A Look at Five Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Funding for A-B Tech Foundation Scholarships came from a variety of sources, and this month's featured students have benefited from financial awards created by various education-based groups and associations.
Vivian Cunningham, awarded the American Association of University Women Annual Scholarship, was anticipating a comfortable retirement after working for 30 years, but discovered she needed additional income. Inspired by her work with children in a Bible School program in Guatemala, Vivian decided to return to school to become a teacher. She will graduate with an Associate in Science degree in August and will continue her studies in Elementary Education at Western Carolina University.
Roseann Iacovazzi wanted to start her nursing career nearly 20 years ago, but instead of pursuing her education, she had to work to support herself and daughter. She found employment that fringed upon the fields of health care - caring for the elderly, cooking meals for cancer patients and working with Hospice - but it wasn't her true dream. Today, Roseann, recipient of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel Annual Scholarship, is finally working toward her nursing degree and expects to graduate in May 2005.
June Ingle was selected for a Phi Theta Kappa Annual Scholarship, the first student organization-funded scholarship at A-B Tech, and a scholarship she helped establish as a PTK officer. June, who would like to become a Buncombe County Magistrate, has already been accepted at Western Carolina University and will major in Criminal Justice. Recognized on the President's List, June was the 2002 Student of the Year in Criminal Justice Technology.
Teresa Payne, the Altrusa Annual Scholarship recipient, is a full-time nursing student maintaining a 4.0 GPA while dealing with the additional responsibilities of being a wife, mother, daughter and sister. And she still finds time to coach in youth recreational sports leagues and remain active in her church. Teresa hopes to earn a bachelor's degree at Western Carolina University and work in an Asheville-area community health program.
Shannon Riley, graduating with high honors this month, was the recipient of the Children's Welfare League Endowment. She has already completed one semester at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, pursuing a psychology degree. Shannon plans to attend graduate school and would like to work in prison reform.
Instructor Writes Book About Her Father's World War II Experience
Instructor Becky Sroda (right) wrote a book about her father's experiences in World War II, and enlisted the help of Justin Page from the Communications Office to design the book.
When Becky Sroda decided to write a book about her father's experience in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II, the teacher became the student.
An instructor in the Allied Dental programs by day, Becky says three events occurred over two decades that convinced her to write the book, published in 2003 under the title Falling Down for the Count: The Letters and Diaries of Albert Williams from 1943-1945.
The first was the discovery 19 years ago of her father's Kriege Book, a collection of pen and ink drawings, poems and notes from his days as a prisoner of war, which he planned to throw away when he cleaned out the basement. The second was the discovery of shoeboxes filled with cards and letters sent home by her father and his brother, and saved at their sister's insistence. The third was the arrival in the mail of her father's journal, preserved by his first sergeant and a crewmember after he was taken prisoner. "If not for these three simple twists of fate, this book would not exist," she says.
Despite feeling destined to pen the book, Becky says she struggled with the enormity of the project for several years until she took a creative writing class with English Instructor Sandi Goodridge. "Sandi made me think I could do this. She made me think I was a good writer. After that experience, I picked the book up and I didn't stop, so I have to give her a lot of credit for me finishing it."
Designed by Justin Page of A-B Tech's Communications Office, Falling Down for the Count has earned excellent reviews from crewmembers who served with Becky's father and led to booksignings in several states and a radio interview.
"He's 81, and he's been through three heart attacks and seven artery bypasses," Becky says of her father. "I wanted to give him his 15 minutes of fame with friends and family. He's having so much fun with this, I'm glad I did it. He's a celebrity in St. Clare Shore, MI."
For information on obtaining a copy of Falling Down for the Count, visit Amazon.com or Trafford.com, or call Becky at ext. 267.
Student Art Exhibit Reception
The Art Department is hosting a reception in honor of the first-ever juried curriculum student art show. The exhibit runs the entire month of May in the downtown Asheville Area Arts Council's Front Gallery, and the reception will be held at the gallery from 5-8 p.m. on May 7. Refreshments will be served and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
Skye the Scofflaw?!
Skye Myrick (left), Executive Director of Occupational and Public Service Training Programs, makes a phone call to raise bail money after being 'arrested' by Louis Quinn (right) on April 22 as part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Lock-Up.
Myrick, who did an hour of 'hard time' at the Renaissance Hotel, raised more than $350 dollars to benefit the MDA's local health care service program and worldwide research efforts.
Do You Prefer Printed?
If you would like to receive a printed copy of Tech Talk, please e-mail Mona Cornwell at MCornwell@abtech.edu to put your name on a list of subscribers.