Prom Wishes Scholarship Program Announces $5,000 Scholarship Winner and Ten $1000 Runners-Up
The Prom Wishes scholarship asked high school seniors to write their wish for a better tomorrow, how they are helping make a difference in their communities. One student has been presented a $5000 scholarship while 10 others have received $1000 each.
South Whitley, IN, June 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Prom Wishes has announced the winners of this year’s Wish for a Better Tomorrow scholarship program. The program seeks to honor high school seniors for their outstanding achievements in serving their school or local communities.
This year’s $5000 scholarship winner is Matthew Capeletti of Davie, FL. Capeletti created TutorChatLive.org, a nonprofit, free online tutoring service in September 2007. With a team of volunteers from around the country, the site makes homework help available online daily to students who need tutoring.
In his scholarship essay, Matthew wrote: “We want to promote the individual student and make sure that they are succeeding not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom in supportive educational opportunities such as tutoring. This organization offers that much needed support free of charge, giving a great sigh of relief to students and parents alike who know that clarification is needed in order to gain a proper understanding.”
Matthew’s school and organization will each receive a $1,000 gift certificate to use at Prom Wishes.
The scholarship program also recognized 10 runners-up, who received $1000 scholarships each as well as $150 Prom Wishes gift certificates for their schools and organizations. Winners include:
Lauren Anselmo (San Diego, CA) who ran a Color Drive collecting crayons, coloring books and markers for children in an orphanage
Nichole Young (Huntingburg, IN), founder of Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center
Alexandria Rappazzo (Castleton, NY), founder of “Students for Literacy” an illiteracy awareness program
Noel Rizzuti (Lexington, SC), who created Servants With A Testimony (S.W.A.T.), a program aimed at spreading community service
Alycia Adkins (Elkmills, MD), who built a “Living Wall” at her school and ran an eco-phone drive and fundraiser
Mira Brown (Ventura, CA) who raised money for HandCrafting Justice in addition to collecting paper tubing for the L.A. Zoo
Luv Bartlett (Ozark, AL), founder of a cheerleading program at the Boys and Girls Club
Alexander Muir (Renton, WA) who built a 100 seat amphitheater and fire pit for Camp Sambica as an Eagle Scout project.
The scholarship committee was impressed not only with the sheer number of applicants but also the achievements of many of the students.
“We received well over 5,000 entries,” said Jacquie Downey, director of Prom Wishes. “It was difficult to narrow it down to 11 winners. We were extremely impressed with Matthew and how he used his talents in a unique and creative way to touch so many in his community.”
The program required applicants to write an essay entitled, “Wish for a Better Tomorrow: How can I improve the local community?” A total of 11 finalists (one receiving a $5,000 scholarship and 10 each receiving a $1,000 scholarship) were chosen on the basis of scholastics, community involvement, club participation, leadership, and volunteer work.
“I’m amazed at what some kids are accomplishing these days,” said Downey. “So often we hear only bad news about teenagers, but reading the essays was an absolute thrill and reinforced that teenagers do a lot of good in their communities.”
Prom Wishes is a prom and party supply catalog and a member of the ShindigZ by Stumps family of brands located in South Whitley, Ind. Since 1926, ShindigZ by Stumps has been America's leading supplier of prom and party supplies. With more than 38,000 products, eight different catalogs, and 10 distinct websites, ShindigZ by Stumps provides customers with the complete party solution. For more information about Prom Wishes and its parent company, ShindigZ by Stumps, go to www.stumpsparty.com. To visit the Prom Wishes website, go to www.promwishescatalog.com.
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This year’s $5000 scholarship winner is Matthew Capeletti of Davie, FL. Capeletti created TutorChatLive.org, a nonprofit, free online tutoring service in September 2007. With a team of volunteers from around the country, the site makes homework help available online daily to students who need tutoring.
In his scholarship essay, Matthew wrote: “We want to promote the individual student and make sure that they are succeeding not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom in supportive educational opportunities such as tutoring. This organization offers that much needed support free of charge, giving a great sigh of relief to students and parents alike who know that clarification is needed in order to gain a proper understanding.”
Matthew’s school and organization will each receive a $1,000 gift certificate to use at Prom Wishes.
The scholarship program also recognized 10 runners-up, who received $1000 scholarships each as well as $150 Prom Wishes gift certificates for their schools and organizations. Winners include:
Lauren Anselmo (San Diego, CA) who ran a Color Drive collecting crayons, coloring books and markers for children in an orphanage
Nichole Young (Huntingburg, IN), founder of Freedom Reins Therapeutic Riding Center
Alexandria Rappazzo (Castleton, NY), founder of “Students for Literacy” an illiteracy awareness program
Noel Rizzuti (Lexington, SC), who created Servants With A Testimony (S.W.A.T.), a program aimed at spreading community service
Alycia Adkins (Elkmills, MD), who built a “Living Wall” at her school and ran an eco-phone drive and fundraiser
Mira Brown (Ventura, CA) who raised money for HandCrafting Justice in addition to collecting paper tubing for the L.A. Zoo
Luv Bartlett (Ozark, AL), founder of a cheerleading program at the Boys and Girls Club
Alexander Muir (Renton, WA) who built a 100 seat amphitheater and fire pit for Camp Sambica as an Eagle Scout project.
The scholarship committee was impressed not only with the sheer number of applicants but also the achievements of many of the students.
“We received well over 5,000 entries,” said Jacquie Downey, director of Prom Wishes. “It was difficult to narrow it down to 11 winners. We were extremely impressed with Matthew and how he used his talents in a unique and creative way to touch so many in his community.”
The program required applicants to write an essay entitled, “Wish for a Better Tomorrow: How can I improve the local community?” A total of 11 finalists (one receiving a $5,000 scholarship and 10 each receiving a $1,000 scholarship) were chosen on the basis of scholastics, community involvement, club participation, leadership, and volunteer work.
“I’m amazed at what some kids are accomplishing these days,” said Downey. “So often we hear only bad news about teenagers, but reading the essays was an absolute thrill and reinforced that teenagers do a lot of good in their communities.”
Prom Wishes is a prom and party supply catalog and a member of the ShindigZ by Stumps family of brands located in South Whitley, Ind. Since 1926, ShindigZ by Stumps has been America's leading supplier of prom and party supplies. With more than 38,000 products, eight different catalogs, and 10 distinct websites, ShindigZ by Stumps provides customers with the complete party solution. For more information about Prom Wishes and its parent company, ShindigZ by Stumps, go to www.stumpsparty.com. To visit the Prom Wishes website, go to www.promwishescatalog.com.
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Contact
Prom Wishes
Jacquie Downey
260-723-5171 x 1390
www.promwishescatalog.com
Jacquie Downey
260-723-5171 x 1390
www.promwishescatalog.com
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