(left to right) Chair/Founder of 3rd Federal Bank Rosemarie McMenamin, scholarship recipients William Lawrence, Aaron Horwitz, Nicholas Pables, Krista Patterson, William Dalton, Rita Marie Elmer, James Dalton, Christina Whitaker, Andrew Thum, David Greene, and WomanForward Committee Chair Collette McBratney at the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Scholarship dinner at Edgemont Caterers, Monday, June 25, 2012, Philadelphia, Pa. (Maria Pouchnikova)
The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Foundation last week honored 10 local college students with $1,000 scholarships.
The recipients include three recent high school graduates: David Greene (La Salle High, Temple), Christina Whitaker (Franklin Towne Charter, Holy Family) and Krista Patterson (St. Hubert, University of Pennsylvania).
In addition, awards went to seven current college students: William Lawrence (Temple), Andrew Thum (La Salle), James Dalton (Temple), William Dalton (Temple), Rita Marie Elmer (Holy Family), Nicholas Pables (King’s College) and Aaron Horwitz (Yeshivat Sha’alvim in Israel).
The young people were honored on June 25 during a dinner, complete with cake and desserts, at Edgemont Caterers in Bridesburg.
The foundation raises money each year during three events at Knowlton Mansion in Fox Chase. A Hail to the Chefs culinary event takes place in the spring.
WomenForward holds two luncheons, one in June and the other in December. The two most recent speakers were NBC 10 personality Tracy Davidson and Kathy Fitzpatrick, a teacher, mother of six and wife of U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.
Also this year, WomenForward will hold XLR8, a conference on Oct. 19 at Community College of Philadelphia’s Northeast Regional Center, to benefit the foundation.
The cost is $89 and includes breakfast, lunch, workshops, materials, networking, a keynote address by Davidson, a presentation by lifestyle expert Susan Matthews and live music.
Rose McMenamin, a vice president at 3rd Fed Bank, is chairwoman of the foundation. Bob Wombwell is vice chairman.
Collette McBratney is chairwoman of WomenForward.
The scholarship contest is open to Northeast residents who attend college. They must write an essay about themselves and provide two letters of recommendation, either from an employer or teacher. They must have a grade point average of at least 3.2.
McMenamin said the winners all had GPAs of at least 3.5.
“Scholastically, they’re at the top of their game,” she said.
“All of these applicants are accomplished,” said Al Taubenberger, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and of the foundation’s board of directors. “These are young people aspiring to their dreams, and where we can help, we want to.”
The foundation has provided 45 scholarships since the program was established in 2007.
The deadline to apply for scholarships each year is April 22. Go to www.gnpccfoundation.org or visit the GNPCC Foundation page on Facebook. ••
