‘Night in Tuscany’ delivers education support
by August 28, 2011 12:15 pm 67 views
story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Almost 200 supporters of the Single Parent Scholarship Foundation enjoyed a night of Italian wine, food, and music on Saturday (Aug. 27) at the Fort Smith home of Dr. E. C. “Kit” Moulton III. Each ticket was $50 with benefits from the event supporting the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Crawford and Sebastian Counties.
SPSF board members greeted guests at the door with a glass of champagne as they were checked in. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served before dinner. Around 8 o’clock, the live auction began and had to be moved outside onto the lawn so everyone could hear the auctioneer. Items such as a two night three day trip at Dragonfly on the White River in a cabin, a little girls tea party, a dinner for 8 by Mercedes and Domingo Lopez, a train excursion, and more.
A painting by Ernest Fredericks (Fred Swedlun), a well known Arkansas artist, was also up for silent auction. The painting, valued at $6,000, was donated by Dr. Chris Ashworth.
Brittany Gary, a 2011 recipient of the single parent scholarship program, is in her senior year in college majoring in education. She plans on teaching high school English.
“I don’t think I would have been able to go to college without the help I’ve received. You just don’t realize how much every little bit helps out until you get it,” Gary said.
Gary, who has a three-year-old daughter, said she’s learned that “it’s okay to do what you like instead of a job you hate that pays more money.” She enjoyed helping others with their homework when she was in high school and so she decided to go into education as her major.
How do single parents get a scholarship? First, they must fill out an application, which is available at the SPSF website.
Also, recipients must be enrolled in a post-secondary program that will increase their income-earning potential. Students also go through a personal interview prior to each semester in which they apply. Board members and non-board members are recruited to interview the applicants.
Grants awarded differ based on whether recipients are full-time or part-time students. All recipients must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Grants are awarded in two installments; half at the beginning of the semester and half after midterm grades are submitted to confirm that the recipients are still enrolled and making progress.
Participants must reapply every semester for the grants. The money single parents receive goes directly to the single parents, male and female. The money can be used to remove any barrier to the recipient’s success whether it be childcare, groceries, utilities or rent. The recipients also receive encouragement from board members and community volunteers.
