The Business and Professional Women of Englewood and Venice are proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Scholarships and tell you a little about each candidate.  All recipients received a $500 scholarship to their respective schools.

Elonna Falk of Rotonda West in Englewood is a graduate of Lemon Bay High School, Englewood.    She will be attending the University of Florida at Gainsville majoring in Pediatric Nephrology.  She is the first in her large family to attend college.  She was very active in high school in clubs and sports receiving many awards and honors and was secretary of the senior class.

Mason Gardberg from Englewood is a graduate of Lemon Bay High School also.  She plans to attend the University of Central Florida, Orlando majoring in Environmental Engineering.  She has been active in high school especially in Youth Camp receiving many awards in track and field, student of the month, student of the year as well as awards in her studies of Geometry, Chemistry, Spanish and was treasurer of the senior class.

Lisa Devine, Venice, and a graduate of Venice High School  will attend Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, majoring in Secondary Mathematics with a goal of becoming a teacher.  She had a dual enrollment at Manatee Community College taking classes in Pre Calculus, Trigonometry, Chemistry, and English Language.

Rebekka Schenk, Venice, and a graduate of Venice High School will attend Brigham Young University, Utah, majoring in Sports Medicine. She would like to work with the Olympic athletes.  She has received awards in Art such as All State Art Exposition, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  She enjoys Kayaking, horse back riding, playing piano and guitar.

Kelly McNeil from Englewood is a single mom with a 9-year-old son and is attending Manatee Community College pursuing a degree for Registered Nurse.  She would like to work in a hosptial to gain experience and knowledge and then get into the public health area.

Jeanne Minnear lives in North Port and will be attending Gulf Coast University at Ft. Myers School of Nursing.  Her goal is to become a Nurse Anesthetist.  She is the mother of five children.  She has volunteered extensively in her church nursery, captain of the Math Team and tutored math at Manatee Community College.