East of the River Chamber offering scholarships

Date: 1/26/2009

The East of the River Chamber of Commerce representing the towns of East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow and Wilbraham will award scholarships to area seniors.

The East Longmeadow/Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce Education Committee will review applications of East Longmeadow seniors who have been accepted and are entering an accredited college or technical school in September 2009. Candidates must have participated in a "job shadow" directly related to the career area explored.

In addition, applicants will be judged on extracurricular involvement, internships, externships, community service, work experience, academic performance and future plans. Applicants must complete questions on the application regarding career plans, personal goals and their job shadow experience.

Applications are available from Marc Maccarini in the East Longmeadow High School Career Center. Completed applications must be submitted by Feb. 27.

In Ludlow, candidates must be a high school senior residing in the town of Ludlow. Students attending Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School and Cathedral High School may apply as long as they are residents of Ludlow. Applicants must be accepted and entering an accredited college or technical school in September following high school graduation.

The Education Committee will be judging applicants on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service and/or work experience as well as answers to questions on the application. Each applicant will interview with the committee. Applications are available in the Guidance Department and must be submitted by March 13.

Seniors at Minnechaug Regional High School who participated in the Youth Entrepreneurial Scholars Program and have been accepted to and will be entering an accredited college/technical school in September 2009 are eligible for the Hampden/Wilbraham Chamber of Commerce scholarships. Candidates will be judged on extracurricular activities, community service and/or work experience, academic performance and application essays. Applicants will also be judged on the PowerPoint presentation business plan completed in the Entrepreneurial Program. Applications are available in the principal's office and with program coordinator Diane Jeserski. Applications must be submitted by April 17.

The East Longmeadow/Longmeadow, Hampden/Wilbraham and Ludlow Chambers host golf tournaments annually to fund the scholarship programs. Please mark your calendars and plan on participating in these extremely important fund raisers:

East Longmeadow/Longmeadow, Aug. 11, Elmcrest Country Club

Ludlow, Sept. 14, Ludlow Country Club

Hampden/Wilbraham, Oct. 2, Country Club of Wilbraham

For more information regarding East of the River Chamber of Commerce events and sponsorship opportunities visit the Events Calendar on the chamber's Web site, www.myonlinechamber.com, or contract ERC Director Sylvia Poole at 755-1318 or poole@myonlinechamber.com.