EXETER — Wyoming Area Scholarship applications must be submitted to Mrs. Teddy Rabel by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7.
There will be no extension of that deadline.
A completed application is to be handed in for each scholarship for which Wyoming Area graduating seniors will apply. A complete application packet with all essays with the completed check list is to be handed to Mrs. Rabel also. A complete application packet includes the two-page application form, a letter of recommendation (can use college letters), a college acceptance letter and an activity resume along with the essay for each. Mrs. Rabel’s packet must also include all the essays for all scholarships applied for.
A transcript will be attached for the donors.
A scholarship information night was held in November for parents and seniors explaining the application process and reviewing all the awards available to the seniors.
The senior English classes were also informed during a program in December emphasizing the process.
Interested Wyoming area graduating seniors and their parents are strongly encouraged to visit the school website to see all the necessary information for this program. Very specific information is included on the website.
Since the inception of this program 10 years ago, approximately 68 new scholarships have been added to the already existing awards.
There are approximately 82 awards offered through this program.
At the celebration last year, 62 seniors were awarded scholarships. There were 84 applicants and 700 plus-applications submitted. Several of the recipients were also awarded scholarships from those offered through the Luzerne Foundation. Be sure to check their website from time to time or visit the guidance office for information.
There are scholarships for a variety of interests and achievement levels. There are several scholarships that will consider any major and many are not limiting the awards to those students who plan to attend a four-year college or university. More are now including trade, technical, community and two and four year schools.
Each scholarship has its own selection committee which selects recipients.
The eight new scholarships added this year are the Lt. Adam Kalmanowicz Post 833 Exeter American Legion Scholarship, the Larinda Kaufer Family Scholarship, the Donald Fetsko Memorial Scholarship, the Marc E. Minichello Memorial Scholarship, the James Oliveri Memorial Scholarship, the M. Elaine Panzitta Memorial Scholarship, the Amanda Josephine Weed Memorial Scholarship and the Wyoming Area Class of 2017 Gives Back Scholarship.
There is also another scholarship pending at this time.
Seniors are reminded that, in addition to their academic record and resume, the scholarship essay is an integral part of the selection process. Much planning and thought should be given to the essay submitted for each of the scholarships. The descriptions found online for each scholarship give a detailed synopsis for each award. These should be carefully reviewed before beginning the essay part of the application. Seniors are further reminded that some of the scholarships ask for a recommendation from a specific subject teacher or more than one recommendation. Because of the strength of the applicant pool, often more than one recipient is selected and several donors continue to increase their awards.
In addition, any senior who has signed up to join the military has only to hand in their official commitment papers to Mrs. Rabel to be considered for a monetary award from the following American Legions: The West Pittston American Legion, The West Wyoming American Legion and, added this year, the Exeter American Legion. Each graduating senior who does this is assured of receiving at least one monetary award. Some of these seniors may be awarded more than one, depending on the criteria of the different American Legions mentioned here. They all have their own specific criteria.
Mrs. Rabel, Mrs. Juel Anne Klepadlo and Mrs. Rosella Fedor are available to answer any concerns seniors and/or their parents may have regarding this program
The ninth annual Scholarship Celebration will be held on Thursday, May 24 in the school gym. Invitations will be issued in April.
