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Three Port Chester High juniors are another step closer to college after being awarded $2,500 scholarships by the Whaling family of Rye through the local community organization the Carver Center.
"I was worried about the cost of (college) applications and SAT prep books, all those things," said Yumiko Philips, one of the recipients. "I know this (scholarship) will help me."
Along with Yumiko, Thalia Soriano and Artur Szerejko also received scholarships, which were presented Tuesday at the Carver Center in Port Chester.
The scholarships are specifically meant to assist juniors at Port Chester High with the college application process. Applicants had to have a 3.4 GPA, be active in extracurricular activities, submit personal essays and two letters of recommendation.
Yumiko is the junior class vice president and plays varsity basketball and volleyball among many other things. She wants to apply to colleges in New York, including NYU, for nursing.
"Nurses work more closely with the patients than doctors," said Yumiko. "I like that environment."Thalia also wants to study nursing, specifically neonatal, and is interested in going to school in California. She would like eventually to start a community organization in Port Chester to help new mothers care for their babies.
"I want to give back to my community," she said.Artur wants to study music engineering. He plays the trumpet and a host of other instruments and has been heavily involved in his school's music and theater productions."I can't picture doing anything else," he said. "I just love music."Tony Whaling set up the scholarship fund this year as a 70th birthday present to his wife Suzanne and called it the Kelly Grant in honor of her maiden name. The Whalings intend to continue offering scholarships to Port Chester students annually."We chose to go through the Carver Center because they're the biggest force in Port Chester," said Suzanne Whaling. "They've helped a lot of people. And these students have earned it."
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