Concord, NH - The College Equals Opportunity (CEO) program recently recognized four NH college students for their leadership qualities and academic talent by awarding each a $5,000 scholarship. CEO is a statewide public awareness campaign sponsored by the NHHEAF Network Organizations that highlights the college experiences of NH business leaders. Since its inception in 2004, CEO has awarded $85,000 in scholarships. This year, nine New Hampshire business leaders contributed to the program including:
Jeff Feingold, Editor, NH Business Review
Alyson Pitman Giles, CEO, Catholic Medical Center
Sebastian Grasso, President, The Windham Group
Mary Ellen Jackson, Executive Director, NH Center for Nonprofits
Thomas Raffio, President & CEO, Northeast Delta Dental
Charles Rolecek, President, The Premier Companies
Deborah Scire, Executive Director, Campus Compact of NH
Alison Stebbins, Regional General Manager, Fidelity Investments
Erin Zaldastani, President and CEO, Windham Professionals
The scholarships were awarded at the annual scholarship breakfast on May 14 which featured guest speakers from the PBS series, Roadtrip Nation, a national movement that gives college students the opportunity to travel the globe in a green RV to ask successful business leaders about the trials and tribulations that led to their success in life. A panel of successful NH CEO's participated including: Jeanine Tanner (J.T.) O'Donnell, a career coach and workplace consultant dedicated to helping workers find greater professional satisfaction; Matt Pierson, an angel investor and Board member of numerous nonprofit and for-profit companies including the NH High Technology Council; and Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of the Heritage United Way who is responsible for strategic direction and implementation of annual campaigns.
Memorable career advice passed along to all in attendance included the reminder from Pierson that it is okay to reinvent oneself and look for opportunity, "I'm never comfortable, I'm always learning more and wanting more." O'Donnell added, "It is ok not to know; it is a continual life path," and that, "You're nothing but a long-term temporary, so keep searching for what fulfills you in life." Tufts noted that he felt successful only after, "I stopped being afraid of making mistakes," and encouraged students to "be willing to take risks."
The four scholarship recipients were:
Bridget Burke of Rollinsford, NH is entering her junior year at the College of the Holy Cross. Throughout her education, she has enjoyed the subject of mathematics, but participates in diverse activities at Holy Cross including hosting her own radio show. Bridget noted that beyond her parents, it was a caring and interested high school teacher who made the most significant and positive impact in her life and helped guide her to Holy Cross. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and hopes to own her own business one day.
Regina Labounty of Claremont, NH will be a junior at Granite State College majoring in Science and working towards her Teacher Certification. She dedicates much of her time to volunteering within her community in programs such as Sew Much Comfort, a group that collects and alters clothing for veterans; Coats for Kids and the Reading First Program. She is dedicated to helping others in her local community and works to embrace people that need a helping hand. Receiving her degree will allow her to achieve her life aspiration of continuing to, "enable, encourage, empower and enhance our educational delivery system to need children and their families."
Khiet Nguyen of Manchester, NH will be a senior at Dartmouth College. Khiet emigrated from Vietnam and quickly became a strong contributor to her community, regularly assisting with translation for other Vietnamese immigrants. She hopes to someday be an effective leader in her community and be able to dedicate more of her time to serving others. She aspires to be a human rights lawyer to combat human trafficking and fight against the exploitation of human beings. Within these aspirations she hopes to be able, "stand up and defend human dignity for those whose voices are silenced."
Kayla Shepherd of Manchester, NH is entering her junior year at Suffolk University majoring in Public Relations. She actively participates in the Best Buddies program at Suffolk University, working with mentally disabled children. Throughout life, Kayla strives to positively impact the world around her. When asked what she would do with her life if given the opportunity to choose anything, she responded, "My ultimate goal in life is to lobby for higher quality and equal public education. I hope to help revitalize one poor performing school at a time, so that all children have the benefit of a sound education and the opportunities that naturally follow."
To learn more about the CEO program, visit www.nhceo.biz or contact the NHHEAF Network Organizations at 800.525.2577.
The NHHEAF Network Organizations are comprised of four 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations that provide students and families with the resources and funding to pursue higher education aspirations. Funds generated by the Organizations make their charitable mission possible as student loan earnings are reinvested in programs and services that benefit citizens of New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.nhheaf.org.
Posted 05/16/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.
