Second Award Given to Kentucky Woman from Christy Barlett ‘Women On Par®’ Fund
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., June 22, 2010 Established in 2008 by the EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association) Foundation, the ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship program provides financial assistance to nontraditional female students – women at least 30 years old. It targets women who need assistance in bolstering their education to allow them to get ‘on par’ with their peers and to advance themselves, whether professionally or personally.
The 2010 ‘Women On Par®’ winner is Marilyn Bunag of San Francisco, Calif., receiving a $1000 scholarship to continue her studies in sociology at San Francisco State University. A second, $500 scholarship from the Christy Bartlett Women On Par® Scholarship Fund was awarded to Carla Beu of Smiths Grove, KY starting her studies at Western Kentucky University in agriculture and horse science.
“Both of these women have remarkable stories and have persevered through so much. We are pleased to be able to assist them in pursuing their educational goals,” says Margaret Downey, president of the EWGA Foundation. “We had so many worthy candidates again this year demonstrating the need to help nontraditional “older” students and the importance of our scholarship endowment campaign. In future years, we want to be able to help more women get ‘on par’. ”
Bunag, a 38-year old single mother of four children, is a former drug addict and domestic violence survivor. Overcoming her addiction six years ago through California rehab and community services programs, she has earned her GED and an associate degree with highest honors at City College of San Francisco. She now is transferring to earn a bachelor degree in sociology and eventually a master’s degree in social work with the goal to serve the lower income and underrepresented communities in the Bay area.
“I am proud of what I have accomplished and overcome, and want to be an example and inspiration to others,” says Bunag who has been actively involved with the Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship since 2005 and now serves as a sponsor for others. “Today, I am a woman making productive positive choices in life and living to my full potential. I have been granted a second chance and I am making the most of it.”
The second 2010 ‘Women On Par®’ recipient is Carla Beu. She and her husband Gary operated Windsong Farm, Alaska’s only licensed cheese maker, until 2007 when ongoing financial pressures forced the couple to sell in foreclosure. While working on the farm, Carla also worked at the Alaska State Fair and became the manager of its equestrian center. Now living in Kentucky, the couple work on a horse farm and Carla wants to earn her degree to have the credentials for greater employment opportunities in her field.
“I have a passion for healthy animals. The cheese making was my husband’s dream and now I am pursuing mine, “says the 41 year old Beu. “Without a degree, my life experiences won’t get me the higher level positions in equine agriculture. I encourage other women to pursue their education, but the motivation must come from within. Do it for yourself, whether to earn more or self knowledge.”
The first ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship winner, Jean Bolger of Lehigh, Fla. graduated cum laude from Edison College in May 2009. Last year’s recipient, Angie Hagler, Danville, Ind. is currently taking summer classes, staying on the Dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA, pursuing her accounting degree at Ivy Tech Community College while working full time.
EWGA membership is not a requirement to apply or receive a ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship. Applicants are required to be pursuing a technical/vocational degree, associates or bachelor’s degree and currently enrolled or accepted to enroll in an accredited school, college or university. Applications for 2011 will be available in January. For complete eligibility requirements, see the EWGA Foundation tab under ‘Learn More About EWGA’ at www.ewga.com .
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the EWGA Foundation’s Women On Par® scholarship fund may contact the foundation at (561) 691-0096 x 19 or visit ewga.com and click on Learn More About EWGA.
The EWGA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization formed and supported by the Executive Women’s Golf Association. Its mission is to create and fund education and leadership programs for women of all ages. Other initiatives include the development of a golf education curriculum, Drive for Dreams outreach program to ‘give the gift of golf’ and an LPGA-USGA Girls Golf charity fundraiser. Over the past seven years, EWGA chapters and the EWGA Foundation have donated over $400,000 to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, making the EWGA one of the largest single contributors to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, aside from the USGA.
Since it was founded in 1991 as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the EWGA has enriched the lives of over 100,000 women connecting them to learn, play, and enjoy golf for business and for fun. EWGA chapters provide a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers. A welcoming environment, golf education and player development, and organized play programs are part of the many benefits of EWGA membership.
The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. There are currently over 125 chapters throughout the United States with international chapters in Canada. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit www.ewga.com.
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Niehoff Marketing Associates
561-868-0297
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