The TWA Women’s Scholarship Committee is pleased to present the five winners for 2018-19. Standing from left to right are: Neha Paragi, Melissa Collins, Lindsay Gawthrop, Claudia Chabay, and Madeline Purvis. We are very proud of them and their accomplishments and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Claudia Chabay is a senior at Troy High. She listed over 1400 service hours and is a member of the National Honor Society. Claudia’s essay was about her grandmother who was raised under the communist regime in Eastern Europe and became a physician, battled breast cancer, emigrated to the US and through her drive to succeed still works at a doctor’s office at age 70+. Claudia learned grace, empathy and determination from her and hopes to someday be someone else’s role model. Claudia has been accepted at Central Michigan University where she will study Kinesiology with a goal to be a Physician’s Assistant.

Melissa Collins is a senior at Troy High. She listed over 200 service hours and is a member of the National Honor Society. Lindsay’s essay detailed the experience of how a severe knee injury which shattered her dreams of continuing life as an athlete and with it athletic scholarships, led her to develop strategies to cope with unplanned events and realize that she was more resilient than she realized. Melissa has been accepted to Oakland University where she will study the Sciences, her goal is to be a Radiologist.

Lindsay Gawthrop is a senior at Troy High. She listed over 800 service hours in her application, many at Brookdale Senior Living where she continues to volunteer. Lindsay has also helped us with Elf Shelf. Her essay told of being bullied at the International school when her father’s job took them to India for a brief time while she was in 3rd grade, and it taught her to be more compassionate and empathetic.

Lindsay has applied to the Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University to study Environmental Sciences. Lindsay is the eldest granddaughter of TWA Member Nancy Gawthrop.

Madeline Purvis is a senior at Athens High. She listed over 1000 service hours in her application and is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council President. Madeline’s essay was about Athens High Charity week, where the Student Council plans and executes a multitude of fundraisers and this year raised over $130,000 for Focus Detroit. Learning to plan, collaborate, communicate, delegate, and cooperate while giving back sounds very familiar, doesn’t it! Madeline has been accepted at the University of Michigan where she will study Aerospace Engineering.

Neha Paragi is a student at the University of Michigan where she has a double major in Business Administration and Industrial & Operations Engineering. She listed over 2000 service hours in her application and is an Athens High grad where she was Valedictorian, Class President, NHS President, Co-Coach of the Larson Science Olympiad and also the co-founder of Swirl Cupcakes, a student-run

501(c)(3) which gives 100% of proceeds to charity. Neha is the first family member to pursue an undergrad degree in the US and her Business degree has already helped her mentor the students running Swirl Cupcakes as Executive Director.

New Beginnings Animal Rescue (NBAR) is a cat rescue focused 100% on what is best for the cats in their care.  Founded 11/09/10.

 

New Beginnings Animal Rescue is a No-Kill, 501(c)(3) Exempt, Non-Profit cat rescue that focuses 100% of our energy, time, money, and effort on providing the best care for the cats in our rescue as we work diligently towards finding loving adoptive homes for them.

NBAR is completely run on volunteers, fosters, and donations. For more information on how to get involved, please visit their website (http://www.nbarmichigan.org/).

 

 

Below is a link to a short video from New Beginnings Animal Rescue.  At :40 you can see some of the Snuggle Blankets the TWA Knitters donated when the Animal Project committee was dropping off items from NBAR's Wish List.  Nancy Z. also delivered wish list items to Michigan Animal Rescue League.

We were able to help a lot of animals, it is kitten season now and these babies need foster care until they are old enough to go to their furever homes.  

New Beginnings

 

TWA helped a lot

Kathi F, Stephanie C, Marlene P, Lori S and Nancy Z.

From its beginning the Troy Women's Association has promoted and supported literacy programs.  Through the years we have made donations to our elementary school classrooms, our public library, and the Middle School Troybery Reading Project.  We have collected books for children in shelters, protective care, and remedial programs.  We have provided free tutoring.  Literacy is a cause close to our hearts. This year we were proud to make a "perpetual gift" to the Troy Public Library Endowment Fund.  By doing so we now have our own "book" on display on the Donor Wall in the Library, and we were recognized by Library Director, Cathy Russ, at the Donor Wall Reveal Ceremony.  It is wonderful to be a part of the businesses, families, community service groups, and individuals coming together in support of our award winning library. Our Library's endowment fund began in September of 2016 with an idea to raise $20,000.  As of September, 2018, there is over $111,000 in the fund, and it continues to grow.  A small portion of the proceeds each year is used to provide programming and to implement facility enhancements.  Our contribution was not only for our Library's present but also for its future.

Women's Scholarship Awards Each year, the Troy Women’s Association awards several college scholarships to females graduating from high school, returning to school, or continuing their college education.  Scholarships are awarded to local women who demonstrate a commitment to serving their community and/or demonstrate financial need.  TWA takes great pride in supporting women in their educational goals.

There are separate applications for graduating high school seniors and for adults continuing their college education.  The number of scholarships awarded is dependent on the applications received.


2018 Scholarship Recipients

TWA - Feeling social

Our Social Committee is responsible for planning all sorts of extra activities for our members to enjoy outside of the projects we support. There is something for everyone and the committee aims to plan outings that all of our members can enjoy.  This year the number and variety of opportunities to connect and be social has been awesome! 

Do we love serving our community, of course. 
But do we also love getting together just to have fun, YES! 
Check out the impressive list of social activities that have been planned recently:

• Monthly pre-meeting dinners at various local restaurants
• Fall Euchre Tournament
• Oktoberfest @ The Dakota Inn
• Kris Kringle Market in downtown Rochester
• High Tea @ The Townsend in Birmingham
• Bunco at a member's home

These outings are planned and open to any members who would like to attend.  The number of members varies by activity and the goal is always to provide opportunities to connect with each other, try something new and have fun doing it.  Some future social activities may include: local bike trips, museum visits, and various public tours.  

TWA BOOK CLUB

A number of women in the Troy Women’s Association have enjoyed gathering every other month to discuss a particular book.  Our members take turns hosting in their homes and providing the book selection.

We are not literary specialists.  Rather we are ladies who enjoy conversation and laughter.  Our personal book ratings and reviews often lead to discussions all over the map.  It’s fun!

Picking a book is not easy as each of us enjoys specific genres and many of our members are avid readers.  Reading is an adventure.  The unifying comment from the group is “I’m glad I read this book.  It’s one that I wouldn’t have otherwise selected.”

From historical fiction, classics, mysteries and true stories, 56 books have been read and discussed providing many hours of joy and friendship.

Project Linus

Project Linus is a national volunteer organization that gives new, washable, handmade blankets to children in need of comfort. The local chapter we support has donated over 25,000 blankets.

Our members volunteer their time and energy to this project by sewing, ironing, binding and tagging blankets for donation. Many other TWA members helped by washing and drying the materials prior to the blanket making. Monetary funds are used to purchase materials and support the “Blanket Party” and the project in general. This year 9 members plus two family members participated in the event.