The binary code of computer language that has been the driving force behind most emerging technology in the 21st century consists of a combination of 1s and 0s.

Bob Torras may be an old school engineer, but he speaks the language. The St. Simons Island resident made a powerful statement Wednesday on behalf of the advancement of such technology, using a single 1 and six 0s. These were the essential features on the $1 million check he presented to his alma mater, Georgia Tech.

The money establishes a scholarship fund at Georgia Tech for deserving local high school graduates who otherwise would not be able to attend the highly-respected engineering and technology school. The check was presented during an informal luncheon at the Lodge at Sea Island on St. Simons Island.

Torras, 85, recently retired as head of a vast family operation that includes the Brunswick Landing Marina, the Kut Kwick commercial mower manufacturer in Brunswick, Torco Inc. manufacturer in Kennesaw and the West Point Plantation community on St. Simons Island. Torras said he hopes the scholarship will inspire bright technologically-minded men and women here in Glynn County to aspire to their dreams, regardless of financial circumstances.

"Technology is the future for all young people if they want to emerge from the crowd," said Torras, the son of the man who built the original F.J. Torras Causeway that connects St. Simons Island to the mainland. "With this scholarship, they will have the opportunity to go to one of the best technological schools in the country. I think if they start at a very young age, knowing that they have that opportunity, then perhaps their parents will help encourage them to strive for that goal, knowing these scholarships are available."

The Robert M. Torras Sr. Scholarship Endowment Fund of the Georgia Tech Foundation will present its first scholarship to a graduate of a Glynn County high school next year. The foundation will add a second recipient in 2021 and add an additional student over the subsequent two years, until four local scholarships are granted annually, according to the terms of the endowment.

The Torras scholarships will provide students with the financial circumstances they lack to apply the academic merits they possess, realizing their dreams in the classrooms at Georgia Tech. The scholarships would potentially cover the entire costs of acquiring a four-year bachelor's degree. In an earlier conversation with The News, Torras referred to deserving students of Brunswick High and Glynn Academy as the ideal recipients, but the scholarships are eligible also for private school graduates in Glynn County who qualify academically and demonstrate a financial need.

"This is just a game-changer for coastal Georgia," said John B. Byrne Jr., Director of Development at Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business. "What we see often is a lot of students around the state have an ability to get into Georgia Tech but are limited by the family's resources. This is the type of scholarship that changes the game for a lot of people. It really is just extraordinarily generous."

With a nationwide emphasis on encouraging youngsters to excel in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, scholarships such as this provide further incentive to pursue these fields, said Maryam Alavi, Dean and Professor of Information Systems at tech's Scheller College.

"Technology is playing a major role in the way we create value, in the way we operate businesses," she said. "It is really important that the future business movers, in addition to leadership and business acumen, are also tech savvy. This is a wonderful way to be able to afford that opportunity without letting the ability to pay get in the way."

Himself a graduate of Glynn Academy, Torras went on to earn an engineering degree from Georgia Tech in 1955. After a stint as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Torras returned to Georgia Tech to pursue his master's degree. He then bought a struggling manufacturing company in Kennesaw, building up Torco Inc. into Georgia's leading producer of precision machine parts. Still later, he returned home to operate Kut Kwick and develop the Brunswick Landing Marina into the state's largest saltwater marina.

Torras hopes a future recipient of his scholarship would likewise return to this community and invest his or her talents locally.

"I hope that it will get these young people to use all of their ability to its utmost potential," he said. "I think it is of tremendous importance to this community to give this opportunity to young people who are not affluent, but who have the skills and the vision we need for the future."

Fort Atkinson High School seniors received more than $1.2 million in scholarships during the annual senior recognition and awards program Wednesday night.

A total of 73 seniors obtained scholarships totaling $1,239,362 including $412,736 from local sources and $826,626 from non-local contributors.

Most local and non-local scholarships are paid over a number of years. For the recipient to receive the entire amount, he or she must fulfill certain criteria throughout his or her college years, such as maintaining a specified gradepoint average, remaining in a specific academic program and/or reapplying for the award.

The following outlines all senior scholarships of which school officials were aware.

Leading recipients in overall dollars, Nolan Heussner picked up a total of $136,000 in scholarships Wednesday night.

The son of Ben and Trina Heussner, he plans to study music with a jazz performance emphasis at the Eastman School of Music in New York.

Heussner earned an $112,000 Eastman School of Music Artist Scholarship, a $16,000 Eastman School of Music McLaughlin Scholarship, and an $8,000 Stuart and Gladys Anhalt Memorial Scholarship.

Awards totaling $129,126 were presented to Martina Walling.

The daughter of Marty and Linda Walling, she earned a $78,426 University of Mississippi Academic Non-Resident Scholarship, $30,000 University of Mississippi Academic Merit Scholarship, $12,000 Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation Scholarship, $3,000 Francis F. Carnes Scholarship, $2,000 Fort Atkinson Community Credit Union Scholarship, $2,000 Jordan Arnold Vogel Memorial Scholarship, $1,500 Summer Charity Concert Series Scholarship and $200 Elks MVS 2019 Scholarship.

She plans to attend the University of Mississippi and pursue the Early Entry Pharmacy program.

William Bethard earned scholarships totaling $108,000.

The son of Eric and Lisa Bethard, he plans to attend St. Norbert College in DePere and study physics.

He earned an $84,000 St. Norbert College Trustee Distinguished Scholarship. At the local level, he received a $12,000 Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation Scholarship, $4,000 Jerome Hake Engineering Scholarship, $3,500 Jason Dahnert Memorial Scholarship, $2,000 Robert G. Handeyside Scholarship-Fort HealthCare, a $1,500 Edward G. Wolff Memorial Scholarship and a $1,000 Ed Karrels Advanced Placement Computer Science Scholarship.

Nash Christian, the son of Brian and Amy Christian, netted a total of $98,500.

Christian plans to attend Central College in Iowa to triple major in History, German and International Politics.

He earned an $84,000 Central College Presidential Scholarship, $6,000 Central College German Scholarship, $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $1,500 Central College Trustee Scholarship, $1,000 Central College Journey Scholarship and a $1,000 Summer Charity Concert Series Scholarship.

Olivia Krapfl, the daughter of Jason and Carolyn Krapfl, was awarded scholarships totaling $92,000. She plans to attend Luther College in Iowa. Her course of study is as yet undecided.

She garnered an $80,000 Luther College Dean's Scholarship, $8,000 Luther College Heartland Award Scholarship and a $4,000 Luther College Alumni Referral Scholarship.

Madison Hawkins, daughter of Dan and Lisa Hawkins, was presented a total of $72,250 in scholarships.

She plans to attend Carroll University to study nursing.

She garnered a $72,000 Charles Carroll Scholarship and a $250 Jefferson County 4-H Scholarship.

Dayne Sebranek, who plans to attend Quincy University in Illinois to study sports management, netted a total of $63,500 in scholarships.

The son of Ron and Dawn Sebranek, he picked up a $62,000 Quincy University LaVerna Scholarship, $1,000 Quincy University Franciscan Service Scholarship and a $500 Fort Atkinson Generals-Baseball Scholarship.

Kourtney Huppert, daughter of Troy and Carol Huppert, earned a total of $61,250 in scholarships.

She plans to pursue media studies in TV/radio production at Loras College in Iowa.

She received a $56,000 Loras College Columbia Scholarship, $4,800 Loras College Leadership Scholarship and a $450 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship.

Kassidy Ruud, daughter of Ron and Laurel Ruud, netted a total of $38,000 in scholarships.

She plans to study computer science at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

She picked up a $22,000 Walter and Louise Buell Merit Scholarship, $9,000 Academic Excellence Award, $6,000 UW-Stout Chancellor's Scholarship and a $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship.

Audrey Shockman, daughter of Zachary and Carrie Shockman, received a $22,000 Walter and Louise Buell Merit Scholarship.

She plans to study conservation wildlife management at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Katherine Lescohier picked up a $20,000 Joe Davies Scholarship.

Abigail Kucken was awarded a total of $19,600 in honors, including a $5,000 UW-Platteville Provost Excellence Scholarship, $5,000 Ben and Ada Hake Agricultural Scholarship, $3,000 Summer Charity Concert Series Scholarship, $2,000 James and Frances Luther Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 UW-Platteville David Ward Agricultural Scholarship, $1,000 UW-Platteville Academic Merit Scholarship, $800 Robert Ward Memorial Scholarship, $650 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship, $500 Arthur Regelein Memorial Scholarship, $400 Arnold and Katherine Cordes Endowment State FFA Scholarship and a $250 Optimist Club Scholarship.

Corinne Stoutenborough collected $19,500 in scholarships, including a $12,000 Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation Scholarship, $6,000 Winona State University Presidential Honor Scholarship, $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship and a $500 Fort Atkinson General-Athletic Scholarship.

Aliyah Noh went home with five scholarships totaling $18,500 including an $8,000 UW-Whitewater Chancellor Scholar's Award, $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $3,000 Dr. Sydney Weidemann Memorial Scholarship, $1,500 Stella Heth Memorial-University Scholarship and a $1,000 Fred and Helen Rose Inspire-a-Dream Scholarship.

Laura Hametta tallied $17,000 in scholarships, including a $12,000 Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation Scholarship and a $5,000 UW-Madison Alumni Fort Atkinson Chapter/Pellegrin Scholarship.

Autumn Congdon picked up four scholarships totaling $16,750.

She received a $9,000 Academic Excellence Award, a $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $2,000 Robert G. Handeyside Scholarship-Fort HealthCare and a $750 Victor and Ruth Johnson Memorial Scholarship.

Kailyn Schueller was awarded a total of $16,000 in scholarships, including a $12,000 Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation Scholarship and a $4,000 Jerome Hake Engineering Scholarship.

Five scholarships totaling $15,250 were presented to Benjamin Nelson.

He received a $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $5,000 Make a Difference Scholarship, $3,000 Francis F. Carnes Scholarship, $2,000 UW-Madison Alumni Fort Atkinson Chapter/Pellegrin Scholarship and a $250 Eagle Scout and Gold Award Recognition Scholarship.

Jacquelyn Jensen went home with a total of $15,000 in scholarships.

She earned an $8,000 UW-Whitewater Chancellor Scholar's Award, $2,500 Ardell Wiederhoeft Legacy Scholarship, $2,000 Lueder Financial Group Scholarship, $1,500 Stella Heth Memorial-University Scholarship and a $1,000 Dr. James Russell-Athletic Scholarship.

Gabriel Lewis netted $14,700, including an $8,000 UW-Whitewater Chancellor Scholar's Award, $3,500 Fort Atkinson Alumni Foundation Scholarship, $2,000 UW-Whitewater UW-Credit Union Scholarship and a $1,200 Science Matters Scholarship.

Five scholarships totaling $14,500 were presented to Annika Carter. She received a $6,000 UW-Stout Chancellor's Scholarship, $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $1,500 Stella Heth Memorial-University Scholarship, $1,250 Pagel Graphic Arts Scholarship and a $750 American Red Cross-Young Minds Scholarship.

Emmalee Buchta earned $13,736 in awards, including a $6,236 St. Joseph's Catholic Church-Powers Scholarship, $4,000 Stella Heth Memorial-Vocational Scholarship, $1,500 Fort Atkinson Vocational/Technical Scholarship, $1,000 Kiwanis Scholarship, $500 AVEDA Scholarship and a $500 Pete von Allmen Memorial Scholarship.

Honors totaling $13,000 were presented to Margaret Opperman. She earned a $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $5,000 UW-Madison Alumni Fort Atkinson Chapter/Pellegrin Scholarship, $2,000 Summer Charity Concert Series Scholarship and a $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship.

Caryana Dominguez earned a total of $12,250 in honors. She received an $8,000 Stuart and Gladys Anhalt Memorial Scholarship, $2,500 David Veith Performing Arts Scholarship, $1,000 Fred and Helen Rose Inspire-a-Dream Scholarship and $750 Paul Frank Florine Post 166 of the American Legion Auxiliary-Music Scholarship.

A total of $11,000 in awards went to Katherine Brandl. She received a $6,750 Technical Excellence Scholarship, $1,500 Stella Heth Memorial-Vocational Scholarship, $1,000 Lloyd Hake Memorial Vocational/Technical Scholarship, $1,000 Fort Atkinson Vocational/Technical Scholarship and a $750 Paul Frank Florine Post 166 of the American Legion Auxiliary-Medical Scholarship.

Hannah Lemke picked up a total of $11,000 in gifts, including a $5,000 Ben and Ada Hake-Agricultural Scholarship, $2,000 James and Frances Luther Memorial Scholarship, $1,500 Compeer Financial's High School Senior Scholarship; $800 Robert Ward Memorial Scholarship, $650 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship, $550 UW-Platteville Fort Atkinson High School Community Scholarship and a $500 Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff's Association Scholarship.

Kate England received $10,500 in awards, including a $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $2,500 Mary Dexheimer Gates Memorial Scholarship, $2,000 Therese and Dr. James Fitzpatrick-Educational Scholarship and $1,000 Ed Karrels-AP Computer Science Scholarship.

A total of $9,500 was awarded to Rachel Hamele. She received a $3,000 Francis F. Carnes Scholarship, $2,500 Florence Hake Memorial-Education Scholarship, $2,000 Isabelle Mathews-Educational Scholarship, $1,500 Unity Project Scholarship and a $500 Fort Atkinson Education Association Scholarship.

Caley Haas garnered $9,050 in honors, receiving a $5,000 Ben and Ada Hake-Agricultural Scholarship, $2,000 UW-Madison Alumni Fort Atkinson Chapter/Pellegrin Scholarship, $1,500 UW-Wisconsin Foundation-Wendall Smith Scholarship and $550 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship.

A total of $9,000 in awards went to Riley Koehler. He received a $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship, $1,500 Stella Heth Memorial-University Scholarship, $1,000 Dr. James Russell-Athletic Scholarship, $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship, $250 Eagle Scout and Gold Award Recognition Scholarship and $250 Fort Atkinson Youth Wrestling Club Inc. Scholarship.

Bailey Neujahr picked up $9,000 in honors Wednesday. She earned a $5,000 Juanita Schreiner Memorial Scholarship, $2,000 Fort Atkinson Thrift Shop and Jean Reich Memorial Scholarship and a $2,000 Kathleen Grabil Thorndike Scholarship.

A total of $7,550 was awarded to Robert Hernandez, including a $3,000 Lloyd Hake Memorial Vocational/Technical Scholarship, $2,000 Jesse Nowodzelski Memorial Scholarship, $1,300 Fort Atkinson Vocational/Technical Scholarship and $1,250 Jones Dairy Farm Industrial Mechanics Scholarship.

Emily Jaeckel collected a total of $7,000 in honors, tallying a $5,000 Maurice and Clara Staller Memorial Scholarship, $1,500 Fort HealthCare Partners High School Student Scholarship and $500 UW-Health-Fort Atkinson-Health Care Career Scholarship.

Haylee Miles was presented with a $6,750 Technical Excellence Scholarship.

A total of $6,000 was earned by Madelynn Evans, including a $5,000 Stella Heth Memorial Scholarship and $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship.

Miranda Aalto picked up $5,800 in honors. She received a $2,000 UW-Madison Alumni Fort Atkinson Chapter/Pellegrin Scholarship, $2,000 UW-Madison Wisconsin Alumni Association Scholarship, $1,000 Jessica D. Holt Scholarship, $500 Butch Hiscox Memorial Scholarship and $300 Bob Horton Memorial Scholarship-Fort Atkinson Community Theatre (FACT).

Dalyn Reichert received $5,750 in awards. He collected a $5,000 Stella Heth Memorial-University Scholarship and a $750 Hannah Church Memorial Scholarship.

A total of $5,500 was presented to Emily Ashland, including a $2,000 Edward G. Wolff Memorial Scholarship, $1,500 Stella Heth Memorial-Vocational Scholarship, $1,000 Paul Frank Florine Post 166 of the American Legion-Natural Resource Conservation Scholarship and $1,000 Wisconservation Club-Leonard Brosig Scholarship.

Mariah Marowsky also took home $5,500 in honors, receiving a $5,000 Richard Noel Bingham Scholarship and a $500 Casey Ensweiler Scholarship

A $5,000 Stella Heth Memorial-University Scholarship was awarded to Rhiley Block.

Earning a total of $4,800 was Noah Voss, who picked up a $2,500 Wisconservation Club-Leonard Brosig Scholarship, $1,500 Fort Atkinson Vocational/Technical Scholarship, $550 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship and $250 Optimist Club Scholarship.

Clarissa Gross collected $4,750 in honors, including a $3,500 UW-Madison Niedermeier Scholarship, $750 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship and $500 Jefferson County Farm Bureau Scholarship.

Joseph Hallock also netted a total of $4,750 in honors. He received a $3,000 Lloyd Hake Memorial Vocational/Technical Scholarship, $1,250 Jones Dairy Farm Industrial Mechanics Scholarship and $500 Fort Atkinson Vocational/Technical Scholarship.

A total of $4,500 in awards went to Ernest Bos. He received a $3,500 Fort Atkinson Alumni Foundation Scholarship and a $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship.

Logan Lehmann collected $4,000 in honors, including a $3,000 Dr. Sydney Weidemann Memorial Scholarship and $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship.

Sara Vander Mause took home a $4,000 Captain Wilbur Sundt-Kiwanis Scholarship.

Earning a $3,500 Fort Atkinson Alumni Foundation Scholarship was Danielle Frey.

A total of $3,500 also was awarded to Olivia Kees, including a $2,500 Florence Hake Memorial-Education Scholarship and $1,000 Dr. James Russell-Athletic Scholarship.

Also taking home $3,500 was Madelyn Lisius. She earned a $2,000 UW-Stout Promising Student Scholarship, $1,000 Fred and Helen Rose Inspire-a-Dream Scholarship and $500 Arlette and Gregory Sambs Scholarship for Agriculture Advancement.

Paige Berg was honored with a $3,000 Crossroads Scholarship.

Drew Hebbe also garnered $3,000 including a $2,500 Edward Hager Memorial Scholarship and $500 Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff's Association Scholarship.

Picking up a $2,500 Carol Jean Rowley Memorial Scholarship was Julio Andrade.

Alyssa Samson collected a $2,500 Florence Hake Memorial-Education Scholarship.

Collecting a $2,000 Tim Butts Memorial Scholarship was Jordan Flodin.

Nicole Gjertson brought home $2,000 in awards, including a $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship and $1,000 Jake Meinert Memorial Scholarship.

Logan Nordness received a $2,000 Lloyd Hake Memorial Vocational/Technical Scholarship.

Bennett Wiedenhoeft netted a $2,000 Edward Hager Memorial Scholarship.

Julian Alvarado earned a $1,500 Fort Atkinson Vocational/Technical Scholarship.

Sidney Hebbe was presented with $1,400 in honors. She received a $1,000 UW-Platteville Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Scholarship and $400 FFA Alumni/FFA Scholarship.

Taking home $1,250 in honors Wednesday was Alyssa Meacham. She earned a $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship and $250 Terra Staffing Services Scholarship.

Braeden Calvillo earned a $1,000 Dr. James Russell-Athletic Scholarship.

Gizett Garcia garnered a $1,000 Fred and Helen Rose Inspire-a-Dream Scholarship.

Victoria Gerrits received a $1,000 Medical Careers Scholarship.

Emily Kern took home a $1,000 "Anonymous" scholarship.

Garrett Rieger received a $1,000 Ed Karrels AP Computer Science Scholarship.

Presented with a $750 Ed Winiarski Turn Around Award was Destiny Forcia.

Lexi Garant garnered a $500 Fort Atkinson Generals-Special Recognition Scholarship.

Elijah Gilson netted a $500 Butch Hiscox Memorial Scholarship.

Caitlin Horvatin was presented with a $500 Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff's Association Scholarship.

Jeremiah Mansavage received a $500 American Legion-Ward Scholarship.

Taking home a $500 Winona State University Academic Scholarship was Caiden Willkomm.

Louis Jones collected a $250 Fort Atkinson Youth Wrestling Club, Inc. Scholarship.

EDISON, NJ - A Union High School scholar-athlete was one of 375 students to receive a scholarship at the 26 ^th Annual NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete Luncheon on May 19.

Although a student at the Academy for Allied Health Science in Scotch Plains, Krizia Aponte was selected as Union High School's representative at the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) award ceremony.

"Krizia is a two sport athlete for us participating in soccer and basketball," said Union Athletic Director Linda Ionta. "She is a positive role model for her teammates and puts her heart into everything she does. We are very proud to have her represent us as the NJSIAA Scholar Athlete. Her QPA from the Academy for Allied Health Sciences is 94.79."

Aponte, who grew up and lives in Union, said she has always had a great love of playing different sports. "I started in kindergarten with soccer and in second grade with basketball," she said. "I have always belonged to either a school soccer or basketball team, AAU, or a travel elite soccer team."

Aponte is in the National Honor Society, HOSA, and is on the Crimson Tide soccer team. "I do dog therapy with my puppy, Mozzarella, too," she said. Aponte works at the Kids Academy at Life Time Athletic in Florham Park.

Aponte said she will be starting at Rutgers University in the fall. She intends to major in biology in hopes of eventually applying to medical school. She plans on becoming an OB/GYN. "For the last 18 years, I have experienced great highs and lows, but I have always received the love and support by my family and friends," she said.

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) is thrilled to announce that a new scholarship fund has been established. The Patriot Scholarship Fund will benefit graduating seniors of Charlton Heston Academy who are continuing their education at an accredited college, university, community college, or trade/technical/vocational school. Special consideration will be given to students with financial need.

The goal of the Patriot Scholarship Fund is to promote and encourage students to pursue higher education and fulfill their potential.

Inspired? You can support the Patriot Scholarship Fund by sending your donation to RCCF at P.O. Box 824, Roscommon, MI 48653 or visiting our website at www.myrccf.org to make a donation online.

Get connected with causes that matter to you! Contact Suzanne E. Luck, Executive Director, for information on how you can give a gift that supports your community.

The Abuja School of Pension and Retirement Planning, says it will award scholarship to five per cent of all exceptional students admitted into the institution.

Founder of the school, Dr Musa Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the scholarship would enable beneficiaries pursue certificate or National Diploma (ND) courses.

Ultimately, what we are saying is that when we get these students, we are going to have a certain cut off marks from JAMB, but by the time we set up our cut off marks, we are going to put two thresholds.

So, certain thresholds are people that we are going to deliberately attract sponsorship in terms of scholarship by these operators as part of their social responsibility by PenCom, PenOP by everybody that is benefiting from the industry.

"Abuja School of Pension and Retirement Planning intend to at every moment give five per cent of all the students' full scholarship.

"But at the same time, because of the importance of the industry, we want about 30 per cent of scholarship to be undertaken by PenCom, PenOp, by individual operators, so that we can have distinguished students.

"All we are going to ask for is for these people to build up a trust out of which this thing will be supported.

"Ibrahim urged relevant government institution to put up prices for students who would excel in the institution.

He further said pension industry operators should take up social responsibility of awarding additional 30 per cent scholarship to students of the school with outstanding performance in entrance examinations.

He said the school was collaborating with different stakeholders to deepen knowledge acquisition in pension matters for the betterment of Nigerian workers.

"We have lots of collaborations with different stakeholders, for example Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), because ultimately this is a matter that patterns to all the workers in Nigeria.

"So, we are having lots of collaborations, some we have already concretised while others are in the offering.''

He said the school management was also collaborating with some universities within and outside the country on post-graduate programmes.

"We are also discussing with two universities outside Nigeria, we think a Master's Degree in Pension Administration and Management is something that is doable.

"So, the Abuja school of pension could be used as satellite centre in that regards.

"Ultimately, we want to build an institution of excellence that will be involved in everything that is pension and management related and we cannot do that without collaborating with various stakeholders.''

According to him, the institution will create a consultancy arm where grants will be provided to sponsor researches by academicians in different universities.

The Abuja School of Pension and Retirement Planning was inaugurated by the Federal Government in April as the first private Monotechnic on pension administrations in Nigeria.

The school's curriculum, approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), was designed to award certificates in National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma in Pension Administration and Management.

The school was conceived to provide tertiary education for the development and acquisition of vital skills, capability and capacity in pension and related disciplines.(NAN).

Huntington's Chi Chapter of Tri Kappa Sorority recently awarded four general scholarships and the Laura Blackburn Memorial Scholarship. A total of $3,000 in scholarships was awarded this year. The scholarships are awarded annually by Tri Kappa and are based on academic achievement, character and impact.

Those receiving general scholarships are:

* Julia Crist, $1,000 scholarship. Crist plans to attend Ball State University and study business-marketing or accounting. While at Huntington North High School, she participated in tennis, was a Junior Rotarian, National Honor Society secretary, served as Student Council president, started the Riley Dance Marathon at HNHS and is actively involved with Special Olympics. She is the daughter of Beth and Michael Crist, of Huntington.

* Macy Wohlford, $500 scholarship. Wohlford plans to attend Purdue University to study engineering. While a student at HNHS, she was a student athlete participating in tennis. She also participated in student council, student athletic board, National Honor Society. Wohlford was a Junior Rotarian, involved with Riley Dance Marathon committee, a math tutor and a student leader for Youth for Christ. She is the daughter of Mark and Jackie Wohlford, of Huntington.

* Elizabeth Moore, $500 scholarship. Moore plans to attend Ball State University and study architecture. While a student at Northfield Jr./Sr. High School, Moore has been involved in Cross Country and Track, National Honor Society, Student Council and the prom design team. She volunteers with Metro North Robotics team as a coach, Blessings in a Backpack, Vacation Bible School and serves as a math and reading tutor. She is the daughter of Jeanette and Chris Moore, of Andrews.

* Alena Miller, Laura Blackburn Memorial Scholarship $1,000. Miller plans to attend Goshen College pursuing a degree in Spanish education and music. While a student at HNHS, she has been involved for four years in cross country and track, tutoring Spanish-speaking students at the middle school, Environmental Club member and was awarded the Silver Key from Indiana Scholastic Art competition. She teaches violin at the YMCA and has performed with the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony Orchestra. She volunteers her time with community programs like Love INC and has been involved with mission trips through her church and more. Miller is the daughter of Kevin and Lydia Miller, of Huntington.

The Laura Blackburn Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Laura Blackburn, who was a Huntington County elementary school teacher and an active member of Tri Kappa. Candidates for this scholarship must be planning to major in education.

Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri awarded the first Blockchain and DLT Scholarship Grants to 19 students.

"These 19 awardees are a symbol of courage to embrace change and we definitely need more like them. I thank the University of Malta and MITA's future-looking mind-set and for their commitment in preparing future generations for the necessities of future industries, as well as the building blocks of Malta The Blockchain Island require everyone's involvement, from the ground up' said Schembri.

Schembri said that Malta is now looking at the fusion of traditional professions with technology.

"With the fast pace at which the digital scenario is evolving, we will soon be setting our sights on Financial Engineering, ICT Engineering and even lawyers specialising in technology. Evidently, technology will infiltrate and mould the landscape of sectors and professions in a different manner than the way we know them today, hence we must prepare ourselves for the changes and anticipate the ever-changing scenario this will bring about" said Schembri

The Rector of the University of Malta Alfred Vella said that with the government's vision of making Malta The Blockchain Island, it was a natural and exciting step for the University of Malta to take a leap forward and be part of this journey.

"Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies provide new educational and academic challenges. which span multiple disciplines including Law, Business and ICT. It is for this reason that we have been proactive at the University of Malta in developing a multi-disciplinary master's programme in Blockchain and DLT" said Director of Centre of Distributed Ledger Technology Joshua Ellul

"We are not stopping here. Early next year, another fresh call will be issued to give the opportunity to more students to develop their studies at Masters and PHd level. With today's working environment, the use of IT is used in different sectors, so I remind our prospective students that this scholarship is not only open to technical study stream, but also to those having a background of law or business" said MITA's Executive Chairman Tony Sultana.

It was in September of last year when MITA and the University of Malta signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which established a €300,000 scholarship grant for a period of 3 years aimed at students who want to pursue their studies in Blockchain and DLT at a Masters and PHD level.

All awardees will be reading for a Master's degree in Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technologies, some students will be specialising in Law and DLT, others in Finance and Business and DLT and some will be specializing in ICT and DLT. The investment in these 19 awardees amounts to €160,000.

DENVER (CBS4) - An immigration lawyer and his law firm are being sued. They are accused of winning bids at a National Western Stock Show auction and then failing to pay.

The lawsuit claims this has happened two years in a row.

Each year at the stock show, children and teens who have raised livestock are given the chance to auction off the animals. They receive some of the money and some benefits scholarships.

The lawsuit claims that Patrick Wake and The Law Offices of Pacheco & Wake in Aurora won those bids but didn't pay up.

"It's just a shame to see people take advantage of it by coming to the auction, making a big show of it, you know, getting their names in the paper and all of the other things, getting possibly invitations to other events at the stock show, and not follow through with their commitments to pay the stock show for the animal that they purchased," said National Western Stock Show board member Jim Cage.

CBS4 reached out to Patrick Wake and The Law Offices of Pacheco & Wake but haven't heard back.

The National Western Stock Show covered the bid, including the money that goes to the exhibitors and scholarships.

PUTRAJAYA: The RM11.47mil worth of scholarships for Palestinians are not entirely funded by public universities, says the Higher Education Department.

Its director-general, Datin Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, clarified that only one out of the 12 higher education institutions involved in the programme was a public university.

"There has been a confusion, and I hope the public won't jump to conclusions," she said.

"Local institutions could mean either public or private. It doesn't mean the funds are coming from the ministry," she said on Thursday (May 23).

The institutions involved include UCSI University, Sunway University, Al Bukhary International University and Mahsa University.

Dr Siti Hamisah added that not all 140 scholarships are full scholarships.

Many social media users expressed their frustrations online, after Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made the announcement on Wednesday (May 22), thinking that the Government was funding the scholarships.

Dr Siti Hamisah said private institutions have been providing scholarships to local students for the past few years, amounting to more than RM100mil.

"They have been giving and providing a lot of tuition waivers as well," she said. "So, to say they are not contributing (to local students) is also unfair."

She added that giving scholarships to international students had been the practice of private institutions for years.

"These types of scholarships are not one of a kind," she said.

"In fact, Singapore some times offer scholarships to Malaysian students who excel in their studies.

"They want to bring in good quality students to their universities to improve and enhance (the university's quality) and provide competition.

"Having international students and giving scholarships also promote the country," she added.

Currently, around 173,000 international students are studying in tertiary institutions in the country, most of whom are enrolled in private institutions.

"I hope we remain level headed," Dr Siti Hamisah said.

"Because at the end of the day, we must trust our own system, whereby if we give scholarships, we give it to our local students and if we need to internationalise, then we give to others as well," she added.

On Tuesday night, May 22nd, ABC is celebrating TV creator and producer Norman Lear with Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons, a live remake of his two most iconic shows. Lear and his partner Bud Yorkin were the primary drivers in moving television sitcoms from the idealistic representations of husbands and wives sleeping in separate twin beds in the 1960s to a realistic depiction of America in the 1970s.

One of the successful runs in sitcom history began with a show about a bigoted, curmudgeonly white man named Archie Bunker. With All in the Family, Lear built a TV world that reflected the real world - especially the ugly and uncomfortable parts - for the first time. With a laugh track, Lear's shows were the first to address abortion, menopause, politics and anti-war sentiments. The first to prominently feature an interracial married couple, the first to feature a transsexual character, and the first to make topics of race and class - "liberal" issues - the driving storylines on TV. Most importantly, Lear was the first creator/producer to center the black family and black stories on television, giving white viewers some of their first insights into the challenges - but more importantly the normalcy - of black families.

In advance of tonight's special, we look at the two very different black family portraits Lear created for the world, why they were important, and where they fell short.

--

Good Times (1974 - 1979)

Good Times evolved from Lear's realization that black people needed to be visible beyond the service and sidekick roles they usually occupied on television. The producer developed a backstory for Florida Evans, the maid for Bea Arthur's Maude, so viewers would realize she had an existence outside of her service to white folks. "You're seeing a different side of (Florida)," Esther Rolle said to Ebony about her character's development. "What I do in my madam's house is a façade; what I do at home is me."

When John Amos was introduced as Florida's husband (then named Henry), he and Rolle were so compelling together that CBS asked Lear to give them a spin-off.

Mike Evans, the first Lionel Jefferson (aka Light Skin Lionel, aka the Lionel that can actually act, aka the fine Lionel) had expressed an interest in writing to Lear (giving cast members shots to grow outside of their roles is a recurring theme with the producer), so Lear gave Evans and writer Eric Monte (Cooley High) a crack at the series.

Monte and Evans placed the Evans family in Chicago's infamous Cabrini-Green housing projects and along with Lear established three rules for the show: the Evans would never go on welfare; they would face the "reality of their world," which in 1970s Chicago included gang violence, crime, financial challenges, and a pimp named Sweet Daddy; and despite anything the family faced, the Evans children would get an education.

The parameters the creators put in place were key as everyone knew they were breaking new ground: the Evans were the first black two-parent family on television.

The overprotective stay-at-home matriarch, three-job-working, strict disciplinarian patriarch, creative if flighty eldest trying to figure out his path, studious and straight-arrow daughter, and super-bright, politically aware and socially conscious youngest son weren't unlike the make-up of any other American family, which was intentional.

But their problems were unique to any other family on TV, like trying to keep their son out of a gang in Southside Chicago.

"They were representing their entire race, who had never, ever been represented before," Lear explained in his autobiography. "And I realized shortly into rehearsal, just from questions and conversations and body language and everything else, just how much weight was on them."

The show, which Ebony called "...the best effort to date at showing a real slice of ghetto black life," was a hit - and not just with black viewers. The audience was 60% white, and the pressure for positive representation was real. Lear's unflinching commitment to real storylines produced episodes, not just about the challenges of living somewhere between working class and the working poor, like a neighbor eating dog food; but also ableism, age discrimination in the workforce, and child abuse (hi, young Janet Jackson). And conversations that are still hot topics forty years later, including racial bias in standardized testing and preventative health for black men (turns out, James was always mad because he had hypertension).

The challenges of balancing realism and comedy without playing into tropes and stereotypes kept the sitcom from reaching its full potential. That weight the adult cast felt caused tension with the creative team by the end of the first season. Rolle started pushing back on some story ideas and dialogue, including an episode where 16-year old Thelma is pressured to sleep with her older boyfriend. Rolle wouldn't even review the script, telling Lear, "The last thing we want to deal with on this show is teenage sex... It is morally wrong, let's not even discuss it." Lear ultimately won that battle. Over time, the biggest conflict came from increased centering on J.J.'s "dy-no-mite"-punctuated antics and borderline buffoonery.

Amos and Rolle weren't having it. "They chose to go for the obvious and the comedic...It started to dissipate into something I wasn't terribly proud of." Amos later said. He felt like the show was doing the other characters a disservice, saying, "'You guys don't really matter. We're more interested in seeing J.J. with a chicken hat on.'

"Rolle was more direct in her critique, "(J.J.)'s 18 and he doesn't work, He can't read and write. He doesn't think," she complained in an interview. "...they have made him more stupid and enlarged the role."

Jimmy Walker - who wasn't close with anyone in the cast - responded in the same interview, "I play the way I see it for the humor of it. I don't think anybody 20 years from now is going to remember what I said." (I guess syndication wasn't a consideration in the '70s. But also, Walker's a clown, so...)

Amos and Rolle made a pact at the beginning of the series: they would fight to preserve the integrity of the characters and the family. When they felt they weren't representing responsibly anymore, they spoke up. Amos threatened to leave the show at one point, forcing producers to delay taping. Eventually, he was labeled a "disruptive element" on the set, and they decided to kill James off. The choice to remove the key figure that made the show so important led to its eventual demise, but Amos later told Lear he was right to fire him for the way he behaved. Ironically, James' death - just as he's finally pulling his family out of the hood - produced one of the two most powerful scenes of the series, and maybe the only time we saw Rolle's power as a stage actress.

(The second is Penny's mama coming towards her with an iron, which I can't even watch anymore.)

Watching now, viewers have identified Florida as a hater; she seemed to thwart every possible opportunity for the family to get even the tiniest glow up. But Florida was a manifestation of Rolle fighting with the show runners against anything she thought was gonna make us look crazy. Was some of it based in respectability? Absolutely. But considering Good Times was the only show of its kind, at least until What's Happening!! debuted in 1976, I understand. Except for Black Jesus, that was fly. Florida was buggin'. Ebony, the most important black media outlet at the time, understood why she and Amos were fighting against foolery, too. The last black-centered sitcom before Diahann Carol's Julia, Sanford and Son and Good Times had been Amos 'n' Andy, and nobody was trying to go back to that. "What seems to be called for now is a greater relevance among characters and a closer rein on a tendency to slide towards old-timey black minstrelsy. What is being revealed is a healthy awareness on the part of black performers that they are responsible for cleansing the stained image of blacks so long perpetrated on stage and screen."

Shortly after John Amos left the show, Esther Rolle left as well, and ratings fell. Writers tried revamping J.J. as a mature head of the family, they introduced new characters and even brought Rolle back for a period, but the show was canceled in 1979.

Good Times feels now like Blaxploitation (and it was a bit) and poverty porn. But then, it was still a new version of our story told publicly. It was still a top-rated show about a black family. It was still a display of active and conscientious black parenting, including a black daddy with a job in a house, even in the ghetto.

The Jeffersons (1975 - 1985)

The Jeffersons was the longest running black family sitcom on television - longer than The Cosby Show. The show started just as the black middle class was building in the wake of the post-civil rights movement and was the first show to depict a black family that wasn't working class. The show introduced one of the most iconic black TV characters in history. George Jefferson was the representation black folks had been waiting for; he was the hope and the dream. A black man from post-great migration Harlem who reached out with both hands to grab every part of the American Dream that he could as soon as it was available to him and would give white people his a** to kiss if they weren't with it. It's easy to dismiss George as mostly mouth and swagger, but that mouth and swagger were on our collective behalf.

Lear created the Jefferson family as an agitator for Archie Bunker. Lionel was a character from the beginning of the show, a smart young black man Archie considered one of the "good" ones. Then, the family moved in next door to the Bunkers - the first black family in the all-white Queens neighborhood.

George wasn't introduced for a couple of seasons. Sherman Hemsley was in a Broadway production, but Lear was so intent on him in the role that he found workarounds. George was the black version of Archie: stubborn, bullheaded, archaic in some of his thinking, and prejudiced towards people who he deemed other. George was sharper than Archie, though, and a fighter, which created great tension between the two characters as their families fell into a neighborly relationship. Usually at odds, one of the best scenes between the two happens in a set-up episode for the spin-off. The Jeffersons are meeting the Willises for the first time, and George and Archie are equally horrified to discover Tom and Helen Willis are an interracial couple. As they watch Tom dance with Louise at the end of the scene (I think I might have preferred this Tom...I don't think he would have taken George's sh*t), they toast to their shared disapproval.

George: Bunker, what is this world coming to?

Archie: Beats me, Jefferson. All I got to say is (raises glass), here's to yesterday.

Feedback from the scratchin' and survivin' work of Good Times impacted how Lear developed The Jeffersons. Three Black Panther party members showed up a Lear's production company one day to express their displeasure with Good Times. Lear recounted the story for an interview, saying, "They were pissed off that the only (black) family that existed, the (patriarch) had to hold down three jobs." The Panthers asked why there couldn't be an affluent black family on television, and Lear listened. Maybe George and Weezy would have stayed next door to the Bunkers, or moved to the black middle-class Queens enclave Jamaica Estates, or back uptown to Harlem for the spinoff, but that random visit sent them to a deluxe apartment in the sky in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

The Cosbys, the Banks, and other upper middle class to upper-class TV families that came later were comfortable being comfortable. But the Jeffersons were adjusting to having finally attained the dream, being part of the early post-segregation black upper class, and the mixture of pride, guilt, and responsibility that came along with it - and so were the white people and other black people in their orbit. What happens when you've made it? When you jump from being a black housekeeper to hiring a black housekeeper? When your old friends from around the way come around? When you can buy your family whatever they want just because? How do you stay real in the midst of that?

The Jeffersons addressed not just race and class, but also race vs class. George wasn't educated, but he worked hard, and expected his success to afford him respect and access - his theory was that green was more influential than black, and he was furious every time that proved to be untrue. There were plenty of puns based on George making social faux pas to impress elite white people, but there was also the very clear message - even if you're a black millionaire: you still a ni**a.

I recently went back and watched the entire series on TV One, and the first few seasons are the blackest thing I have ever seen on television. As George and Louise are adjusting to their money and their lifestyle, the Harlem stayed jumping out. George still spoke in "jive" (the AAVE of the '70s), and would call somebody "ni**a" in a minute. Louise had a lot of fire early on, too. Her character became more one dimensional (and low key annoying) as the series progressed.

George was written to be abrasive and dislikable on the surface with redeeming qualities beneath, but Hemsley brought the character to life, with the walk he gave him without thinking, with Louise's nickname, "Weezy," with his attitude and mannerisms. Sherman was quiet, reserved in real life, and found playing George difficult. The blatant intolerance and insults, the rudeness and door slamming. It's amazing from today's more politically correct viewpoint that not only did this fly on primetime TV, but it was also one of the top sitcoms on air. The think pieces, Twitter hot takes and "What if this was a white character acting like this?" would be on a hundred if the show aired today. But George's ridiculousness was the point.

At its best, the series educated viewers through George's development, dispelling myths and stereotypes, and not just expanding the awareness of white viewers, but black ones, as well. At its funniest, the wit and wordplay were some of the best on TV. I would bet money that Martin pulled from George and Florence (a role we really don't give Marla Gibbs enough love for) when writing Martin and Pam.

By the early '80s, the black professional class had grown and with the Reagan boom, plenty of families had moved on up. Now that the Jeffersons weren't a unique story, the show was still cute but had lost its heart. CBS abruptly canceled it without a series finale.

George Jefferson endures, though. We know his walk, we know his dance, we know his door slam, we know him. We literally all know an old black man like George: ain't gonna take no sh*t, kind of an a**, you worry he might say something extremely foul in public, but also has all the confidence and swagger.

Morehouse honored Norman Lear in 2016, and Dr. John Silvanus Wilson Jr., the university's president, proclaimed that Lear "showed America 40 years ago that Black Lives Matter. He opened the eyes of millions of Americans when it came to civil rights, women's rights, and gay rights, all by making us laugh about it heartily so that we can think about it differently. Norman Lear is and will always be, in TV and race relations, a pioneer."

I know we stopped giving cookout invites, but somebody please send Norman Lear a plate.

(MENAFN - PR Newswire)
ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast NBCUniversal today announced that it has awarded approximately $102,500 in scholarships for the 2019-2020 school year to 38 Maryland students as part of its annual Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program. Students are selected for their outstanding community service, academic performance and leadership skills. The award, funded by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship to be used toward undergraduate education-related expenses. Since 2001, more than $33 million has been awarded to nearly 30,000 high school seniors across the country as part of the Leaders and Achievers program.

"Our Leaders and Achievers scholarship winners are exceptional students who are committed to academic excellence and community service," said Mary McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Comcast's Beltway Region. "We are honored to recognize their achievements and excited to support them as they continue their educational journeys."

Comcast, joined by James D. Fielder, Ph.D., Secretary of Maryland's Higher Education Commission, and other local elected officials and school administrators, recognized the students at a special event held at the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis on Wednesday, May 22. One student, Shane Shakoor, a resident of Towson and student at Loch Raven High School, was selected to receive an additional $7,500 Comcast Founders Scholarship - instituted in honor of Ralph J. Roberts, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Comcast Corporation.

"Congratulations to all of our students for being recognized for excelling in your community service, academic and leadership achievements," said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. "Thank you, Comcast, for being part of our commitment to strengthen Maryland's communities and invest in our students' educational futures."

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students who strive to achieve their full potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to prepare for the future and to engage them in their communities. The program also demonstrates the importance and value of civic involvement, especially by the business community.

Visit here to learn more about the program.

2019 Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Recipients from Maryland

Anne Arundel CountyAbigail Hayes of Glen Burnie High School Layla Tiberio of Northeast High School in Pasadena

Baltimore CityJafre Chase of Baltimore School for the Arts Sarah Oliver of Bryn Mawr School

Baltimore CountyFopefoluwa Atanda of Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore Emerson Daniel of Garrison Forest School in Owings MillsHeather Howard of Chesapeake High School in Essex Adam Lamberti of McDonogh School in Owings MillsDonyell Logan of Eastern Technical High School in EssexRobert Meloni of Dulaney High School in TimoniumShane Shakoor of Loch Raven High School in TowsonJenifer Solorzano of Parkville High School

Carroll CountyAlexa Hayman of Westminster High SchoolErin Ko of Century High School in Sykesville

Charles CountyRyan Henry of Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head

Frederick CountyTanner Dixon of Frederick High SchoolMichael Farrell Jr. of Tuscarora High School in FrederickSanjana Jha of Governor Thomas Johnson High School in FrederickMichele Newkirk of Middletown High School

Harford CountyRebecca Bracken of Havre De Grace High SchoolLolayemi Olulola Charles of Aberdeen High School

Howard CountyNia Anderson of Hammond High School in ColumbiaCaleb Park of Long Reach High School in Columbia

Montgomery CountyAlice Kahkajian of Colonel Zadok Magruder High School in RockvilleTanya Kambou of Winston Churchill High School in PotomacGrace Kim of Poolesville High SchoolSahana Kundu of Poolesville High SchoolJennifer Manrique of Springbrook High School in Silver Spring Grace Schuler of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney Kayla Tomas of James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring Betty Xiong of Colonel Zadok Magruder High School in Rockville

Prince George's CountyTimothy Mangen of Bowie High SchoolTracy Pham of St. Vincent Pallotti High School in LaurelAmy Rivera of Elizabeth Seton High School in BladensburgJasmine Tate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt

Wicomico CountyDylan Bennish of Parkside High School in SalisburyTaylor Dodd of Parkside High School in Salisbury

Worcester CountyEthan Scheiber of Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin

About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:CMCSA ) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States' largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation continues the work of the foundations founded by Comcast Corporation and NBCUniversal to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on the communities we serve. Its mission is to empower communities to thrive by helping to provide access to technology, relevant digital skills and training, and inspiring volunteerism and service. The Foundation invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on the communities we serve. More information about how Comcast NBCUniversal supports the communities it serves is available atcomcast.com/community .

SOURCE Comcast NBCUniversal

Related Links

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MENAFN2305201900701241ID1098560776

05-23-2019 Crowdfunding campaign launched for PARCOURSE; Lori Jarvis Memorial Scholarship awarded to Coloma High School band student; Hartford Concerts in the Park for summer 2019

Lakeland Hospital Watervliet is creating a space for citizens in the Tri-City area of Watervliet, Coloma and Hartford, as well as southwest Michigan, to focus on their fitness and overall well-being through a new crowdfunding campaign the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Lakeland Health Foundation announced. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $35,000 by June 30, 2019, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/parcourse.
"Accessible outdoor community fitness is a growing demand in public placemaking," said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. "This parcourse is a great example of putting that into motion. We are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program."
The campaign is being led by Lakeland Health Foundation and will complete renovations to a formerly dilapidated parcourse, replacing the old 1.1-mile gravel-base track originally opened in 1981. The foundation, along with community members, will create a new, updated space featuring two quarter-mile asphalt loops to accommodate individuals who may use wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility aids. Each loop will feature four stations or pods, and each station will include diverse types of professional grade exercise equipment offering varying degrees of difficulty for all fitness levels.
"We're so grateful for the opportunity to receive a matching grant from the MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places program. We're also thrilled to offer the Tri-City area of Watervliet, Coloma and Hartford a chance to invest in the health of their community," said Brandi Smith, vice president of philanthropy and president of foundations for Spectrum Health Lakeland. "The renovated PARCOURSE will provide the public with a state-of-the-art greenspace allowing for safe exercise at no additional cost."
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
"Providing attractive outdoor spaces for recreation and fitness is key to great placemaking," said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. "This parcourse will give a boost to the aesthetics of the park as well as residents' health."
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of May 1, 2019, MEDC has provided $6,375,441 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 204 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $7 million raised from 39,030 individual donors.

The Coloma Band Boosters are proud to award the "Live Like Lori" Lori Jarvis Memorial Scholarship to CHS senior Caitlyn Lemoine. The recipient of this award has exhibited characteristics which honor the memory of their friend and fellow band parent, Lori Jarvis, whose love for her family, friends, school, and community is an example to us all.

This scholarship was open to all graduating senior band members at Coloma High School. The applicants were asked to write two essays; what being a band member means to them and what their community means to them. The winner is the daughter of Mark and Karla Lemoine of Riverside. After graduation she plans on starting out at Lake Michigan College in the hopes of pursuing a career in Art Therapy for individuals with special needs.
Her family moved here her sophomore year and she immediately plugged in to the marching band program, performing with the color guard. In her senior year, she was section leader for both marching and concert season. She is also involved with Jazz Choir and Chamber Choir where she is also section leader. Caitlyn volunteers during events for the North Berrien Fire Rescue Department and provides companionship for a special needs middle schooler during youth group at her church. She is a true example of what the recipient of this scholarship is meant to embrace.
The scholarship of $500 is funded by the Band Boosters ice cream booth at the Glad-Peach Festival in which Lori was instrumental in establishing. The Boosters would like to thank the Jarvis family for allowing them to honor her in this way. They would also like to thank the community for generously supporting not just this fund but the entire band program.

The Hartford Lions Club is pleased to announce the 2019 schedule for the summer Concerts in the Park series. This will be the third year the Lions have sponsored the free Thursday night concerts.
The entertainment starts at 7 p.m. at the Chappell Pavilion in beautiful Ely Park on Main Street in Hartford. The season starts on June 6 and as in the past will include free popcorn. On July 18 the Hartford Lions will sponsor a Community Picnic at 6 p.m. featuring free hot dogs, chips and those delicious cookies.
The program line up will include music for every taste from country, traditional band, folk, jazz, rock and much more.
The schedule is as follows:
June 6 - Brian Randall Band (Country)
June 13 - Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band (traditional English style band)
June 20 - Sounds of Elvis - Steve Otto
June 27 - Southshore Concert Band
July 4 Independence Day - NO CONCERT
July 11 - Wyatt & Shari Knapp (folk music)
July 18 - Casco Band with Community Picnic at 6 p.m.
July 25 - Van Dyke Revue (four piece variety band)
Aug. 1 - Lake Effect Jazz Big Band (a mix of traditional & modern jazz)
Aug. 8 - Jimmy & the Mortals (classic rock)
Aug. 15 - Whateverly Brothers (acoustic goodness)
Aug. 22 - Joe Jason (acoustic 70s)
Aug 29 - Past Time (50s & 60s music)

Twelve Corners Community Church is having a sale May 30, 31 and June 2, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The church is located at the corner of Hicks Avenue and Benton Center Road.
They are getting ready to move into their new church. The sale will include such items as choir music, choir robes, dishes, pots and pans, crafting items, etc. Also, the church ladies will have wonderful baked goods for sale.

Friday, May 24 "SOUP SUPPER" at Van Buren County Museum, 58471 Red Arrow, Hartford. Menu includes an assortment of soups, salads & desserts; freewill offering. For inquiries, call 269-621-2188.
Sunday, May 26, 8 a.m.-noon "PANCAKE BREAKFAST" hosted by Sister Lakes Lions Club in Lions Park, 66991 95th Ave. All you can eat: $8.00/adults, $5.00/children ages 4 to 12; children under 4 are free. Tickets are available from Lions Club members or may be purchased at the door. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to support Lions Club projects.
Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 p.m. "WATERVLIET HIGH SCHOOL BACCALAUREATE"
May 30, 31 & June 1, 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. "CHURCH MOVING & BAKE SALE" at 12 Corners Community Church, corner of Hicks Ave. & Benton Center Rd. Items include choir music & robes, dishes, pots & pans, craft supplies and more along with baked goods.
Friday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. "WATERVLIET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION"
Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. "COLOMA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION"
Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. "HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION"
Monday, June 3, 3 p.m. "AWARD CEREMONY" for Community Landscape Beautification by Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association at Watervliet Library Garden Park, 333 N. Main St.
June 7 & 8 "SWAP MEET" at Michigan Flywheelers Museum, 06285 68th Street, South Haven. Watch for more information on www.michiganflywheelers.org or Facebook.
June 24-27, 6 - 7:45 p.m. "VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL" at Salem Lutheran Church. Early sign-up at VBSMate.com/SalemLutheranColoma
June 28-30 "WATERVLIET INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION"
July 15-20 "VAN BUREN YOUTH FAIR" For more information visit www.vanburenyouthfair.com.
Saturday, July 27, 4-9 p.m. "WHS CLASS OF 1977 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY" in the banquet room at Chief's Bar, 4790 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor. More details may be found on the "WHS Class of 1977 Reunion" page on Facebook; by contacting Greg Krell at thekrell59@yahoo.com, or by calling Greg at 269-876-8260.
August 12-17 "BERRIEN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR" Visit www.bcyf.org for more information.
Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. "WATERVLIET ALL CLASS REUNION" at Watervliet Middle School, 450 E. St. Joseph St. Social hour 11 a.m.; lunch served at noon. $15/person registration due Aug. 9. Anyone that graduated from, or attended the Watervliet Public School system is welcome to attend (also current & former employees). More information is available by calling Marsha Stennecke Cole at 269-463-3712, or Donna Gillard Curtis at 269-463-6680.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. "50-YEAR CLASS REUNION" for Coloma High School Class of 1969. For more information, email nmessal@att.net, call 630-464-8287 or check out the Facebook page of Coloma High School Class of 1969 50th Reunion.

As a parent, I'm feeling pretty lucky.

Our middle child, off to college in the fall, received a full scholarship that includes additional cash for books and other expenses.

So yes, I'm feeling pretty lucky. (Not that luck has anything to do with it. The kid worked hard and earned the full ride.)

But thanks to the new tax plan, my kid may be stuck with a big fat tax bill.

Legislation to provide relief is working its way through Congress, but there's no guarantee we'll see a fix.

Here's what happened.

Under IRS rules, only certain parts of scholarships are tax-free.

Scholarships used to pay so-called qualified education expenses, such as tuition, mandatory fees, books and other required items, are free of tax.

But scholarships that pay for room and board or other non-required items are taxable as unearned income to the student.

That's nothing new.

What's changed is the tax rate assessed on the funds.

Now, to understand this unintended consequence, let's dive into the "kiddie tax."

The kiddie tax deals with the taxation of a child's unearned income, said Nicole Kaeding, vice president of federal projects for the Tax Foundation.

Unearned income includes non-wage income, such as interest, dividends and capital gains.

"The concern of policymakers is that if children have lower tax rates than their parents, parents will try to take advantage of this difference and transfer some of their unearned income to their children," Kaeding said. "So, prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a child's unearned income was taxed at their parent's tax rate, which could reach 39.6 percent, to try and limit this tax-planning option."

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed that, she said. Instead of using the parent's tax rate, a child's unearned income is now taxed at the same rate as trusts and estates.

This is where the ouch comes in.

"For example, the top marginal rate is 37 percent, which is reached at $510,300 for single filers and $612,350 for married couples," she said. "But for trusts and estates, that rate is reached at $12,751 in income. So while the rate has decreased from 39.6 percent to 37 percent, it is starting at a much lower income threshold."

The new rates for unearned income are as follows: up to $2,550 is taxed at 10 percent, then income from $2,551 to $9,150 is taxed at 24 percent. Next, amounts from $9,151 to $12,500 are taxed at 35 percent. Anything over $12,500 is taxed at 37 percent.

Compare that to the average cost for room and board - $12,680 for a private four-year college according to The College Board - and scholarship students could be looking at the top tax rates.

While painful for everyone, the change is even worse for lower income families. Their students could be paying 37 percent, a giant hike from their parents' tax rates, which could be as low as 10 or 12 percent.

Scholarship students aren't the only ones affected.

Children of Gold Star families who receive survivor benefits - considered unearned income - were hit with the higher tax rate, too.

Legislators are now trying to make a fix.

"Historically, after major tax legislation, the long-standing practice has been to correct drafting errors and other technical issues on a bipartisan basis," said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "The families of military heroes who gave their lives serving their country shouldn't be penalized by an unintended effect of tax reform."

The committee, earlier this week, moved on a bill that would no longer consider survivor benefits unearned income - but the bill didn't touch the scholarship issue.

Another bill, this one in the House of Representatives, would eliminate all the changes to the kiddie tax, bringing the rates back to where they were before the new tax plan. That's expected to go to the floor on Thursday.

But before we see any legislative fix, Republicans and Democrats in both houses will have to agree to a compromise bill.

Legislators say they're working across the aisle to solve this one.

For my kid's tax bill, I certainly hope so.

A Florida State University student who conducts research in theoretical physics has received a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, awarded to the nation's brightest mathematics, science and engineering college sophomores and juniors.

Shae Machlus, a rising senior from New Port Richey, will receive $7,500 from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board. The goal of the Goldwater Foundation is to help ensure that the United States produces highly qualified professionals in these critical fields.

Machlus is an accomplished undergraduate researcher in physics, chemistry and scientific computing and recently completed his honors thesis, "Calculating Observables in the Three Body Coulomb Problem," under the direction of FSU Associate Professor of Physics Alexander Volya, who is a nuclear theorist.

"I am very proud of Shae's achievements," Volya said. "Shae has been extremely motivated and active in his work. He is punctual, organized and knowledgeable. These are the core skills that are required for success in a scientific career. Opportunities to work with students like Shae make FSU a wonderful place for scientific research."

Machlus credits Yuko Hori, teaching faculty in the Department of Physics, for instilling a mentality of perseverance in him.

"Unless you're a bona fide genius, you can't avoid failing a lot," said Machlus, a Presidential Scholar at FSU. "I encourage everyone to embrace failure as part of the learning process. If you didn't fail at first then there would have been nothing to learn. Eventually you start to fail less."

Over the summer, Machlus is working with University of Michigan physics researcher Xiaoming Mao, thanks to the National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Their project will be a theoretical study of floppy modes in soft lattices, specifically disordered fractal lattices.

Last summer, Machlus worked with computational materials science researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany, and he participated in his first REU at Brigham Young University in 2017.

While researching theoretical crystallography at BYU, Machlus learned "that a career in physics cannot be fueled only by a love for physics." To pursue a career in physics, he said, a researcher must enjoy the problem solving necessary to overcome the mathematical and technical hurdles that one encounters during the research process.

"Solving irksome problems such as this is not something that plagues research - it is something that characterizes research," Machlus said. "This experience taught me I have an aptitude and an affinity for such work, and thus cemented my resolve to pursue a career in research."

As he begins his senior year, Machlus carries a perfect 4.0 GPA and is set to graduate with honors in August 2020. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in theoretical soft matter physics and a career as an academic.

Since its first award in 1989, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation has bestowed 8,628 scholarships worth approximately $60 million to undergraduate sophomores and juniors from the United States on the basis of academic merit. To learn more, visit https://goldwater.scholarsapply.org.

For more information on national scholarships, contact the Office of National Fellowships.

This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a tiny bit if you make a purchase after clicking on the links. The Savor Summer College Scholarship winners thank you!

College Scholarships ~ Apply S.M.A.R.T., Win More! ~Monica Matthews

Students looking to earn a college degree in accounting, banking, finance or any other business related future career need to apply for the Surety Bond Authority Finance Scholarship.

Surety Bond Authority Inc. believes that the youth should be supported in academic endeavors so as a way of giving back to the community. Surety Authority is launching a scholarship contest which aims to assist outstanding college and high school students with financial assistance so they can achieve their dreams.

This highly coveted scholarship program is looking to award $1,500 to one deserving student who is in pursuit of a course in Accounting, Banking, Finance, or other business-related coursework .

This is the second year of offering this college scholarship program.

Eligibility for this Finance Scholarship

In order to qualify, interested participants must be a high school or college undergraduate student. As a significant contributor to the financial industry, Surety Bond Authority, Inc. is highly favoring students who are planning to take up courses in Accounting, Banking, and other finance-related fields.

• A 500 to 1,000-word essay on why they want to choose or have chosen, a career in Accounting, Banking, Finance or other business-related fields.
• The essay should be submitted in Word or PDF formats only and sent to suretyauthority@gmail.com.
• The chosen winner must send a copy of an official transcript from their school that reflects their most recently completed semester.
• Entries must be received by Sept 1, 2019.

To apply, students must submit:

The finance scholarship, which amounts to a total of $1,500, will be given to only one winner after all the requirements mentioned above have been provided. Winning candidates will be published on the Surety Bond Authority site and will also be contacted via email.

You may also like: Knowledge Matters Virtual Business Scholarship

You found a FANTASTIC scholarship, now learn how to impress the judges with the proven winning strategies in HOW TO WIN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS right now>>

This finance scholarship is an easy to apply for award directed at students who are in pursuit of a business related degree in college. Click To Tweet

"At my daughter's awards ceremony, they announced the scholarship winners and kept calling her name over and over and over again. It was amazing and everyone was saying that they had never heard of a student at our high school that won SO many scholarships. Thank you for your scholarship guide!" S.A., Proud Parent

For college expenses not covered by scholarships and Click here to apply and learn more details. To instantly compare student loan rates without any commitment, click here federal loans, how2winscholarships has partnered with Sallie Mae® to bring you loans with great repayment options and competitive rates.

MARQUETTE - Graduating seniors of Marquette Senior and Marquette Alternative high schools received thousands of dollars in scholarships from the Marquette Area Public Schools Education Foundation during a Tuesday ceremony at MSHS's Barb Crill Memorial Gymnasium.

A total of 151 graduating seniors were awarded $166,093 in scholarships.

"As a school system, usually we're trying to hoard money and put it other places," MAPS Superintendent Bill Saunders said. "This is one of those great events where we actually get to give a boatload of money away."

Saunders said the event wouldn't have been possible with a lot of community support.

"The ultimate goal is every graduate of Marquette Area Public Schools will get some form of award," Saunders said.

Linda Winslow, MAPSEF board president, also credited the community.

"To support all of this, we have our community, who is a huge supporter for us, our board, a huge supporter, and this year, we have eight new funds that we'll be giving away," Winslow said.

Those funds are: the Barb Crill Memorial Fund, Mick and Judy Vonck Family Fund, Scott and Jill White Family Fund, TriMedia Environmental and Engineering Services Fund, UP Diabetes Outreach Network Fund, Class of 2018 Fund, Graveraet Class of 1964 and Phil Niemisto Fund.

MAPSEF acquires and endows funds for distribution in grants to MAPS staff and student projects as well as awards to graduating seniors.

For more information on starting a scholarship or donating to an existing one, visit the MAPSEF website at mapseducationfoundation.weebly.com/contact.html, or contact Lori Frak at 906-225-5324 or lfrak@mapsnet.org

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.

Are you dreaming about pursuing master's studies in Finland? Then there is a chance to make your dream come true by taking part in a program offering by the University of Helsinki.

The opportunity is available for those International students who want to complete their master studies at Helsinki in Finland.

Review

Established in 1640, the University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available. It offers many degree level courses for its applicants.

Why at the University of Helsinki? At this university, students will get an inspiring study environment and full support from their faculties in their career goals. They will experience the world-famous Finnish education system.

Application Deadline: December every year

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Candidates from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are worthy for this position.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: They can join a master's degree program at the university.
• Admissible Criteria: Aspirants must have to meet the requirements for obtaining an entry visa and residence permit for Finland.

How to Apply

• How to apply: For taking this grant, participants need to take admission in a master's degree course at the university. You will complete the fund application form with the same application form used to apply for a master's course.
• Supporting Documents: Academic transcripts, language ability certificate, copy of the passport, and curriculum vitae should be submitted.
• Admission Requirements: Candidate must have a bachelor's degree with excellent result.
• Language Requirement: If English is not your national language, then you are required to take TOEFL or IELTS test and show your English language proficiency.

Benefits

The educational award is divided into three categories fully funded grant (Tuition fee + 10 000 EUR), full tuition fee Grant, and study grant (10 000 EUR) which will have the tuition fees range from 13 000 to 18 000 Euros.

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The MHRD has invited applications for Italian Government Scholarship 2019-20 from eligible candidates. Ministry of Human Resource Development has announced that the last date to submit the application for scholarship on 30th May, 2019. The scholarship is meant for Indian Nationals for pursuing courses at various institutions and Universities in Italy. The grants under the scholarship programme will be provided for a duration of 6 or 9 months. Scholars already pursuing a multi-year degree course with satisfactory academic progress re eligible to apply for renewals. The grants for Italian Culture and Language Courses would, however, be awarded for a period of three months only.

Eligible applicants will be required to apply on Italian Government website as well as MHRD scholarship portal (Sakshat portal) separately. All the applicants will need to upload a copy of application submitted on Italian Government website, on the MHRD Sakshat portal as a step toeards the completion of application process.

The Italian Government Scholarship 2019-20 will be awarded for candidates will to pursue - Master's Degree courses/Courses of Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance/ Research under Academic Supervision/ Italian Language and Culture Courses/ Ph.D courses. The scholarships would in the disciplines of Architecture, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nanotechnologies, Art, Dance, Music and Italian Language and Culture.

All the applicants are required to fulfil the required minimum eligibility criteria for various courses. For a scholarship in Master's Degree, applicants must possess the Bachelor's degree in the applicant's country of origin his/her age must not exceed 28 years as on 30th May, 2019. Applicants for PhD Program require to fulfil the academic qualifications and entry requirements established by the Italian University/Institute. Candidates willing to apply for PH.D program scholarship also need to provide a letter of acceptance on behalf of the Italian University/institute they are applying to. Candidates for Ph.D program must not be more than 30 years of age as on 30th May, 2019. Applicants for Research under academic supervision are required to submit the letter of admission on behalf of the host University/Institute. Candidates applying for this program must not be more than 40 years of age as on 30th May, 2019.

For Courses of higher Education in Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM), applicants must fulfil the entry requirements and possess requisite academic qualifications established by the relevant University/Institute. Applicants applying for Italian Language and Culture Course must provide a certificate of their proficiency in the Italian language. Such candidates must have atleast completed the A2 level examinations within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CLFR). The age of candidates for both these courses must not exceed 28 years as on 30th May, 2019.h

The Newcastle University Business School is inviting postgraduate applicants for taking part in the Enterprise and Innovation program in the UK.

This bursary is available for the high achievement applicants from the UK and EU and having a purpose of support them financially in their studies.

Review

The Newcastle Business School focuses on student-centred, research-driven teaching needed to sustain a successful career that is based on life-long learning. It is the University of Newcastle's centre for undergraduate, postgraduate and community business education.

Why at the Newcastle University Business School? At this university, students will get the teaching excellence in higher education which is helpful in building a bright future. After studying here, they will get many great opportunities for employability at anywhere in the World.

Application Deadline: July 31, 2019

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: UK and EU candidates are worthy for this position.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: They can apply for an MSc in Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship or the MA in Arts, Business and Creativity at the university.
• Admissible Criteria: An applicant must be wholly or partially self-financing.

How to Apply

• How to apply: To gain the benefits from this program, participants are encouraged to take admission in a postgraduate degree course at the university. After taking admission they need to complete the application form and send it through email to [email protected]
• Supporting Documents: No supporting documents demanded by the university but it can ask for some personal and academic information at the time of admission.
• Admission Requirements: Successful candidates must have a bachelor's degree.
• Language Requirement: Students must have a good articulate in the English language.

Benefits: The educational award will cover the tuition fee which worth £3,000.

It is very important that if you want to go to college or university, you look into whether there are scholarships out there for you. Additionally, you need to learn how to make sure that you have more chances of being successful in your application for scholarship as well. The reality is that scholarships are vital to ensuring students become successful in what they do because college and university education programs are incredibly expensive. Indeed, tuition is continuously on the rise, by an average of 5% a year above inflation. This is true for both public and private educational institutions.

Additionally, it is unlikely that your parents will have been able to save up for your college education. Once upon a time, this was something parents did, but the economy has been so bad for so long that "college saving funds" are a thing of the past. Whatever money is left in that fund is generally not enough to cover any of the major costs.

Furthermore, the cost of living is increasing as well. Most college and university students need to move out, which means they have to pay for room and board as well. Unfortunately, this is yet another expense that most of us are unable to afford. To make things worse, there is less and less state support available for students, which means that public services have been cut tremendously. Finally, when we consider that 25% of the people in America have $700 billion in debt on their student loans, it becomes clear why applying for a scholarship is so important.

Reading all these statistics, it may seem as if it is not worth getting an education. However, this is not true. The majority of people are now able to get work again in their field of study and they earn back any student debt that they have accumulated. This is particularly true in the field of nursing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of nursing is projected to grow by around 20% by 2020 and the salary expectations will grow alongside with that. The more education someone has, the higher their salary expectations can be.

There are many scholarships available for people who want to enter the nursing profession. Many scholarships focus on minority and underrepresented parts of society. Within nursing, this often includes men. Nursing is still a female-dominated profession and there is a strong drive towards making the profession more interesting for men. As such, there are also a number of scholarships available specifically for men. Let's take a look at some of these.

American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN)

The majority of male-only scholarships are provided by the American Assembly for Men in Nursing. They access a range of funding sources every year, including some made available by Johnson & Johnson, and offer scholarships designed exclusively for men. Although there are only a few options out there, it is definitely worth trying for each of these.

1. Jadeh Marselis-Moore Student Nurse Essay Contest

This is a $500 scholarship designed for undergraduate students. In order to be able to apply, students have to be AAMN members and the program they want to study towards must lead to an NCLEX-RN examination. In order to apply, students must already have completed and financed an academic term in the field of nursing. They also need to write a 500-word essay on the topic of "Why I choose nursing as a career." Each year, the topic changes, however, and students must remain aware of what the new topic is.

2. MurseWorld Student Nurse Essay Contest

The MurseWorld scholarship also provides $500 and is also for undergraduate students. Again, applicants must be AAMN members and must be studying in an accredited program, and must have completed one academic term. The essay subject is generally the same as the Jadeh Marselis-Moore one and changes every year as well.

3. $500 AAMN Foundation Student Nurse Essay Contest

This is another $500 undergraduate scholarship, but only six are handed out each year. The same terms apply as with the previous two scholarships and the essay topic is the same again. As always, the topic changes yearly.

4. $1000 AAMN Foundation Student Nurse Essay Contest

This is a $1,000 scholarship and only two are awareded each year. Applicants must be AAMN members and must already hold a BSN. The topic is the same as with the previous three and changes yearly as well.

There are also a number of excellent scholarship programs that can be awarded to all students, men and women alike. Although this means that as a prospective male nurse, you will have to compete with far more applicants as women will apply too, they can still be very interesting. Let's take a look at the three best ones.

5. Emergency Nurses Association's Assistance

Through the Emergency Nurses Association, students can receive assistance during their educational program, either when they are already studying or if they are just starting. They have, to-date, handed out around $1.5 million and much of this has gone to male students. The group focuses on continuous education and they have offered short-term help to those who wish to gain extra certification. Additionally, the ENA has an annual leadership conference, and a select number of students are sponsored to attend this.

6. Braintrack Scholarships

Through BrainTrack, students can receive financial assistance towards their educational expenses, but only for those on LPN or RN tracks. However, more and more money is being made available for those who want to study further and achieve their master's or even doctorate degree. The group advocates for Hispanic students in particular and hands out two scholarships to the first and second place winners, of $1,000 and $500, respectively. They have a number of eligibility requirements and applicants must submit an essay on a set topic.

7. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

Through the help of Tylenol, students have been awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. These are handed out to those who show a true dedication to the field of health care. Every year, aid is given to 40 students and the amount they get depends on their academic performance, the leadership activities they are involved in and how much they have done for their community. There is a particular encouragement towards male health care students.

Finally, there are a number of scholarships that are awarded particularly to minorities. These are often minorities in terms of ethnic background, but if you happen to be of that ethnic background as well as being a male, you will have far more chances of being awarded the scholarship. Some of the better ones include:

8. National Association of Hispanic Nurses has a number of local charters where members can be awarded as much as $8,000 per scholarship. Every year, around $40,000 is awarded through their Health Foundation. Additionally, they have partnered with companies such as Lilly, through which they are able to hand out even more money.

9. San Diego Black Nursing Association. Obviously, this association offers assistance to African-American students. They must have a good standing within that organization and have to have been in school for at least six months.

10. Hispanic Scholarship Fund, which offers scholarships for Latino students. The HSF is the largest organization of its kind in the country. They offer not just financial awards but also have a range of assistance programs for direct education.

11. Gates Millennium Scholars Program, which is designed for minority students who have proven to be high achievers. The awards are incredibly generous, but have very stringent requirements. Students are only eligible if they are of an ethnic minority, a U.S. citizen, have a GPA of at least 3.3, are studying towards their first degree, have leadership qualities, can apply for Pell Grants and have completed a full application.

12. National Black Nurses Association offers up to $2,000. This is awarded to those who have received reference letters from their teachers, have demonstrated to have a true aptitude for nursing and are taking part in relevant extracurricular activities.

13. National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations provides scholarships together with AETNA.

14. Philippine Nurses Association of America provides scholarships for students who have demonstrated outstanding performance. Scholarships are available both for those in graduate and post graduate nursing degree programs. Awards are up to $1,000.

It is very important to understand that the majority of scholarships that are out there are not exclusively for men. However, they aren't designed solely for women either. Any applicant has an equal chance of getting the award, regardless of their gender. However, the reality is still that the profession of nursing is very female-dominated and this puts male applicants for minority scholarships in particular ahead in terms of being awarded the grant.