On Tuesday, June 25, the Unity Foundation of La Porte County hosted its 2013 Scholarship & Award Celebration. The celebration, held at Heston Hills Banquet & Conference Center, honored 126 of La Porte County’s outstanding students and the families, businesses, and organizations that are funding their futures.
Starting at 5 p.m., award recipients had a chance to mingle with the generous donors while snacking on light hors d'oeuvres. At 5:30 p.m., the program began and the recipients were publically awarded and congratulated for their accomplishments.
“Unity Foundation is very pleased to recognize dozens of outstanding students through the scholarship reception. Not only do we celebrate giving 126 scholarships, but it also provides a great opportunity for some of our generous donors to meet the students they are helping. It’s not a requirement that community foundations hold such events, but we feel it’s a wonderful way to thank our donors and bring attention to the fact that there are so many hard-working students who are striving to achieve higher education goals,” explained Unity Foundation Vice President Sandy Gleim.
The scholarships were awarded to fresh graduates headed off to their first year of college, and current college students looking to continue their educational career. The winners were chosen out of over 200 applications by specific accolades such as hard work, community involvement, and academic achievement. Certain scholarships were awarded on certain criteria such as a particular degree.
President of the Unity Foundation Maggi Spartz explained, “The deliberations on the applications were very intense. I am extremely grateful for our scholarship committee. They have a tough job to do.”
After completing a rigorous online application provided by the Unity Foundation, applicants had to patiently await to learn of their fate-and many had something to be cheer about.
Recipient of the Terence Metcalf Memorial Scholarship Marinda Landry said, “I was very excited to receive the award. I am glad that members of the community take the time to raise the money for all of us students to earn a degree.”
By the end of the night the community gave away a total of $130,000 in scholarships to star students. The recipients will journey into their futures and accomplish phenomenal feats. The scholarships will “strengthen La Porte now and forever.”