ANNOUNCING ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF WICHITA
2020 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!
ALW wishes to announce and celebrate graduating USD 259 seniors, who are hard-working youth eager to continue their preparation for critically-needed jobs.
ALW Scholarships were awarded to 15 Wichita Public Schools graduates for their first year of study at Butler Community College or WSU Tech.
In addition, 8 students from the 2019 awardees received second-year scholarships to complete their course of study.
THE NANCY COCHENER SCHOLAR: Sofia Cazarez-Gonzalez, Southeast High School, was named the recipient of the scholarship provided by long-time ALW member Nancy Cochener. Sofia will attend Butler Community College to prepare for a career in Healthcare Administration & Management.
These outstanding students seek to obtain an AA degree and/or certification in these challenging programs that will launch them into their chosen fields at the conclusion of their two-year programs.
Many of these youth plan to start classes in Summer 2020.
Thank you for your support of Assistance League of Wichita to make these annual scholarships possible.
We began the Assistance League of Wichita Scholarship program in 1988 for students attending WATC, Wichita Area Technical College, and awarded 4 scholarships. The program has evolved into what it is today which is a unique scholarship because it targets students with financial need who are graduating from the Wichita Public School seeking Vocational/Technical certification. These students were required to attend either WATC or Butler County Community College (BCCC). The intent was they would graduate with a degree/certification enabling them to join the work force. Later, the mentor program was added which pairs each student with an ALW mentor who guides and supports the student throughout the year. Most of these students are the first in their family to seek a post secondary education.
Since its inception, we have helped 293 area high school students pursue their dreams.
In 2016, we began offering a second year of education to those students successfully completing the first year. The first year mentor stays in place. Over time, in many instances a true friendship develops between the mentor and mentee.
In 2017-18, WATC formed a new partnership with Wichita State University becoming WSUTech. This year donations from local foundations and contributions from Assistance League members enabled us to award over 20 scholarships. Each student received funding for tuition, fees and books. Most recently we awarded 15 scholarships. Over time, while our budget for scholarships has increased so has the cost of an education.
Sixteen USD 259 graduating seniors, who demonstrated significant financial need, received 1st year scholarships for technical/vocational programs at WSU Tech and Butler Community College. In addition, 7 recipients were awarded 2nd year scholarships to complete their certification programs. We welcome these youth into our local work force as nurses, dental assistants, auto and aviation mechanics, firefighters and police, IT specialists and more. Each scholarship student is mentored by an ALW member throughout their college years.
ALW encourages Wichita high school graduates to dare to dream! In April 2018 24 1st and 2nd year scholarships were awarded for vocational programs at WSU Tech and Butler Community College.
If you or your organization would like to support our programs, please contact us at info@alwichita.org.