10 veterans, representing five different colleges, awarded $500 each
BBB of Central New England has announced 10 winners of $500 scholarships in its annual Veterans Textbook Scholarship program, sponsored by the Consumer Education Foundation.
The 10 veterans, representing five different colleges are: Ashley Gerstel, of Quinsigamond Community College; Krissa Fondakowski and Dillon Nash, of Holyoke Community College; Paetron Sumlin and Allan Cangelosi, of Springfield Technical Community College; Chloe DiMarzio, of Worcester State University; and Crystal Ostaff, Isabella Di Lorenzo, Maricely Fuentes Lasanta and Eric Swanson of Westfield State University.
To be eligible to enter for a $500 textbook scholarship, students were asked this fall to test their Digital IQ with a consumer quiz and subscribe to BBB of Central New England’s consumer newsletter. They must also be currently attending a college or university located in the BBB of Central New England service area of Central and Western Massachusetts and Northeastern Connecticut.
“I’m a recruiter for the Army National Guard,” said scholarship recipient Crystal Ostaff, of Worcester State University “I can tell people about this opportunity (from BBB) when I'm recruiting.”
“I’m glad that I have this opportunity from BBB,” said recipient Paetron Sumlin, of Sringfield Technical Community College. He added that it helps “address stress financially.”
“These scholarships help veteran and military service members with an immediate need, covering a portion of their college costs,” said Nancy B. Cahalen, president and CEO of BBB of Central New England. “Students often get financial aid, but those funds don't cover textbooks. This scholarship will help cover those costs."
Scholarship recipient Isabella Di Lorenzo summed it up. “Anything can help when it comes to things you need for school. It’s so awesome that (BBB’s Consumer Education Foundation) offers this.”