Coastal Georgetown AAUW awards three scholarships

The Coastal Georgetown Branch of the American Association of University Women awarded three $2,000 academic scholarships to high school seniors from Sussex County. The recipients are Katie Fields, a Sussex Tech graduate who will attend Seton Hall University; Adamari Rodriguez, a Sussex Central graduate who will attend the University of Delaware; and Paige Troublefield, an Indian River graduate who will attend Towson University.

The recipients received their scholarships at their schools’ academic awards ceremonies. They were celebrated at a June luncheon at Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach. The awards were presented by Kathleen Thompson, Coastal Georgetown AAUW president; Linda Gourley, scholarship committee chair; and Rebecca Moscoso, scholarship committee liaison.

All female seniors from the county's high schools were eligible to apply for the scholarships. The scholarship committee received 62 applications, which included academic transcripts, personal essays and letters of recommendation. Gourley said, "It was very difficult to narrow our selection to just three recipients. All of the applications were outstanding, and there were so many talented and deserving young women. Their dedication to their studies and extracurricular activities was truly impressive. We wish that we could have awarded scholarships to all 62 young women."

In addition to the scholarships, three Coastal Georgetown AAUW members will mentor the recipients one-on-one during their freshman year. Gourley said, "College freshmen face so many challenges and pressures. The mentors provide an additional resource when academic or adjustment questions arise. Our past recipients have appreciated this extra measure of support, and they and their mentors have become quite close during the process."

All of the branch's fundraising efforts go directly to funding the scholarships. Gourley said, "Providing scholarships to deserving young women is at the heart of our mission, and we look forward to reading more exceptional applications from the class of 2018."

The Coastal Georgetown Branch of the American Association of University Women has been a part of the local community since 1957. With more than 135 members, the branch is part of state and national AAUW chapters, whose mission is to advance equity for women and girls in the areas of education, advocacy, philanthropy and research. The branch holds monthly luncheon meetings and annual scholarship fundraisers, sponsors several book clubs, and hosts economics and foreign policy study groups. All women with an associate's degree or higher are invited to join. For more information, go to www.georgetown-de.aauw.net.