Archive: Around Town

This year a lucky student will qualify for a unique new scholarship that melds community involvement with academic achievement.  The Finger Lakes Scholarship of Civic Engagement was conceived by college admissions consultant Lucia Tyler, a Trumansburg businesswoman who got a small consortium of small businesses to contribute.

"It's a group of small business owners who believe strongly in the value of education, in supporting students in the costs of education, and also believing in the value of students participating in community," Tyler says.  "That could be internships for a newspaper, or getting involved in fire fighting, or getting involved in a community library, or doing something with local government."

Applicants must get a recommendation from somebody who is not a relative, submit their high school transcript, and write a short essay describing their civic involvement.  Volunteerism is a key requirement.

"I see the need for community service," Tyler says.  "We can't pay for everything, so I think volunteering is powerful.  It's made a difference in my own mental health and enjoyment.  Others who are involved in this scholarship feel the same.  It gives great value, not only to the community, but to the person who is doing it."

Tyler says that colleges are starting to consider civic contributions as a plus for admission.  She notes that the College of New Jersey has offered a full scholarship that is entirely based on community service, and a number of other colleges are acknowledging the value of community in the scholarships they are giving as well.

"I look at scholarships because I am a college admissions consultant," Tyler says.  "There just aren't many that focus on upstate New York.  There are a few, but not many that take civic engagement and community involvement into account."


Students from Cayuga, Tompkins, Tioga, Seneca, Schuyler, and Cortland counties are eligible to apply for the $1,000 scholarship.  There will be one winner per year, and Tyler says that winning independent scholarships often results in more favorable financial aid from colleges.  She says some colleges match the scholarship amount.

Small business owners that have joined Tyler to create the scholarship are Dr. Marcia Zax
(Advanced Dental Technology of Ithaca II), Eva Mae Musgrave (Edge of Thyme Bed & Breakfast), David Makar (544 Productions), Matt Minor (Fingerlakes Glass), Patricia Brown (Integrated Business Ventures), Melanie Steverson-Jarvis (Healing with Nature's Gifts), and Jackie Sherman (Flourish Design Studio).  A review board made up of some of the contributors will choose the winner.

"We are looking for commitment, energy, joy in doing it, growth," Tyler says.  "Those are things we hope will come out in the essays.  We set the 500 word limit so they can convey their ideas in a fairly concise way.  They could write of a conversation they've had, or their most dramatic experience volunteering, or how they learned of this activity and why they are doing it.  There are many approaches they could take.  We're looking forward to some creative expressions of community activity."

The deadline for applications is March 15, 2009.  Tyler says the group hopes to announce the winner in late April or Early May.

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