>>Valley Patriot>> |
Eighty-five years ago a small group of women, looking to arouse an interest in college work and to provide scholarships to students in the Greater Lawrence area, as well as promote sociability among college educated women, formed the College Club of Greater Lawrence. Hundreds of local students have benefited from the benevolence of this club. In the past the club
has worked hard by holding bake sales and various other
fund raisers to provide several $50 scholarships. In
1942, a $100 scholarship was awarded to Miss Georgia
McHugh who graduated Salutatorian from Searles High
School in Methuen. She went on to the University of
Massachusetts and then became an executive at
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in
California. She died a millionaire at age 63. To
demonstrate her appreciation of the club’s
generosity, she bequeathed a sum of money to the College
Club of Greater Lawrence to be used specifically for
scholarships. With wise investments of those funds, the
club’s ability to promote college work and provide
scholarships has increased over time. With fluctuations in the market, the awards have varied. Several years ago, twenty-two $2000 scholarships were awarded to worthy students. Last year, fifteen $1000 scholarships were won by local students. This year the club will award fourteen $1500 scholarships. Fifty-eight completed applications were received for review from eight schools: Andover High School, Central Catholic High School, Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical High School, Lawrence High School, Methuen High School, Nashoba Valley Technical High School, North Andover High School, and Presentation of Mary Academy. The process begins with the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteer club members. Applications are sent to local guidance departments. Once the application is completed, and after several readings, the scholarship committee meets to decide the winners. Students are judged based on academic excellence, leadership, community service and financial need. They must also write an essay on their career and personal goals. Students who will be enrolled in a four–year, degree-granting program and are residents of Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, or North Andover are eligible to apply. Winners are acknowledged at a yearly dinner. Where else would you be able to enjoy the company of college educated women and help students continue their education with minimal commitment? Members meet only five times a year. The meetings are anything but boring. Recent programs have included motivational speakers, area politicians, published authors, professional and student musicians, and an interior designer. Members include educators, local business women, stay-at-home mothers, recent graduates, and retirees. How much does all this fun cost, you might ask? The annual dues are only $20 and each meeting that you attend is only $5 for which you receive dessert and coffee. The annual dinner is an additional $25 if you choose to attend. Having been at many of these dinners, I can tell you that the scholarship winners show the promise of a bright future. The students have expressed interests in career paths as varied as pediatric thoracic surgeons, National Geographic photojournalists, and educators. Their academic accomplishments are impressive and their hard work is evident. President of the club, Jane Shawcross of Methuen, says, “One of my goals is to promote the club and increase membership.” She may be reached at (978) 794-8681.
*Send your questions
comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com |
Are
you aware that there is an eighty-five year old club in
the Valley that has money to give away? Are you a female
graduate of a four-year college and interested in helping
to give that money away? If either of these ideas
intrigues you, then you are a perfect candidate for
membership in the College Club of Greater Lawrence.
