VFW AUXILIARY ANNOUNCES 2021 CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Four $1,000 scholarships awarded, one in each of the Auxiliary Conferences
Kansas City, Mo., May 4, 2021 – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) Auxiliary is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Continuing Education Scholarship contest. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded, one in each of the Auxiliary Conferences.
Sophia Pisegna was named the winner of the Big Ten Conference. Pisegna, an Annual member of VFW Auxiliary 1662 in Amherst, Ohio, is studying nursing at Lorain County Community College, a course of study she hopes will one day lead to work in an emergency/trauma center and later, becoming a flight nurse for Life Flights.
For Pisegna, continuing to serve her community by completing her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, is a natural progression. She grew up in a family of VFW and VFW Auxiliary members, joined the Auxiliary as soon as she could at age 16, took on leadership roles, and has dedicated much of her life to giving back to veterans and her community.
Veronica McLaughlin was named the winner of the Eastern Conference. McLaughlin, an Annual member of VFW Auxiliary 1424 in Marienville, Pennsylvania, always wanted to grow up to be just like her dad, a compassionate and committed Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who worked as a nurse outside of his military service. Like her father, McLaughlin is also on track to become a nurse. She is currently enrolled at Robert Morris University and wants to go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
“I obtained my National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians license in high school through an accelerated program,” she said. “…This scholarship will be very beneficial for me…I want to finish my practical nursing degree this year and continue to keep chasing my dreams to be able to obtain my nursing license and be able to serve my community.”
Uriah Windley was named the winner of the Southern Conference. Windley, an Annual member of VFW Auxiliary 3650 in Fayetteville, Georgia, is working toward realizing his dream of becoming a registered nurse at Georgia Baptist College.
“I dream of having and RN at the end of my job title,” he said. “I imagine myself giving 100% to 100% of my patients no matter the race, culture lifestyle, origin or nationality. With this scholarship, it helps me get a few steps closer.”
Jordan Grewell was named winner of the Western Conference. Grewell, an Annual member of VFW Auxiliary 5748 in Joliet, Montana, attends Montana State University where she is studying animal science, and plans to go on to attend veterinary school and one day own her own veterinary practice.
“I love working with animals and as a veterinarian, I would be able to help my community in a big way since there are so many people who raise livestock and need a veterinarian,” she said. “I am also committed to achieving these goals so I can pay off all of my debt to my parents, the government and all those who have helped me.”
Established in 2005, the Continuing Education Scholarship assists Auxiliary members and their immediate family members (spouse, son or daughter) who wish to further their education by pursuing a college degree or career direction at a vocational/technical school. For more information about VFW Auxiliary scholarships, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
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The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and our members are the relatives of those who have served in a location of foreign conflict. We have nearly 470,000 members nationwide who volunteer millions of hours and fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans, military service personnel and their families.
Through our National Programs, we assist the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families, provide nearly a half million volunteer hours in the VA medical system, conduct patriotic programs with thousands of students and offer hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth. With more than 3,600 Auxiliaries, there is likely one in your area working to improve the lives of America’s uncommon heroes.