SE PA Rotary Provides Vocational Scholarships
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
For the past several years, the Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Foundation has provided deserving students in our district with the opportunity to apply for Vocational Education Scholarships. These scholarships can be granted for up to $2500 with most falling in the $1000-$1500 range. To be eligible students must be attending institutions offering one- or two-year programs leading to immediate employment post-graduation. In addition, they must have completed at least one term of a one-year program or one year of a two-year program and carry a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This demonstrates purpose and commitment. Since the spring cycle of 2024, we have proudly awarded a total of $29,987 to 28 very deserving students.
Our most recent application cycle ended on 15 October 2025, and we are delighted to announce that 10 students have been awarded a total of $10,000. These students are enrolled in 4 institutions, and their studies cover a wide range of disciplines. All are non-traditional students who are so grateful for Rotary financial assistance as they strive to fulfill their dreams and reach their goals.
This month, in keeping with the November theme of Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, it is our pleasure to introduce seven of our most recent recipients who are pursuing careers in the healthcare field. Their stories are uniformly inspiring and their sentiments heartfelt.
Omar McBride, awarded $1,750, is studying Behavioral Health at Community College of Philadelphia. He spent 32 years in prison on a conspiracy charge that was later deemed unconstitutional. Since his release, he has been working hard to transform himself from “a problem maker to a problem solver”. Through his studies and his service with Nelson Community Outreach, Strawberry Mission Men’s Circle and Borad St. Ministry, he is making a real difference. His goal is to promote behavioral health awareness, advance financial literacy and launch his own logistics business to create opportunities for others returning from incarceration.
Draperline Birch, awarded $1000, is a student at Community College of Philadelphia, majoring in Dental Hygiene. She was born in Liberia, West Africa, and as a young child she and her family were driven out due to the First Liberian Civil War 1989-1996. The family lived for a short time in Ghana before immigrating to the United States in 2000. Several years ago, Draperline joined the National Guard to help finance her education. This has required a major balance of school, work and guard time, and it has not been easy for Draperline. Through it all she has preserved and will be graduating soon. Her dream is to serve as a traveling Dental Hygienist helping underserved children in third world countries.
Bryanna King, first in her family to pursue any kind of higher education, was awarded $1,000, Bryanna is a student at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology studying Practical Nursing. She was inspired by her great-grandmother whom she sometimes trailed while her great grandmother was working at the now closed Sacred Heart Hospital. Her goal is to become a LPN working in a geriatric facility. As she wrote, “Helping the older generation makes my heart full.”
Jacqueline Mills, awarded $1,000, who immigrated from Peru many years ago, is our oldest scholarship recipient at 62! As an older mother of one, a non-verbal autistic child with unusual nutritional needs, she was inspired to further her education with the goal of becoming a certified Nutritionist at the Northeast Extension Center of Community College of Philadelphia. She has spent the past 5 years serving with WIC as a nutrition counselor for Spanish and Portuguese speakers in her Northeast Philadelphia community, and she also has extensive experience as a volunteer with Special Olympics and the Literacy Council of Norristown.
Chaevonia Sheridan has been awarded $1000. As a student at Manor College, Chaevonia is pursuing an AA degree in Practical Nursing. She has been working to put herself through school assisting at Sunrise Senior Living. Growing up in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, she was inspired to pursue nursing while spending many nights with a young cousin suffering from cerebral palsy. The child had to travel with family to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts for treatment because the Virgin Islands lacked the appropriate facility to care for her. Chaevonia hopes to use her skills in nursing to improve the state of healthcare for the lower income residents of that island province.
Chantale Sterling has been awarded $1000. With dreams of becoming a Radiologic Technologist, Chantale is working toward that goal as a Radiology student at Community College of Pennsylvania. She came to this career goal after many years working in advertising. Although that field held promise, it did not give her the sense that she was helping people. She had the impression that advertising made them feel that they needed a product or service even if it meant neglecting their health and well-being. Happily, she has now found her niche, and she is thrilled to be heading toward a profession she loves and knows will make a positive difference.
Christina Mattioli, awarded $1000, is a student at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, and her goal is to earn a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Working two jobs to support her goals, this dedicated young woman has her sights set on helping people. Using Musculo Skeletal Ultrasound, she dreams of helping them improve mobility, reduce pain and have a better quality of life. She is a serious and dedicated student with a bright future.
In closing, here are some quotes from the students upon receiving news of their awards: “I am so grateful to you!” “I am honored and very grateful for your support.” “I am thrilled to be a recipient. Wow!” “I appreciate it SO much.” I am genuinely humbled and honored.”, “I appreciate the trust and belief you have in me.” And finally, and most eloquently, “kindness always finds its way back and may the generosity of this award return to Rotary many times over.”
Helping others follow their dreams and reach their goals through service on their behalf gives such satisfaction. Isn’t that what being a Rotarian means? We are sure that all Rotarians in District 7450 will join the Leadership Team of the Gundaker Foundation in wishing each of these deserving students the very best.
This article was written by Bianca Mandel, Chair, Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Foundation Vocational Education Scholarship Committee.