White County Single Parent Scholarship Inc. Fund Awards Fall Scholarships

The White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc. (WCSPSF) recently awarded 22 scholarships at its Fall 2012 Scholar/Donor Reception. The 22 scholarships, with a value of $13,687.50, bring the total scholarships for 2012 to 42 with a value of 27,687.50. Since its inception in 1999, WCSPSF has awarded 288 scholarships with a value of $196,762.50.

The fall scholar/donor reception brings together the scholars, their families, and the donors for an evening of recognition, celebration, and thanksgiving. Each scholarship is named after its donor. The donor makes the presentation to his/her scholars, thus allowing the donor to meet the recepient of their particular scholarship and the scholar gets t the opportunity to meet and say thank you to the business or person who funded their particular scholarship. Dan Newsom, WCSPSF Executive Director, stated, “Our receptions are always the highlight of our year. It is a “win win” for everyone. Donors get an opportunity to meet their scholars, scholars get the opportunity to meet their donor, and the children of the scholars get to see their parent recognized for their achievement. We are attempting to provide hope through education. If we can assist a single parent obtain their post-secondary education, they will find a better job, make more money, be better able to support their children, and thus encourage their children to complete their education. There are 2000 single parent families in White County. Half of those families live in poverty. We are working to help them help themselves through education. This program benefits everyone!” One of the more interesting statistics is that the Single Parent Scholarship Fund has a school retention rate of 93%. The average school retention is around 40%. Newsom stated, “Our students are very motivated to succeed.”

The reception was held in the Student Center of ASU Searcy. 86 people were in attendance. Amy Daniels of Edward Jones, a single parent, gave the keynote presentation.

The scholars and donors are as follows:

United Way of White CountyScholars:

Crystal Coker

Tara Davis

Debra Elgen

Amber Garner

Trisha Jennings

Heather Langley

Jamie Lutz

Emily Satterfield

Eaton Corporation Scholars:

Christina Pinner (Summer)

Amanda Capshaw(Summer)

Sara Suttle

Viki Vinson

Hawley Family Foundation Scholars:

Chassidy Beltz(Summer)

Crystal Coker(Summer)

Debra Elgen(Summer)

Shana Honse

White County CommunityFoundation Scholars:

Haleigh Smalley

Christina Pinner

Bald Knob Rotary Club Scholar:

Leah Stevens

Searcy Civitan Club Scholar:

Crystal Taylor

Kirk Manor Memorial Scholars:

Chassidy Beltz

Amanda Capshaw

For more information about the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc., contact Executive Director Dan Newsom at 501-230-2414 or fabfour64@sbcglobal.net.