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WHEELING -- The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, on behalf of the Tikkun Olam Scholarship of Temple Beth Israel of Steubenville Fund, has announced the fund's first recipients have been named.
The Tikkun Olam Scholarship was established by the former members of the Temple Beth Israel in Steubenville as a way to continue to give back to the community by providing assistance to selected graduating seniors from Steubenville High School, Indian Creek High School, Weir High School and Brooke High School who are majoring in a healing occupation.
Tikkun Olam is a central tenet of Judaism which translates to healing a broken world, a value that transcends religious boundaries, officials said. In addition to academic and background information, applicants also are asked to provide an essay which details career aspirations, life goals and motivation for pursuing a career that would demonstrate the values of Tikkun Olam. The essay, along with a resume of academic achievements and community involvement, assists the committee in the review-and-selection process. Each eligible school maintains an approved selection committee comprised of guidance counselors and selected staff.
The 2017 recipients are:
¯ Austen Duggan, a graduate of Steubenville High School, is attending Franciscan University of Steubenville. He plans to major in biology, minor in math and then continue to medical school. His goal is to specialize in allergies and immunology as he was diagnosed with a food allergy just last year. He aspires to help people manage food allergies and assist in the achievement of better health.
¯ Amberle Orlando, a graduate of Indian Creek High School, is majoring in nursing at the University of Akron. Inspired at a young age to help others, she serves as a junior member of the Wintersville Volunteer Fire Department and has experienced the importance of compassion in stressful situations. She notes not being able to imagine doing anything else and looks forward to helping and healing others.
¯ Kali Potock, a graduate of Weir High School, is pursuing nursing at Duquesne University. She aspires to be a nurse anesthetist and looks forward to collaborating across disciplines to create comfortable and safe surgical experiences for future patients.
¯ Eden Rice is a graduate of Brooke High School and is majoring in psychology and social work at Bethany College. She has a love for horses and has experience in all aspects of the equine world. She plans to turn a hobby into a career by eventually opening an equine therapeutic riding facility. In her essay, Rice mentions she hopes to help people heal from emotional and physical abuse through equine activities and therapeutic programs.
"We are pleased to make such generous awards on behalf of this CFOV scholarship fund," said Susie Nelson, executive director of the CFOV. "The donors felt strongly about creating a meaningful and value-driven opportunity for local students that would enable the legacy of their former congregation to continue for years to come," Nelson added.
Applications for the Tikkun Olam Scholarship will be available in December through the foundation's website, www.cfov.org, and guidance offices of involved schools.
Since 1972, the CFOV has connected donors who care with causes that matter by making grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life in the Upper Ohio Valley. With assets of more than $43 million, the foundation assisted in making more than $2 million in grants last year. From strengthening community schools and assisting local arts programs, to building health centers and helping lives affected by violence or natural disasters, the foundation continues to enhance our region, according to Nelson.