA each year recognizes young women in their senior year of high school who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their schools, communities, and families. The young women are selected by their teachers or administrators for their leadership qualities, academic excellence, creativity and volunteerism. This year, 30 area high schools participated in the event.
The award “lightened my financial burden. which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of higher education — learning,” Bryant said.
“I am so grateful to receive this scholarship award and I am honored to represent the women of our area,” Partika said. “Participating in the Young Women with Bright Futures program has been a great experience, and I wish the best of luck to each of the other honorees.”
Winners were chosen anonymously by a Bright Futures subcommittee. Criteria for selection was based on points earned from participation and attendance at three leadership development sessions; a community service project; attendance at Bright Futures orientation and banquet; an essay on eliminating racism and empowering women; and completion of the application packet. Scholarships were limited to honorees planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a college with its main campus in northeastern Ohio or northwestern Pennsylvania.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
