The Garland County single parent scholarship fund committee awards 39 scholarships

Pictured in GCSPSF2: The GCSPSF Committee pictured from left to right: Carla Mouton, Suzanne Wiltgen (Arkansas SPSF Representative), Sylvia Chudy, Lisa Carey (NPCC Director of Development), Bob Megahan, Charlotte Gold, Debbie DeLee, Lee Ann Branch (GCSPSF Chair), and Ann Hair. Not pictured: Karen Garcia, Brenda Cox, Aundrea Crary, Bill Horgan and Ray Delee.

Left to Right: Tiffany Kriigel, Kaila Williams, Stephanie Parks, Kim Manning, Mouna Holland, Melody Harris, Christina Nylund, Cindy Medina, Marcie Fortanelli, Charlie Bobus and Rick Bonte from City Plumbing, Heating & Electric, Amy Thomason from HSV Rotary, Marcia Garner, Barbara Van Alsburg, Mary Jana Muldoon, Heather Daniels, Sara Tadlock, Melissa Bruce, Ashely Moore, Michelle Grubbs, and Mercedes Phillips. Not pictured: Amber Ammons, Anthony Harrison, Amber Kilpatrick, Michael Lamon, Amber Montgomery, Tamra Nosler, Nicole Pate, Rachel Tapp, Sharlene Thomas, Linda Tran, Kelisha Waters, Kaesha Willis, and Faleasha Young. 

The Garland County Single Parent Scholarship Fund Committee (GCSPSF) recently honored its scholarship recipients with a morning reception held at National Park Community College (NPCC). The GCSPSF Committee provided 39 single parents of Garland County with scholarships for the fall semester. 

The reception began with opening remarks from NPCC President Dr. Sally Carder. Carder applauded the recipients for working to better provide for their families through education and conceded that, “it is because of scholarships that I am where I am today.” Scholarships awarded by the GCSPSF encourage students’ success by providing financial assistance that can not only be used for tuition, but also for transportation, child care, medical expenses, school supplies, books and fees, and housing.

Cindy Medina expressed her gratitude in a letter of thanks saying, “Attending school to pursue my dreams while working two jobs and raising a teenager has many challenges, but when others believe in me such as this committee, it helps me to know it’s all worth it.”

Without an education, many single parents will depend upon food stamps, HUD housing, Medicaid, and other government assistance, even while they are working. The most effective way to help single parents become self-sufficient is to empower them through education to prepare for careers that will sustain their families. The GCSPSF provides scholarships to men and women of Garland County who demonstrate financial need, are a single parent, and are enrolled in a post-secondary educational course of study leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate of graduation.

Financial provisions for the GCSPSF come through fundraisers held by the GCSPSF Committee, grants, matching funds, and donations from area businesses such as City Plumbing, Heating and Electric and through organizations like Hot Springs Village Rotary. The Garland County Single Parent Scholarship Fund is a great opportunity for businesses to give back to the community and help single parents complete their education. For information on how to apply for the scholarship or to make donations, please contact Lisa Carey, NPCC Director of Development, at (501)760-4129 or email her at lcarey@npcc.edu.