THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF VANCOUVER ANNOUNCE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS AT FIRST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

Scholarships Open Doors for Two Students Enrolled in SWWDC's Youth Program

The Young Professionals of Vancouver hosted its first annual Reach for the Stars scholarship dinner and silent auction on Saturday, November 15 at the Downtown Vancouver Hilton. The event raised more than $8,000 to fund two college scholarships for low-income youth enrolled in the Youth Workforce Program (YWP), which is funded by SWWDC and administered by Educational Service District 112 (ESD 112). Sponsors included: American Paper Converting, Bay Bank, Eric Fuller & Associates, iQ credit Union, NIES Insurance, Pacific Continental Bank, Peterson & Associates, Robertson & Olson Construction, Willamette University MBA.

The YPOV scholarships provide assistance to Clark County youth who do not otherwise have adequate resources to attend college and who have overcome significant barriers to achieve academic success.

The 2008 scholarship winners Ashley George and Brandon Nicholson were in attendance at the dinner and presented their future plans to the audience.

Ashley George struggled in school from the time she was a preteen. After transitioning between multiple schools and programs, she joined YWP. Working with her Youth Workforce Specialist, Ashley was able to graduate from high school one day before her 21st birthday and participate in the Youth Workforce Healthcare Academy at Southwest Washington Medical Center. She is now enrolled at Clark College, while also working part-time, on her way to becoming an X-Ray technician.

Brandon Nicholson was an up and coming basketball player in Colorado whose athletic career was cut short by a terrible car accident. After recovering from the accident, he moved to Vancouver. Through Battle Ground's Summit View High School and the YWP, Brandon graduated from Summit View last June and was placed in the summer Youth Workforce Business and Technology Academy. There he gained work experience in various administrative and business departments at the Washington State Department of Transportation. This experience made Brandon realize he wanted to pursue a career in business, and he is enrolling at Clark College for winter term.

Both George and Nicholson were selected for the scholarship on the basis of their character, the steps they have taken to overcome barriers, their academic record, and their motivation. They also met YPOV's criteria that they be enrolled in the YWP and participating in the active phase of the program at the time of scholarship award, have a diploma or GED, and reside in Clark County with intention to continue their education at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, full-time, beginning 2009.

YPOV President Tina Vlachos said, "We are proud of our 2008 scholarship winners for their significant accomplishments. And, we are happy to partner with SWWDC and YWP to continue to grow and develop the Vancouver workforce. Our youth scholarships are a wonderful way to do this"