The United Methodist Church of Summit Announces Scholarship Awards

The United Methodist Church of Summit is pleased to announce the recipients of the Evelyn M. Welsh Scholarship and the Mildred S. Wycoff Scholarship for the 2022 -2023 academic year. The awards were presented to four college bound students from Summit High School’s senior class. The recipients were selected based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need.

Mildred S. Wycoff Scholarship for $1,100 was awarded to Parker La Jeunesse. Parker has been a member of the United Methodist Church of Summit his entire life. He has been an active member of the youth and music programs, currently serving as the youth representative to the church’s Administrative Council, as well as served as a liturgist and acolyte. Parker is always eager to sing the Hallelujah Chorus alongside his church family at the annual Christmas Concert. Parker enjoys attending youth group with his brother and getting to know Christ alongside other youth in Summit and surrounding areas. His presence is always a gift! Parker is looking forward to studying history at Fairleigh Dickinson University, with the hope of someday teaching archeology at the college level–like Indiana Jones, minus all the action.

The Evelyn M. Welsh Scholarship was awarded to Amanda Kathleen Brown, Summer Yao Cullen, and Lea Galvidyte for $1,100 for each recipient. Amanda is a graduate of Summit High School, where she has received Summa Cum Laude honor status for four years. Not only is Amanda a diligent student, she is a devoted member of her family and community. Amanda completed EMT training and has served as a first responder for the First Aid Squad since she was 16. Through her life experiences, she has learned the importance of embodying respect and empathy for others. Amanda is headed to Boston College in the fall, where she will study psychology. She is eager to learn about mental health and addiction so that she can help people in their suffering.

At Summit High School, Summer Ya Cullen bore the responsibilities of Student Council President. Summer has proudly served her school and community through involvement in student council since she was in third grade. From a young age, Summer has known that she enjoys being a voice for others and sticking up for what she believes is right and just. This compassion towards others has grown into a joy exemplified by her call to action as a First Responder with the First Aid Squad. Inspired to a call to duty, she sent on to complete a 6-week course to become a nationally certified EMT. Summer is planning to build on these leadership skills and her desire to help and serve through a career in medicine. She is attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall.

Lea Galvidyte is a graduate of Summit High School, after migrating from Lithuania three years ago. At SHS, Lea has participated in ESL tutoring club, fashion design club, sewing club, art club, treble chorus, theater productions, and more. She received a grant for her Red Ribbon week poem and enjoys playing instruments and drawing. Lea values both science and the arts, and she desires to integrate them in creative ways, such as through artificial intelligence and storytelling art, in her university career at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

It is the ongoing vision of the United Methodist Church of Summit to make it financially possible for students to seek higher education and we are proud to acknowledge this outstanding group of graduates. It is truly an honor for us to be a part of their journey, and we wish them the very best for in their academic pursuits. Scholarship applications are available through local high school guidance departments in February of each year and evaluated by a committee of the UMC of Summit each spring. Funds for scholarship come form the legacy bequests from our members.

To learn more about the UMC of Summit please go to https://umcsummit.org. Feel free to contact the UMC of Summit directly by e-mail at office@umc.org.