Recently, I attended the annual scholarship banquet held by the Professional Women of Statesboro in which two scholarships were given by the organization totaling $2,500.
      Let me begin by saying that I was completely impressed by the event and by the membership. Founded in 1989, the organization has 50 active members dedicated to supporting each other through networking and growth opportunities. The membership appeared to me to be for the most part fairly young, but very accomplished.
      The scholarship winners were Katlyn Butler, who just graduated from Statesboro High School, and Leighann Humphries, who just graduated from Southeast Bulloch. Both women have interesting stories of perseverance.
      Butler has been taking classes at Ogeechee Technical College as part of a dual enrollment program. Her intent is to enter the Radiologic Technology program at OTC.
      "I have been working on my core classes, and will be taking the PSB exam soon," Butler said. "I want to do really well on the exam so that I can get into the program. It is highly competitive, and they only accept 12 students a year."
      Butler said her interest in the program began when she was 10 years old.
      "My mother had gone to OTC, but wasn't able to complete the program," she said. "I started looking at her text books, and became really interested in it. I knew it was what I wanted to do. I have also had some health issues in which this technology is used so I am familiar with it which also increased my interest. My parents are so proud, and are glad that I have found something in the health care field that I am really excited about."
      Humphries also has a compelling story. She will be the first member of her family to attend college. She is going to East Georgia College before transferring to Georgia Southern.
      "My dad and my grandmother were at the banquet with me, and were so excited when I won the scholarship," she said. "I want to be a registered nurse, and the scholarship will be so helpful. It was a total surprise. I feel very blessed."
      Events like these always remind me there are so many people in our community that sincerely care about supporting and providing opportunities for others, and see it as a responsibility and a duty.
      "As an organization of professional women, we have all benefited from having a postsecondary education," said Christa Mallard, co-chairman of the scholarship selection committee. "We feel it is very important for us to give these scholarships as a fundamental belief of our organization is the education of women."
      So, until next Tuesday, I bid you au revoir.
      Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or email her at jmoore@statesboroherald.com