Recipients who have received P.E.O. STAR Scholarships displayed outstanding leadership qualities in high school and continue to excel in their post-secondary pursuits.
THEN Catherine Ettman (Chapter HD, Pembroke Pines, Florida) was selected for a Congressional Internship in Washington, D.C., elected as Governor and Mayor of Florida Girls’ State in 2008 and accumulated more than 600 community service hours. NOW Catherine, a student at rinceton University, elected to serve as a class senator to the Undergraduate Student Government, continues to perform in musicals and participates in service opportunities working with underprivileged students.
THEN Elizabeth Cumbest (Chapter H, Gulfport, Mississippi) wrote and recorded her own CD with proceeds given to a homeless shelter for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. NOW she is attending the University of South Alabama and assisting at a mid-town Mobile, Alabama, church for local residents and the homeless. Additionally, she is helping to influence young people’s lives and raise awareness for the homeless by traveling, speaking and participating in programs offered through The United Methodist Church.
THEN Kathy Kroeger (Chapter AG, Franklin, Tennessee) was the first four-time cross country champion in Tennessee, recognized as a Wendy’s High School Heisman National Winner and Gatorade Female Track Athlete of the Year for Tennessee, named AP Scholar with Distinction and earned Independence High School’s Flying Eagle Award for Leadership. NOW Kathy is competing for the Stanford University cross country and track teams. She placed fifth in the NCAA women’s track meet receiving All-American honors and was also selected as the Outstanding Freshman runner for the Stanford team.
THEN Lauren Foley (Chapter DH, Tulsa, Oklahoma) was recognized as an accomplished cellist, excelled as a golfer and accumulated more than 300 volunteer hours of community service. NOW she has been selected as a member of the Oklahoma State University President’s Council, Freshman Research Scholar and member of the Symphonic Orchestra.
THEN Victoria Bennett (Chapter CD, Littleton, North Carolina) worked with abused children, traveled and volunteered on behalf of KIPP charter schools nationwide and received a prestigious Robertson Scholarship for combined studies at both the University of North Carolina and Duke. NOW after spending her summer as an Intern with the Georgia Justice Project in Atlanta helping clients find homes and provide supplies for their children, she is volunteering as a mentor and tutor for young students.
THEN Leah Tott (Chapter A, Seattle, Washington) played principal bassoonist for the Interlochen Center for the Arts Philharmonic, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and All-State Orchestra and was a finalist from Washington State for the National Symphony Orchestra. NOW having spent her summer in Quebec at a music festival/camp, she continues to compete in musical competitions and is a bassoonist with the University of Texas New Music Ensemble.
THEN Leah Hunter (Chapter EX, Medina, Ohio) served on her Senior Pastor Search Committee, was an officer and leader with the Ohio Association of Student Councils, received the Northeast Ohio Conference Scholar-Athlete Award and accumulated more than 1,000 school, church and community service volunteer hours. NOW she is an elected member of the student senate at Hiram College, has been elected to serve as one of five campus-wide officers, earned a varsity swimming letter and conducts guided tours of Hiram.
