UPB Names 'Women of Promise'
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will honor four area high school students as “Women of Promise” for their achievements in athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts at a luncheon on Tuesday, March 24.
Julie Coates, meteorologist with WICU-12 News in Erie, will give the keynote address titled “Two Women in the Heart of the Presidential Election.”
Being honored are Jennifer Anderson of Port Allegany and Jennifer Andrews of Randolph, N.Y., for athletics; Alyssa Lapp of Port Allegany for community service; and Katelyn Scanlan of Bradford for creative and performing arts.
“It was another amazing year for Woman of Promise nominees,” said Heidi Anderson, co-chairwoman of the Women of Promise committee and purchasing manager for Pitt-Bradford. “It is always a pleasure to receive and review the nominations of these amazing young women.”
Jennifer Anderson, the daughter of William and Bonnie Anderson, is being honored for her athletic ability and outstanding leadership. A senior at Port Allegany High School, she excelled in four sports -- basketball, soccer, track and volleyball.
Anderson was the catalyst behind establishing soccer at Port Allegany. She and some of her friends petitioned the school board to add soccer as a sports team, resulting in the launching of the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams. She was captain of the basketball and soccer teams, as well as MVP in soccer.
Anderson plans to attend Pitt-Bradford, where she will major in athletic training.
“My parents’ interest in sports has motivated me to become involved in as many sports as possible,” says Anderson. “Their inspiration, persistence and guidance helped me to strive to become the person I am today.”
Dan Eskesen, Anderson’s guidance counselor, said, “Jennifer’s willingness to help others and work for what she wanted made her our recommendation for the Women of Promise Award in Athletics. She exemplifies sportsmanship, athletic integrity and leadership.”
Andrews, daughter of John and Kathy Andrews, attends Randolph Central High School. She also excels in four sports -- soccer, basketball, track and field, and softball. She holds the Randolph Cardinals team record as goalie in soccer as well as being named CCIAC Division II Defensive Player of the Year. Active in both school and community activities, she is a member of Student Council and is class treasurer.
She hopes to play soccer or softball at St. Bonaventure University, where she will be a pre-medicine major. Her goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon.
“My family, especially my parents and grandma, helped me keep committed to my goals,” she said. “They have told me I can do anything and be whatever I want -- and watching them and their hard work makes me want to work hard and never stop.”
In nominating her, Andrews’ guidance counselor, Robert Vogtli, said, “Jennifer’s character, commitment and personality are incomparable. She is a model high school student who excels in many activities because of her sense of responsibility to others.”
Lapp, the daughter of Mark and Ingrid Lapp, is being recognized for her community service.
A senior at Port Allegany High School, Lapp initiated and organized a drive to collect personal items for children placed in emergency foster care. With the help of her sister and grandmother, they collected enough items for 10 kits.
She continued the theme of helping others when she initiated and organized “Operation Christmas Child,” also known as the Samaritan’s Purse Project, at her church. She collected toys, clothing and personal items for children and teens living in Third World countries.
Last summer Lapp spent 10 days in Costa Rica while on a mission trip. She worked from dusk to dawn digging a sewer system for a church being built. She spent some of her time having fun with the local children, painting their faces, making balloon animals, doing magic tricks and juggling.
Lapp plans to major in pre-occupational therapy at Westminster University in New Wilmington. She also credits her family for her success saying, “My parents have given me a firm foundation to stand on. Our family motto is ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ Someday I hope to give my own family as much as my family has given to me.”
Lapp’s high school counselor, Kathy Jeselnick, said, “Alyssa’s exceptional character is one composed of wisdom, generosity and a tremendous insight into the plight of others. She has both an optimism and compassion to make a difference in others’ lives.”
Scanlan, daughter of James and Bonnie Scanlan, is being honored for her achievements in music, theater, dance and the visual arts.
A senior at Bradford Area High School, she is involved in marching band, jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, concert band, concert choir and mixed chorus.
On stage, Scanlan has participated in several school musicals, either on stage or in the pit orchestra. In marching band, she was the flute section leader, participating in a variety of band and choir festivals.
She is a tap, jazz, and toe ballet student at the Peggy Johnson Dance Studio in Bradford and is an original member of the Olean (N.Y.) Area Irish Dancers.
Scanlan also studies art with Sean Huntingdon of Bradford and Kong Ho, associate professor of art at Pitt-Bradford. One of her paintings has been selected to be included in the university’s permanent student art collection.
She also participates in a variety of church, community and school activities, receiving awards and recognition for her dedication and leadership.
In nominating her, BAHS band director Kathleen Thumpston, commended Scanlan for her strong leadership skills and her capability to find good qualities in every one and almost every situation.
“As section leader in the marching band, she was responsible for both musical and marching instruction, as well as positive motivation for the flute section. She has a positive outlook and motivates others to share that attitude,” Thumpston said.
Following graduation, Scanlan plans to attend college where she will major in civil engineering and minor in architecture. Her long-term plans are to earn a graduate degree in architecture. Scanlan said she hopes to become an “engineer without borders,” specializing in emergency relief structures, sustainability and historic restoration.
“My greatest source of motivation is people, whether it be actions or kind words,” Scanlan said. “I credit my parents, friends, family, teachers, guidance counselors and my Key Club adviser for their support and constant commitment to guiding me in the right direction.”
This is the 13th year that the Pitt-Bradford Staff Association and the Women’s History Celebration Committee have recognized area “Women of Promise.” Guidance counselors from local high schools are asked to nominate eligible seniors for the awards. A selection committee at Pitt-Bradford then reviews those nominations.
This year all of the young women nominated to represent their respective schools are invited to attend the luncheon and will receive recognition for their accomplishments. Forty-four young women were nominated from 22 schools in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York.
Julie Coates, meteorologist with WICU-12 News in Erie, will give the keynote address titled “Two Women in the Heart of the Presidential Election.”
Being honored are Jennifer Anderson of Port Allegany and Jennifer Andrews of Randolph, N.Y., for athletics; Alyssa Lapp of Port Allegany for community service; and Katelyn Scanlan of Bradford for creative and performing arts.
“It was another amazing year for Woman of Promise nominees,” said Heidi Anderson, co-chairwoman of the Women of Promise committee and purchasing manager for Pitt-Bradford. “It is always a pleasure to receive and review the nominations of these amazing young women.”
Jennifer Anderson, the daughter of William and Bonnie Anderson, is being honored for her athletic ability and outstanding leadership. A senior at Port Allegany High School, she excelled in four sports -- basketball, soccer, track and volleyball.Anderson was the catalyst behind establishing soccer at Port Allegany. She and some of her friends petitioned the school board to add soccer as a sports team, resulting in the launching of the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams. She was captain of the basketball and soccer teams, as well as MVP in soccer.
Anderson plans to attend Pitt-Bradford, where she will major in athletic training.
“My parents’ interest in sports has motivated me to become involved in as many sports as possible,” says Anderson. “Their inspiration, persistence and guidance helped me to strive to become the person I am today.”
Dan Eskesen, Anderson’s guidance counselor, said, “Jennifer’s willingness to help others and work for what she wanted made her our recommendation for the Women of Promise Award in Athletics. She exemplifies sportsmanship, athletic integrity and leadership.”
Andrews, daughter of John and Kathy Andrews, attends Randolph Central High School. She also excels in four sports -- soccer, basketball, track and field, and softball. She holds the Randolph Cardinals team record as goalie in soccer as well as being named CCIAC Division II Defensive Player of the Year. Active in both school and community activities, she is a member of Student Council and is class treasurer.She hopes to play soccer or softball at St. Bonaventure University, where she will be a pre-medicine major. Her goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon.
“My family, especially my parents and grandma, helped me keep committed to my goals,” she said. “They have told me I can do anything and be whatever I want -- and watching them and their hard work makes me want to work hard and never stop.”
In nominating her, Andrews’ guidance counselor, Robert Vogtli, said, “Jennifer’s character, commitment and personality are incomparable. She is a model high school student who excels in many activities because of her sense of responsibility to others.”
Lapp, the daughter of Mark and Ingrid Lapp, is being recognized for her community service.A senior at Port Allegany High School, Lapp initiated and organized a drive to collect personal items for children placed in emergency foster care. With the help of her sister and grandmother, they collected enough items for 10 kits.
She continued the theme of helping others when she initiated and organized “Operation Christmas Child,” also known as the Samaritan’s Purse Project, at her church. She collected toys, clothing and personal items for children and teens living in Third World countries.
Last summer Lapp spent 10 days in Costa Rica while on a mission trip. She worked from dusk to dawn digging a sewer system for a church being built. She spent some of her time having fun with the local children, painting their faces, making balloon animals, doing magic tricks and juggling.
Lapp plans to major in pre-occupational therapy at Westminster University in New Wilmington. She also credits her family for her success saying, “My parents have given me a firm foundation to stand on. Our family motto is ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ Someday I hope to give my own family as much as my family has given to me.”
Lapp’s high school counselor, Kathy Jeselnick, said, “Alyssa’s exceptional character is one composed of wisdom, generosity and a tremendous insight into the plight of others. She has both an optimism and compassion to make a difference in others’ lives.”
Scanlan, daughter of James and Bonnie Scanlan, is being honored for her achievements in music, theater, dance and the visual arts.A senior at Bradford Area High School, she is involved in marching band, jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, concert band, concert choir and mixed chorus.
On stage, Scanlan has participated in several school musicals, either on stage or in the pit orchestra. In marching band, she was the flute section leader, participating in a variety of band and choir festivals.
She is a tap, jazz, and toe ballet student at the Peggy Johnson Dance Studio in Bradford and is an original member of the Olean (N.Y.) Area Irish Dancers.
Scanlan also studies art with Sean Huntingdon of Bradford and Kong Ho, associate professor of art at Pitt-Bradford. One of her paintings has been selected to be included in the university’s permanent student art collection.
She also participates in a variety of church, community and school activities, receiving awards and recognition for her dedication and leadership.
In nominating her, BAHS band director Kathleen Thumpston, commended Scanlan for her strong leadership skills and her capability to find good qualities in every one and almost every situation.
“As section leader in the marching band, she was responsible for both musical and marching instruction, as well as positive motivation for the flute section. She has a positive outlook and motivates others to share that attitude,” Thumpston said.
Following graduation, Scanlan plans to attend college where she will major in civil engineering and minor in architecture. Her long-term plans are to earn a graduate degree in architecture. Scanlan said she hopes to become an “engineer without borders,” specializing in emergency relief structures, sustainability and historic restoration.
“My greatest source of motivation is people, whether it be actions or kind words,” Scanlan said. “I credit my parents, friends, family, teachers, guidance counselors and my Key Club adviser for their support and constant commitment to guiding me in the right direction.”
This is the 13th year that the Pitt-Bradford Staff Association and the Women’s History Celebration Committee have recognized area “Women of Promise.” Guidance counselors from local high schools are asked to nominate eligible seniors for the awards. A selection committee at Pitt-Bradford then reviews those nominations.
This year all of the young women nominated to represent their respective schools are invited to attend the luncheon and will receive recognition for their accomplishments. Forty-four young women were nominated from 22 schools in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York.
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