One student recently completed firefighting training and now will start training to become an emergency medical technician. Another is pursuing a culinary arts degree and soon other students will have access to nursing scholarships.
These are among the success stories of The Villages Dollars for Scholars, which provides scholarships for students at Wildwood High School and The Villages Charter School.
Several of the group’s members met Thursday with representatives of Scholarship America, a national affiliate.
Since Dollars for Scholars began seven years ago, the group has raised more than $200,000 for scholarships that have benefited 69 students, said president Carol Lutgen.
“We have been very blessed,” she said.
Money is raised from donors and through events like “Starry – Starry 5,” the fifth year of what is described as a celebration of life, love and music to be held Nov. 8.
Other events include Dance with Suzie Casta on Sept. 26 and an Oct. 29 Halloween party, both at Lake Miona Recreation Center. The group, which has about 25 members and a few volunteers, raised about $75,000 over the past year.
Scholarship America named The Villages chapter as its 2013 chapter of the year in the 10-state Southeast Region and Lutgen was honored as volunteer of the year, said Nicole Alexander, area director of Dollars for Scholars.
“This is truly a unique chapter,” she said, praising the group’s “tremendous fund-raising and innovation.”
Alexander said the chapter benefits from dedicated retirees who want to support deserving students.
She and Sheila Terryl, Scholarship America’s director of special projects, were attending a conference in Orlando and wanted to meet with The Villages Dollars for Scholars members to get their feedback on various aspects of the scholarship process.
During an hour-long meeting, Alexander talked about the advantages of putting scholarship applications and other information online so it can help connect students with other scholarships and internships.
Alexander said a program focus is making sure that students complete their education without going deeply into debt.
“What we’re wanting to see is that students are not only getting in, but they’re completing it with a degree or certification that will lead to an income,” she said.
