Women's Association Awards $4,500 in Scholarships

Several of the nine recipients receiving scholarships from the Troy Women’s Association are separated by generations, but all have a common desire: to complete an education that can help them achieve.

Some of the women already have children and families of their own, while others are young with dreams that are just beginning.  Like their ages, their academic goals range in interest from business to medicine. In a ceremony before the association’s June 7 meeting, each recipient was recognized and received a flower.

graduate Morgan Fisher, 18 said she was “ecstatic” to win one of the nine $500 scholarships granted by the Women’s Association. She intends to use the scholarship to help this fall at Oakland University, where she plans to study business.

At 14, Fisher founded a nonprofit humanitarian organization called Bands That Jam for Africa.  The organization stages concerts to raise money to provide clean water, education and food to children in Africa.  Fisher has raised about $50,000 for the cause since she started her efforts.

Kaye Chervenak, who chaired the Women’s Association’s scholarship committee, said community service is a major criterion for being considered for a scholarship, however financial need also is considered. Chervenak and three other committee members selected this year’s recipients from 32 applicants.

Scholarships are available to high school seniors and women returning to school.

Barbara Finnigan, a former employee at Delphi, received the Donna Smith Scholarship, which is granted in memory of the association’s treasurer and longtime member. Finnigan worked in Delphi’s accounting department and plans to finish her studies at expand her career opportunities.

Other recipients recognized this month were: Supriya Jalukar, Meredith Schraski, Robin Tyrell, Kayla Murrish, Donna Brown, Xiaoming Xu and Taylor Strobridge.

While applicants aren’t required to reside in Troy, preference is given to those who do.

Murrish, who graduated from this year, said she learned of the scholarship opportunity from a friend. The 18-year-old has volunteered her time to help Gleaner’s Food Bank and God’s Helping Hand. She plans to study economics and history at Grove City College in Pennsylvania as a primer to law school.

Scholarships are awarded annually with funding from Elf Shelf, a holiday craft show and sale that serves as the association’s major fundraising event. The scholarship process begins in April with awards available to high school students and women returning to school.

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