Rep. Dennis M. O’Brien
Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
www.speakerobrien.com

Contact:  Jeanne H. Schmedlen

Director of Special Projects

and Chief of Protocol

(717) 705-1894

jschmedlen@speakerobrien.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2008

 

Speaker O'Brien Announces 2008-09 House of Representatives Scholarship Winners

 

            HARRISBURG—Speaker of the House Dennis M. O’Brien (R-Philadelphia) today announced the two outstanding finalists who emerged from a strong pool of applicants to win academic scholarships from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 2008-09 academic year. 

           

They are Benjamin Brockman of Warminster, Bucks County, son of Carol Brockman of Warminster and Thomas Brockman of Panama, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania; and Sierra Gladfelter of New Ringgold, Schuylkill County, daughter of Cynthia L. Ross and Todd M. Gladfelter, who will attend Temple University.

 

Brockman is the constituent of Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks) and Gladfelter is the constituent of Rep. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill).

 

“Having graduated from and taught for 26 years at William Tennant High School where Benjamin goes, it is an especially great honor to recognize this outstanding young man with this year’s House scholarship award,” said O’Neill.

 

“I know that Sierra will put this scholarship to good use when she begins her journalism studies at college,” Argall said. “Our entire community is very excited to know that, out of hundreds of applicants, a young woman from Schuylkill County has earned this prestigious honor.”

 

“The House Scholarship program is a way for current and former members of the House of Representatives to salute students’ academic achievements and accomplishments, as well as assist young people in their dreams of pursuing higher education,” said O’Brien.

 

“We are pleased at the high caliber of students who apply for the scholarship every year, and I commend Sierra and Benjamin for the great essays they wrote and for the academic success they have enjoyed,” O’Brien said.

 

Applicants wrote essays based on the following statement: “The year 2009 marks the

bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, on February 12, 1809. This great 16th president of the United States led the nation with both courage and compassion and delivered his transformational speech in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863.  Discuss how this address was one of the most significant articulations of the purpose and promise of the American people.” The top essays will be published by the House this summer.

 

Each scholarship grant, which the student can renew for up to four years of college, consists of the value of one semester of tuition at a State System of Higher Education school, which was $2,500 in 2007-08. This year’s award will depend on the SSHE tuition cost to be announced later this summer. The scholarships can be used to attend any public or private Pennsylvania postsecondary institution.

 

A benefit of this award is that students may be eligible to receive matching funds from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s PATH Program.  The recipients’ names are automatically submitted to PHEAA and matching awards are granted based on the students’ remaining financial need.

 

Applicants were evaluated based on their personal essay, demonstration of leadership qualities and commitment to community, academic achievement, and extra-curricular activities.

 

The House Scholarship Program uses no taxpayer funds. It is funded by personal donations from former and current House members and by funds raised at events during the year, including an annual golf tournament.

 

The scholarship foundation and selection process is administered independently by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (formerly The Greater Harrisburg Foundation), a non-profit organization designed to stimulate philanthropy and enhance the quality of life in the community through accumulating, managing and disbursing financial assets and by serving as a catalyst and neutral convener to meet a wide range of community needs.

 

Scholarship criteria and other background information can be found online at www.pahousescholarship.com or www.tfec.org.

 

An anonymous donor provided the program with an additional $5,000 for scholarships in 2006-07 for two additional scholarships for four years. 

 

“We are grateful for this donation, which enhances our efforts and underscores the integrity of the program,” said O’Brien.

 

The program was conceived in 2003 and the first two scholarship recipients graduated from college this spring.

           

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