Myra Fox Skelton Scholars Honored at Luncheon

May 18, 2006 -- A celebration of opportunity and triumph occurred at a recent luncheon given by the University of Wyoming/Casper College (UW/CC) Center in honor of eight recipients of the Myra Fox Skelton Foundation award.

The Foundation provides financial support for full-time UW/CC Center students who are single parents and have demonstrated academic excellence. Recipients, selected by the UW/CC Center scholarship committee, receive a monthly stipend for the nine months of the academic year.

The award is intended to help students reduce the number of hours they must work to support their education and families, and to increase the time they are able to devote to their families and studies. Additionally, recipients agree to participate in a community service activity.

Recipient Angela Fankhauser, a single mother of four children, said, "If it were not for the stipend, two very important things would be lost -- I would lose time to raise my children and lose hope that I can gain us a stable position in society, one that offers my children more opportunity."

The recipients thanked the foundation with inspirational stories of how the stipend allowed them to work toward, and eventually earn, their degrees without sacrificing time for their families.

"For me, the best aspect of the Skelton luncheon was the chance to hear how the generosity of Myra Fox Skelton has changed lives," said Brent Pickett, associate dean and director of the UW/CC Center. "Our recipients gave compelling accounts of how the stipends gave them the chance to focus upon the two most important things in their lives: their schoolwork and their children.

“It also showed that the recipients are aware of how their current endeavors are going to create new opportunities not just for themselves. I especially enjoyed hearing some of them talk about how when their children saw them studying hard, it led their children to do the same. They are modeling good study habits for the next generation."

The 2006 Myra Fox Skelton Foundation award recipients are: Andra Arnold, elementary education major; Angela Fankhauser, psychology major; Cheryl Mandich, biology major; Catherine Martin, social science major; Angela Morris, psychology major; Tammy Olson, secondary education - English major; and Amanda Roy, social work major, all of Casper, and Desiree Riley, elementary education major, Mills.

Photo

Honored -- Amanda Roy, a graduating senior at the University of Wyoming/ Casper College (UW/CC) Center, offers words of appreciation at the Myra Fox Skelton Foundation luncheon, while fellow recipient Angela Morris looks on. The luncheon honored eight UW/CC Center students who are single parents, assist in community service activities and exhibit academic excellence. (UW Photo)

Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006