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.

Scholarship Available

Roanoke Valley Branch—National League of American Pen Women

Scholarship Requirements:

The Roanoke Valley Pen Women will grant a scholarship of a minimum $100 to a woman age thirty or older who has either returned to college or entered college for the first time, and who is taking one or more classes for credit in the arts, letters, or music at a college or university within 75 miles of Roanoke.

The money is to be used either for supplies (textbooks, art supplies, paper, software, etc.) or for other expenses related to college attendance.

Women interested in receiving the grant for fall 2008 must apply to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women on or before May 2, 2008. The application should include the following:

1. Statement of interest:
Contact information at top of page: name, address, phone, email.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s reason for taking the class or returning to school.
A paragraph explaining the recipient’s career goals.
2. A work sample in one of the following:
Letters: an example (2-10 pages) of either published or unpublished fiction (short story, novel excerpt), non-fiction (article, essay), poetry (three poems) or a combination thereof.
Arts: CD or DVD of jpegs of artwork (paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, photographs, etc.).
Music (composer, performer, choreographer): CD or DVD of performance.
Applicants who want work samples returned should provide a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage.
3. Verification of class enrollment or college acceptance (a photocopy of acceptance letter, student ID, or receipt for payment of tuition).

The scholarship recipient is encouraged to report back to the Roanoke Valley Pen Women, either by mail/email or as a guest at a future Pen Women meeting to inform the membership how the scholarship helped her accomplish a goal.

Send applications to Becky Mushko, 8 Listening Hill Road, Penhook, VA, 24137 or to Peggy Shifflett, c/o Cottage Curio, 622 Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153.