Thanks to generous sponsors and ticket sales, local networking and support group Woman in Business, Inc. (WIB) raised over $3,500 toward its annual Scholarship Fund with a recent fundraiser at the Sturbridge Host Hotel.
The event, held in March, featured a series of one-act plays performed by members of Tantasqua High School Drama Club students. Guest Host and Emcee was radio personality Adam Webster of 98.9 Nash Icon and 100.1 The Pike. Over 140 attended.
“This is the second year we have partnered with Tantasqua High School and the Host Hotel to put on an incredible fundraiser for our local scholarship fund,” said WIB President Laurie Nelson. “The time and effort that went into the planning and performances was nothing short of spectacular and we are so thrilled to be able to be able to offer generous scholarships to local students again this spring.”
The event also honored four local women who were honored for their outstanding contributions to the community: Carol Porra, Irene Garand, Alexandra McNitt and Judy Ferguson.
Raffles and a very popular dessert table, all donated by local organizations and bakeries, rounded out the evening’s agenda, which included a buffet dinner and the student performances. The Drama Club was under the advisement of Samantha Briggs. The performances were all directed by Tantasqua students.
Every year WIB awards four-$500 scholarships to deserving area high school seniors in support of their continuing education. Scholarship applications are available to any high school senior in our region by completing a form made available in their Guidance Office and submitting an essay. Over the last 27 years, WIB has awarded over $40,000 in scholarships to over 100 graduating seniors and young women within its community footprint for their continuing education.
In 2018, WIB added a fifth scholarship award endowed by the family of WIB Founder Judith Jaeger. The Judith A. Jaeger Memorial Scholarship, which comes with a $1,000 award, is presented to the top candidate among the applicants selected for scholarship prizes. A special Scholarship Review Committee of the Board reviews all applications and selects award recipients.
Woman in Business wishes to thank the following business and organizations for their generosity and support of the fundraiser and scholarship program:
Producer Sponsor: bankHometown
Director Sponsors: Brenda M. Bianculli, CPA, LLC; Cornerstone Bank; Harrington HealthCare System; Hometown Insurance Center, LLC; Jones & Jones Realty; Christopher Heights of Webster, Steve’s Collision Center, Inc., Your Hometown Shopper and Quinsigamond Community College
Supporters: Angilly Consulting Services, Venture Community Services
In-Kind Sponsors/Special Thank You’s: Your Hometown Shopper, Campaigns That Win, Sturbridge Host Hotel, Lynn Cotterman, Tantasqua High School & Drama Club
Dessert Buffet Donors: Just a Nibble, Harrington Child & Family Services, Christopher Heights of Webster, Francesca’s Italian Bakery, Wild Flour Kolaches, Sturbridge Coffee House, Publick House, Superior Bakery and Cedar Street Cafe
As well as dozens of local donors who contributed to the evening’s raffle prizes.
Leading sponsors received complimentary tickets to the WIB Annual Meeting and Scholarship Awards luncheon, which will be held in June at Old Sturbridge Village.
