Second Award Given to Chicago Woman from Christy Barlett ‘Women On Par®’ Fund
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., July 27, 2011 — Angela Traynor of Annapolis, Maryland is the 2011 recipient of the EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association) Foundation’s ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship, receiving $1000 to continue her studies at the University of Baltimore. A second, $500 scholarship from the Christy Bartlett Women On Par® Scholarship Fund was awarded to Kristine Deckinga of Chicago toward her studies in Biology and Genetics at DePaul University.
“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’. ”
Four years ago, Angela Traynor made the choice to change her life. After 30 years of addiction, domestic violence and a brief incarceration, she entered The Hope House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Crownsville, MD. Known as Angel, she now serves on their board of Alumni and as the president for the last 18 months.
Her journey has included earning her GED and enrolling in Anne Arundel Community College where she has excelled in her studies on Addictions to become a LCPC-CAC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor- Concentration in Addictions Counseling) and been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honors society.
“Take a hold of your dream and don’t let go. Anything is possible, especially with an education,” advised 48 year-old Traynor. She will complete her associate degree in the fall semester and then attend the University of Baltimore to earn a degree in human services and administration. There is no doubt that she will achieve her dream to be the director of a treatment center.
The second 2011 ‘Women On Par®’ recipient is 30-year-old Kristine Deckinga who earned an Associates of Science in Biology degree from Harold Washington City College in Chicago in May. A first generation college student she is enrolled at DePaul University’s new College of Science and Health in its Biosciences and Lab Investigations program.
“My deepest thanks to the EWGA Foundation, I am honored to be chosen,” said Deckinga, who works three jobs and looks forward to graduating in 2013. “My career goal is to manage a lab where I can use sequencing technologies to research genes and how toxins in the environment contribute to cellular changes. I look forward to being able to give back and help others as the EWGA is helping me.”
Established in 2008 by the EWGA 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.
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 2012 will be available in January. For complete eligibility requirements, see the EWGA Foundation tab 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 FOUNDATION.
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 eight years, EWGA chapters and the EWGA Foundation have donated over $450,000 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 welcomed over 100,000 women into the game of golf, 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 with chapters throughout the United States and international chapters in Canada. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit www.ewga.com.
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