press release
Second Schwallie Family Scholarship Winners Announced
When OAR first decided in September 2007 to begin a scholarship program available to individuals on the spectrum pursuing post-secondary undergraduate degrees or certification via trade schools or technical and vocational training programs, it was never imagined that over 80 individuals would apply within the relatively short time frame. This year, that number has more than doubled to over 190 individuals applying for one of the five available $3,000 scholarships.
Of these five awards, OAR awarded two in the category of a four-year undergraduate college or university; two to individuals attending a two-year undergraduate college; and one to an individual attending a trade, technical, or vocational school to the following students.
1) Four-year undergraduate college or university winners:
Hannah M. Anderson is from Cortland Manor, NY and will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. She is pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering Technology and wishes to use this to advance the field of Robotics. Besides her love of mathematics, Hannah enjoys many activities both in an out of school including being a member of a local dance studio, a volunteer for the Amnesty International at her church, a member of the Leo Club, and the secretary of her school's Weather Club.
Jonathan Devon Spencer, from Palmdale, CA, will be attending the University of California, Merced, this fall where he will be obtaining his Bachelor's degree in history. After which, Jonathan plans to go on to receive a Masters and Doctorate degree in Education in hopes of becoming a history or elementary school teacher. Proving his dedication to the education of his peers, he assumed the role of Commissioner in a leadership and mentoring program called Link Crew. Jonathan also has extensive volunteer experience in his community, including volunteering for the Children's Planning Council Foundation and the Service Planning Area 1.
2) Two-year undergraduate college winners:
Hillora Mae Lang is from Hampstead, NC and will be attending Cape Fear Community College, working to obtain a degree as a Medical Transcriptionist. After which, it is her plan to continue her education and receive a Bachelor's Degree in writing. According to Hillora, this will help her to "accomplish my goal of writing books which will benefit everyone in the autistic-spectrum community and the world." Aside from her love of writing, Hillora has found satisfaction in caring for animals, and has dedicated much of her time as the volunteer coordinator for a feral cat sanctuary and serves as a co-chairperson for the Ruffian Foundation Feral Cat Sanctuary development committee.
Blake Moomau, from Annapolis, MD, will be attending Anne Arundel Community College in the fall. There, he will be working towards his Associate's Degree in mass communications and would eventually like to pursue a career in radio broadcasting. During his high school years Blake fostered his love of sports as he played on both softball and basketball teams and became one of his school's TV sports broadcasters on the daily morning show while working for the Bowie Baysox, a local minor league baseball team.
3) Trade, technical or vocational school winner:
Bradley Dale Sarko is from Burghill, OH and will be attending the Columbus Culinary Institute at Bradford School. There, he will be learning to do what he enjoys most: cooking. His passion for cooking started when he was only in middle school, and became clearer to him as he worked his way up to the position of General Manager of his school's restaurant. With this degree, Bradley hopes to be able to travel the world as a chef.
Congratulations again to Hannah, Jonathan, Hillora, Blake, and Bradley!
OAR would like to thank OAR Board member Ed Schwallie, his wife, Marge, and the Schwallie family for developing and funding this greatly-needed program. In addition, OAR is grateful to the reviewers that had the most difficult job of narrowing down almost 200 well-deserving applicants to five finalists. Last, but most certainly not least, OAR thanks everyone that has donated to OAR’s Scholarship Fund Drive earlier this year. It is OAR's hope that the number of awards given each year will continue to increase as awareness and support for this program grows. For more information on donating, please visit http://www.researchautism.org/support/donate/index.asp.
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ABOUT OAR: The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is a national, nonprofit organization formed and led by relatives of children and adults with autism and Asperger Syndrome. OAR is dedicated to promoting research that can be applied to help families, educators, caregivers, and individuals with autism find much-needed answers to their immediate and urgent questions. To find out more about OAR please go to: www.researchautism.org
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