Sunday, June 29, 2008

Scholarship Awarded



The Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women has awarded a $100 scholarship to Amy Tate of Boones Mill. The award, presented to a woman over thirty who has returned to college following an absence of several years, is to be used for incidental expenses related to attending school.

Tate, who’d majored in journalism major at Liberty University, left in 1993 when her major was no longer offered. After marrying and having two children, she enrolled last year in the Horizon Program at Hollins University where she studied poetry and fiction writing as well as 17th & 18th century literature. Eventually, she would like to write children’s literature—especially historical fiction for young people.

Applicants for the scholarship had to take at least one class in art, music, dance, or writing. They were required to submit a letter of interest, proof of acceptance at a college, and a work sample. Tate submitted two essays.

Of Tate’s writing sample, the Roanoke Valley Pen Women president and contest co-chair, Dr. Peggy Shifflett said, “I like her writing style and I believe she shows promise as a future writer. Shifflett noted that the other work samples “pale in comparison to Amy Tate’s original writing.”

Becky Mushko, Roanoke Valley Pen Women vice-president and the other contest co-chair, recused herself from voting at the June 4 Pen Women’s meeting because she and Tate know each other. The other members in attendance, after examining the applications, unanimously voted for Tate as the first recipient of what will become an annual award.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Last Meeting until September

Today the Roanoke Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women held our last meeting of the season. We'll resume our meetings on September 3, at our usual meeting place—the Daily Grind in Salem.

Today, we met at Pat Bijwaard's house, and she provided both a wonderful lunch and a wonderful program on delft tiles.


Among her tiles are these in her kitchen:


At most meetings, we have a program by an artist, craftsperson, or author. Today, we discussed possible programs for next year. We will soon contact the people suggested and have our program list in a month or two.

We also selected the recipient of our scholarship from a handful of applicants. Because I knew one of the applicants, I recused myself from voting. However, the vote by the others in attendance was unanimous: Amy Tate of Boones Mill is the winner of our $100 scholarship to be used for incidentals. She attends Hollins University in the Horizon program.

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