Since funds for the scholars fund are donated by the residents, a team of 14 residents developed a scholarship fund committee to help raise money.
“This committee really took ownership of this program,” says Susan. “To kickoff the campaign they dressed up in caps and gowns, like graduating students, and handed out apples all over campus. It was very creative and people had so much fun. The group rolled up donation letters like they were diplomas.”
A Scholarly Show
The committee also put on a student talent show, directed by residents
Pat McGlynn and
Sandy Kovacs that raised $3,000.
The community’s television studio also interviewed each student, so residents could learn more about them and discover what they wanted to do with their lives.
“This is such a unique community with residents who really care about young people. And the students care as well. Many of them leave for college and come back and work between semesters,” says Susan. “There’s a real attachment here.”
Lauren Flowers concurs. A student employee who thanked the residents and staff on behalf of all of the 2006 scholarship recipients at the August ceremony, she will be studying communications at NYU this fall.
“I worked in the television studio at Ann’s Choice and it was a tremendous learning experience just getting to know all these wonderful residents,” says Lauren. “I’m overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity. The things I learned from them will stay with me for a long time.”
Lauren, who hopes to someday work in movies or television, “behind the scenes, I think” will continue her relationship with residents by writing an article every semester about her experiences in college— to be shared with the people at Ann’s Choice.
Influencing Generations
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” says
Bernice Wilson about the scholarships, who along with her husband, Paul, were just some of the contributors to the Scholars Fund Awards and on the scholarship committee. “We’re for anything we can do to help young people fulfill their dreams. Whether that’s inspiring them to become teachers or anything they wish to be.”
It’s not surprising that Bernice has a strong affinity for teachers. She was a teacher for 20 years and her husband, Paul, was a teacher, principal, and college instructor for more than 40 years. At the ceremony, in fact, Paul, spoke of the impact that education made in the life of one of his former students, Elaine Scott, who is now an author of children’s books.
“I told the students that you may never know it, but you must believe that you can make a difference in whatever you choose to do with your life,” Paul says. “I was an elementary school teacher at Overlook School in Abington in 1949 and taught this young lady, Elaine, in fifth and sixth grades. She was a very good student and wrote this poem about two snowmen. I submitted it to the school newspaper and people loved it so much, I sent it to the Philadelphia Inquirer and it won an award. It wasn’t until 50 years later that I discovered that this fantastic child writer had become a successful author.”
The best part was that after 50 years, Scott told her former teacher that it was because of his teaching methods of how to tell a story that inspired her to become a writer.
“I thought the students should know that you never know when you’re going to influence someone’s life,” Paul says.
And with that speech Paul and other residents continue to influence another generation of young people.
Ann’s Choice is the kind of place that allows you to do whatever you want—even if that includes a little volunteering or philanthropy.