Masonic Village Awards Scholarships to Local Teen Volunteers
2010 scholarship recipients: back row (l-r) Chelsea Nasatka and Ellen Schmehl, and front row (l-r) Kim Arntz, McKenna Snyder and Shea Mascia For the 14th consecutive year, Masonic Village awarded $2,500 volunteer scholarships to five Elizabethtown Area High School seniors at the school's Senior Awards Program on May 17. An additional scholarship was given to an Elizabethtown College student.
The high school scholarship recipients were:
Kimberly Arntz, who will attend Slippery Rock University to prepare for a career in business management;
Shea Mascia, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh where she will study foreign languages;
Chelsea Nasatka, who will attend YTI Career Institute to prepare for a career in massage/physical therapy;
Ellen Schmehl, who will attend Cedarville University to prepare for a career in psychology or education; and
McKenna Snyder, who will attend Lebanon Valley College to prepare for a career in secondary education. McKenna is the recipient of the Kaitlyn Elizabeth Dalton Memorial Scholarship which is given to a graduating senior volunteer who, in addition to completing all of the regular scholarship requirements, also best exemplifies Kaitlyn's generosity, selflessness and well-rounded skill sets. Kaitlyn's parents, Kathy and Rob Dalton, helped to select this year's recipient and attended the ceremony to present it.
As part of its commitment to present an annual scholarship to a volunteer who will attend, or is currently studying at, Elizabethtown College, Masonic Village awarded a $2,500 scholarship to Michael A. Fritchman, a college freshman who is preparing for a career in accounting. A graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School, Michael also received a $2,500 scholarship in 2009 for his volunteer services.
Candidates for the Masonic Village scholarships must be members of the current (or previous) graduating class of Elizabethtown Area High School and have a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service at the Masonic Village during their high school years.
The Elizabethtown Area High School scholarship recipients were selected by a committee of high school guidance counselors and Cynthia B. Hollinger, director, volunteer services, at the Masonic Village, with consideration of the applicants' scholarship; extracurricular activities and interests; awards, honors or recognitions received for achievements; counselor evaluations; leadership contributions; an original 250-word essay describing the benefits of their volunteer efforts at the Masonic Village; and a written reference from a Masonic Village's staff person with whom they interacted during their volunteer experience.
According to Joseph E. Murphy, chief executive officer for the Masonic Village, the facility's Youth Volunteer Program was established to provide teenagers with an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the residents, while simultaneously benefiting from valuable life experience and personal satisfaction.
"The residents enjoy the upbeat spirit and energy the youth exude, and in turn the youth enjoy the relationships they build with the residents and skills they learn, which often lead them on a future career path. Compassion is shared equally between both parties. Our volunteers' contribution to the Masonic Village's Mission of Love is priceless and we are proud to recognize and reward them for their services," Murphy said.
Hollinger said, "Our teen volunteers enjoy the opportunity to serve others. They form new friendships with other volunteers, residents and staff while gaining insight on career opportunities in a modern health care facility. By the end of the summer, they often find their sense of responsibility and interpersonal skills have naturally grown and they are eager to sign up for next year!"
Masonic Village volunteers must be 13 years of age or older and have passing grades in all major subjects. Applicants must provide one written reference and schedule a personal interview with Hollinger. Volunteers are asked to commit to a regularly scheduled weekly assignment and provide their own transportation. Additional volunteer benefits include a complimentary meal on the day of the service, a polo shirt with logo and a complimentary pass for the outdoor pool for the entire summer. New volunteers are required to attend an all-day orientation on June 14.
Those interested in volunteering at the Masonic Village are encouraged to call (717) 367-1121, extension 33175, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. More information about our volunteer opportunities may be found here.
For more information, please contact:
Debra L. Davis
Public Relations Coordinator
(717) 367-1121, ext. 33529
ddavis@masonicvillagespa.org
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