BPW announces scholarship recipient

Staff
Posted 11/9/17

MENDOTA - This fall, the Mendota Business and Professional Women was able to present a Mendota woman with a $500 scholarship, which will be used to help complete her education.

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BPW announces scholarship recipient

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Samantha Bowne, right, accepts a BPW scholarship from Jeri Atherton, BPW president. (Photo contributed)

MENDOTA - This fall, the Mendota Business and Professional Women was able to present a Mendota woman with a $500 scholarship, which will be used to help complete her education. The recipient, Samantha Bowne, is attending Illinois Valley Community College, where she is pursuing an Associate’s degree, focused on elementary education.

After completing her Associate’s degree, Bowne plans to attend Northern Illinois University to earn a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. “My goal in life is to become a 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade teacher,” she explained in her scholarship application. 

In addition to being a mother, working at the Rt. 52 Roadhouse Pizzeria, and attending IVCC, she and her husband also teach Sunday school at Crossbridge Community Church for 2nd grade and preschool students. 

“I have selected to teach Sunday school because I have attended Crossbridge for about 10 years, and I am extremely excited to teach children the word of God and what it means to be a Christian,” Samantha explained. “I have a curriculum to follow, but I am also able to incorporate my own ideas! I think it’s a great opportunity for me to gain some experience with teaching and guiding children.”

As part of her application, Bowne was asked to describe a woman whom she admires, and she wrote about her mother.

“A woman whom I admire is my mother. She may not be a historical figure or a woman leader, but she has shown me what it means to be a powerful, independent woman. My mom is a single mom who raised three daughters on her own…and has done whatever it took to make sure we had what we need to succeed in life,” she stated as she credited her mother with the determination to accomplish whatever she needs to do.

As part of the BPW’s goals, the organization is “Women helping Women.” To do this, the club has monthly meetings and regular fundraisers. In 2017, the club gave out $2,000 in scholarships to high school girls and $500 to Samantha Bowne as the “woman returning to school.” Anyone wanting further information can check the Facebook page of Mendota Business and Professional Women or contact president Jeri Atherton at athertonrj@comcast.net or any officer or member.