by Judy Murphy

Congratulations to us all! Thanks to contributions to the Angel Fund, theater fundraisers, memorial gifts and donations to the Marge Carter Book Fund, and Scribble Sisters for the proceeds from their book, Scratchings 3, fifty students at the Community College of Vermont have received AAUW Scholarships.

Since the program began in 2007, the Scholarship Committee has awarded 108 scholarship and book awards, totaling $54,764. These mini-grants have enabled 50 non-traditional female students to attend college.

Looking back, Jennifer Kern, chair of the Scholarship Committee, commented, “Who would have thought we would still be handing out scholarships and could have raised all this money! You just never know!”

“This is most impressive, from the number of recipients to the monies donated to this worthy cause. To the Scholarship Committee, well done, well managed, “ commented Madeline Kennedy, who, with Mary Feidner, handles the theater fundraisers.

Six women applied for the Fall semester scholarships, a daunting number. However, allocation of funds went further this term due to the fact that five of the six applicants will have their tuition covered by special, one-time funds from the State of Vermont. These grants through VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation) are for those pursuing careers in areas where there is a great need–such as childcare and accounting.

Scholarship Recipients

Amber Pease

Amber Pease, 34, of Williamstown will receive her first scholarship this fall. She was awarded $700.  Her letter to the committee sums up the purpose for the scholarship program.

She wrote, “I am deeply humbled and grateful to be a recipient of the AAUW Scholarship for the Fall semester of 2021 at CCV. When I received the call informing me of my award, I was elated and relieved. My Fall semester is covered in full and that takes one big worry from my plate. As a woman in college, running a home, and being a parent to three children, that one less worry will only help me to be able to focus on school with less stress and to be a great role model for my daughters. I am so thankful to the committee for choosing me as a recipient. I am honored. Thank you.”

In an essay Ms. Pease stated that, “For the majority of my adult life I have worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse in long term care settings, specializing in the oversight and care of behavioral and psychiatric patients, as well as those with a diagnosis of dementia. . . . I ascended the leadership ladder quickly in any facility that I worked, becoming Nursing Manager in two separate facilities. I was highly encouraged by my supervisors to continue my education and obtain my RN license. I applied for and was accepted in Vermont Technical College for their RN program; however, I was required to take some prerequisites. That was when I found CCV. I was quickly accepted and enrolled by the amazing staff.”

Her dream is to become a clinical psychologist and to work with women and trans-females who have a history of trauma and/or substance use disorders.

Ms. Pease received high praise from Mary Slezak, a co-worker at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield, MA., who has known Amber since 2012. “Amber was unit manager of the psychiatric unit at the time. . . . Working with high-risk clients she was able to maintain consistency in the lives of the residents whether it meant organizing care schedules, taking over nursing responsibilities, or speaking with a client to help calm them in a period of agitation. . . . She meets others with a level of respect that is never conditional and has always been a champion for those who have needed assistance.”

Valerie Welter taught Amber in her class on Introduction to Substance Abuse at CCV. “Amber’s assignments and discussion contributions served to enhance the academic content of the course. . . . Amber proved herself to be a mature, dedicated, and motivated student, continually striving to learn through active inquiry and possessing the ability to engage in expressive academic dialogue. . . .  “It is my belief that the characteristics illustrated above, along with Amber’s life experience, will serve her well in the studies and beyond.” 

Cassie Furciniti 

Cassie Furciniti, 32, of Bennington will receive her 6th scholarship. The $600 award will help with childcare and internet expenses as she pursues studies in Business Management. She has two children, ages 3 and 4.

Up until now, Cassie has been studying for a degree in childcare but a recent change in employment changed her goal to business management.

She wrote in an essay, “I have spent five and a half years working for a staffing agency. I just recently was offered a higher position with a hotel and decided it would be financially more suitable for my family lifestyle. I have been taking courses towards Early Childhood Education for almost five semesters now and decided to switch to Business Management because of the changes in my career. I think that changing to Business Management will help me to better understand the role I am now playing as a General Manager of a hotel. I want to be able to expand my horizons and am eager to learn all there is to know about managing a business. My family still comes first so I know it is a long road once again to achieve my diploma.”

Cassie has not given up owning a daycare business and feels the new studies will facilitate the business and operational side of owning a daycare center. “I still have a goal of opening my own daycare facility. I also have a goal of succeeding and building a career path as General Manager,” she wrote in her application.

Darcy Oakes, Coordinator of Student Advising at CCV, described Cassie as an “energetic and driven student. Her enthusiasm for her chosen career field in business and for learning is apparent, and Cassie is clearly dedicated to completing her business degree…In our work together, Cassie has exhibited a great deal of tenacity and willingness to keep pursuing answers to questions, and opportunities for timely degree completion.

Abigail Arnold knows Cassie from being on the Bennington Rural Fire Department with her and from working with her, on scene, while with Bennington Rescue Squad. In a reference, she wrote that “since knowing Cassie, I have seen her grow with her education and want for more knowledge. . . . She often goes beyond expectations and helps others in the department grow. . . . Cassie is a strong and independent person who is always thinking of the bigger picture for herself and others that surround her life.”

Cassie is looking forward to taking her children places now that everything is opening up: “I would love to take them to a zoo as I have never been to one. I have so much that I want to do with my children. . . .  I want to show them the world and to be able to see the world for myself,” she wrote.

In an email, Cassie wrote: “I would like to thank the Bennington Branch for the AAUW scholarship that I was awarded. I would especially like to thank Jennifer Kern for her dedication and hard work. She is an amazing and caring individual.”

Ellisa Mattison

Ellisa Mattison, 32, of Pownal is currently a teacher at Oak Hill Children’s Center and is studying toward an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at CCV. This semester she was awarded $450, which will help to pay for internet expenses and ink for her printer. This is her third AAUW scholarship.

“I am a mother of two wonderful children and a wife. I am in the process of trying to finish my dream of getting my Associates in Early Childhood Education to show my children they can do anything they put their minds to and not let people try and make it so they do not reach for their dreams,” she wrote in her application.

“When I am done with my associates my plans are to go for my bachelors. When I go for my bachelors I would like to go for special education. I want to be able to help children with special needs,” she continued.

Carol Tashie, Faculty and TRIO Coach at CCV-Rutland recommended Ellisa, saying, “I had the pleasure of having Ellisa in one of my classes and witnessed growth in her skills and confidence as she successfully moved through the semester…The class, The Power of Food in Film, Literature and Culture, is an upper-level, interdisciplinary course that requires students to critically examine literature and film in order to explore the cultural and social significance of food in a range of world cultures, the role of food as a literary or cinematic device, and the metaphoric quality of food as it expresses human desire and behavior…As a full-time, working  mother, Ellisa’s commitment and motivation shone through as she worked around her job and her children’s schedules to get her schoolwork done on-time and with skill. Ellisa earned an A in this class.

In her final evaluation, Ms. Tashie wrote: “You have done an excellent job of relating to all of the material presented in class and demonstrating ways the topics are relevant to your own life and your community’s well-being…I really appreciated your unique way of thinking and writing about the topics we discussed.”

Lindsey LaBonte, who works with Ellisa, said in her recommendation letter that “She is a very dedicated worker and enjoys working with our children and teaching them through play…I feel that this scholarship would be used for a great purpose building young minds

In a letter of appreciation, Ellisa wrote: “I just want to say thank you so much from my heart. You have helped my family a lot with the struggle of COVID. I am able to keep going to school to keep pursuing my dream. Thanks.”

April Crawford

April Crawford, 39, who lives in Bennington, is receiving a second scholarship. Since her tuition is fully paid, her only outstanding need is to pay for textbooks. The Committee awarded April the amount of $350 for this purpose. Mother of two children aged 8 and 9, she is working toward a Bookkeeping Certificate and an Associate Degree in Accounting..

In her application essay, April talked about a course that changed her life forever. It was her first course at CCV, Dimensions in Self and Society, taught by Elizabeth McHale, and she says this experience “inspired me to continue with my studies. . . . After many years out of school, my first college class was terrifying for me, with many uncertainties within myself at first. I was frightened to post on the discussion board, panicked to submit the first writing piece, scared I would be wrong. After the first week of reservations, . . . I became more comfortable and felt a demand for more knowledge. I found myself learning about Plato and the world of philosophy, surrealist artists, poems by Ellen Bass, the novel Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, and much more. . . . Even though I may have been a little apprehensive about it, this class taught me to push through. . . . Elizabeth has led me to believe in myself through all of my insecurities. I know it [the course] will motivate me through my managerial accounting class this semester and the many semesters ahead.”

Barrie Rosalinda, adjunct faculty at CCV, was April’s teacher for Financial Accounting. In a letter of support for April,  she stated, “As a result of the pandemic, the spring course was taught online via Zoom. Ms. Crawford attended every weekly class throughout the semester and arrived on time. She was responsible towards her work and was genuinely interested in the course content. Ms. Crawford participated actively in class and demonstrated a strong understanding of the content. When she was challenged by the content, Ms. Crawford asked questions, sought support, and asked for additional work to help solidify her understanding. Ms. Crawford completed all assignments and submitted the assignments on time. She earned an A in the course. . . .  I think she will succeed academically and professionally. I would welcome her in any class I teach.”

John Blume, manager of the Clip Shop, Grand Salon and Day, stated in a recommendation for April, “I have seen many employees come and go through the years, but April Crawford is one individual that has uniquely stood out. April has worked for me for close to 20 years. During that time, starting as a receptionist, I noticed great responsibility, initiative-taking and wonderful people skills. As the years passed, I would give April more and more responsibility with her embracing all of it.”

April took on the Wedding Coordinator position, held meetings and trained any new employees hired for our front desk. All of this with a smile, great customer service for our clientele. and raising a family of five! April became my . . . “go-to person” when I needed something done and a problem solved.

It was a sad day when April left our salon to pursue another chapter of her life and career but looking at this she is a determined woman and a great mother to juggle both. April will succeed in whatever she does because of this determination.”

April expressed her gratitude: “I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the AAUW scholarship for women again. Thank you for your generosity, which has relieved my financial burden this semester. As I complete the last semester toward my Bookkeeping Certificate at CCV, I am incredibly thankful for your help. . . .”

Sarah Webster

Sarah Webster, 36, a resident of Bennington, will receive a scholarship of $400. Although her tuition is covered,  Sarah needs a laptop to use at college, since her computer is “on its last legs.” This is her second AAUW scholarship.

In an essay for the scholarship, Sarah wrote, “My career goal has been to become a nurse, primarily in pediatrics. I am now in my third semester at CCV and taking courses during the summer. Throughout this Fall and Spring, I was completing my prerequisite for Nursing. After taking the Medical Terminology flex course during spring semester, I decided I wanted to also learn more about the business/computer aspect of the medical field. Darcy [her advisor] was able to assist me in adding the Medical Assistant Certification to my degree.”

I will be continuing my education at CCV in the Fall semester with Phlebotomy (in person, I can’t wait), along with a Spreadsheet course to go along with my certification, I am very excited for the in-person class, as I know that learning phlebotomy would be quite difficult as an online class.

One of my many weaknesses is not giving myself credit for anything I accomplish. I have been told I am not good enough at things or will never finish, but I am here to prove everyone wrong. I have been wanting to go back to school for so long and now I am enrolled but I fear that I am going to let myself down. But then I remember I am not only doing this for me but for my family, to give my kids (now two of them) a mom they can be proud of and know that they and my husband will be there when I receive my degree in two years.” she concluded.

In an encouraging reference Danielle LaFleur Brooks, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Instructor at CCV, stated, “Sara was my student in Medical Terminology in the Spring of 2021. Sara successfully demonstrated learning in every avenue provided, including ‘DemonstrateYour Learning” discussion posts, module quizzes, and the mid-term and final exams. . . .  Sara’s interest in medicine and patient care were clear. . . . Sara has much potential as a student and future healthcare professional. I am confident that Sara will be successful in her field of choice.”

Robert Jones employed Sara in his shop for three years and described her as “a very bright and intelligent young woman…I know that her choosing a career path as a nurse fits her very well…she is very proud to show me her grades and current GPA. I am very proud to see her excelling in something she has so much passion for. My wife was an army nurse and she was headstrong and spirited, just like Sara is. We both wish her the best in her future career and know she will do wonderful things.”

In an email, Sara thanked AAUW: “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to continue on with my career goal of becoming a nurse.  I have also added the medical assistant certification, which includes an in-person phlebotomy course, which I am super excited for. It really means the world to me and helps get me just one step closer to my dream career of becoming a nurse.”

Amanda Sweet

Amanda Sweet, 38, of Bennington, is a first-time applicant who qualifies in every way for an AAUW scholarship. She applied when she planned on attending CCV as a part time student. However, when she decided to attend full time, her financial picture changed considerably. Once her Pell and VSAC monies and other funds were totaled, she learned that her educational costs were fully covered. She was encouraged to apply next semester when her financial picture may be very different. We wish Amanda Sweet well in her goal to study Early Childhood Education.

Scholarship Committee

Jennifer Kern chairs the Scholarship Committee and does the heavy lifting, consulting  with CCV staff to assess student sources of income. Our thanks to Lucy Robinson and Darcy Oakes,  and Linda  Sinkiewich, student advisors at CCV, for their help. Other members are Gudrun Hutchins and Judy Murphy, who meet with Jennifer prior to each semester to determine scholarship fund allocation.

 

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