New Start Regional Scholarship News
On Thursday, November 11, 2010, The Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College Foundation invited co-chairs of the Womansong New Start Program to a celebratory luncheon honoring the Foundation's scholarship sponsors and the 2010-2011 scholarship recipients.
Nita Walker attended as co-chair of the New Start Program with recipient Katonya Owens. Katonya is enrolled in the Automotive Systems Technology and Heavy Equipment Transportation programs at AB Tech. She plans to obtain Associate degrees in both programs. Her future plans include opening her own automotive/heavy equipment services center.
Katonya's thank you note to Womansong reads, in part: "I became interested in automotive work as a child while helping my father around our home. I will use this education to go to work after completing my studies. I cannot fully express the gratitude I feel receiving this scholarship. My husband's disability does not allow him to work outside our home. This associates degree will offer a more stable financial future for my family. Thank you so very much"
Medical
Sonography student Lisa Konarske, in blue uniform, with members of
Womansong. Kornarske received the first Womansong 2009 New Start
Scholarship at A-B Tech.
Students were
recognized for receiving Foundation Scholarships for the 2009-10
academic year, including Lisa Konarske, a Medical Sonography student,
who was once a high school science and math teacher. About 18 years
ago, she developed type 1 diabetes and eventually had to resign
because stress aggravated her illness.
A treatment
Konarske received allowed her to be free of insulin injections for 2
1/2 years. "I enjoyed being a part of cutting-edge research.
This scholarship gives me the opportunity to work in the medical
field. I chose A-B Tech because of its outstanding program," she
said.
Konarske's
scholarship was made possible by a partnership between the Foundation
and Womansong of Asheville, a 75-member women's chorus.
In 1987,
Womansong created The New Start Program, a social services program
designed to help Western North Carolina women in transition make a
new start in their lives. The NSP fund is intended to "fill in
the gap" when other short-term funding options are not
available. Kornarske received the inaugural Womansong New Start
Scholarship.
Womansong's New Start Program helps women in transition make a new start in their lives by providing grants and scholarships. The NSP fund is intended to "fill in the gap" when other short-term funding options are not available. This one-time grant is available for the amount of need up to $500 per person. NSP grants typically provide needed support for a woman on her path toward greater self-sufficiency.