Newtown VNA Anna Clow Scholarship Awarded

The Newtown Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) presented Lauren Borruso with a check for $4,000 last week, which represented the payment for The VNA 2005 Anna E. Clow Scholarship.

The Clow scholarship is given annually to encourage interest and growth in the nursing profession by offering financial assistance to a high school graduate who is also a Newtown resident. Ms Borruso graduated from Newtown High School in 2004. She is now a sophomore at The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C., and will begin her clinical studies when she returns for studies in the new term.

The scholarship is given on the basis of interest in the nursing profession, scholarship ability, personality, and recommendation by the student’s high school guidance department and principal. The scholarship is available to students entering the profession of nursing and studying for a registered nurse (RN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.

The scholarship amount was increased recently to $4,000. It is awarded when the recipient has entered the clinical portion of his or her nursing program, which is at least the second year of nursing education.

“We look for students who are really interested in the nursing profession,” said Sally Schwerdtle, who is the scholarship committee chairman for Newtown VNA. “We also look at scholastic achievement and in part their need, but a lot of it depends on their personality and the use of their free time.”

“I’m so impressed with her because this young lady has taken nurses aide courses to not only get work experience and to earn money, but also to make sure this is what she wants to do with her career,” VNA Treasurer Margareta Kotch said on January 5. “I thought that was outstanding. She’s so focused.”

During her summer break in 2005, Ms Borruso did internships at Danbury Hospital. She went through Education Connection, a program in western Connecticut that matches students to openings in their prospective career fields, to find a pair of internship opportunities. She did two pediatric internships, one in the hospital and the other in an office setting.

“It’s wonderful for young people to get a taste of their field,” said Ms Schwerdtle. “They need to make sure they’re really interested in their career choice, or even to find out ‘No, this isn’t really for me.’”

Ms Kotch and Ms Schwerdtle presented Ms Borruso with her scholarship check on January 5.

“I’m very grateful for this,” Ms Borruso said.

The VNA offers two nursing scholarships. In addition to the Anna E. Clow Scholarship, the association also offers The Newtown VNA Mary M. Holian Scholarship for Returning Students. Established in 1988, the Holian award honors Mary M. Holian for her dedication and leadership in the field of public health nursing both within Newtown and across the state.

Consideration for the Holian scholarship, which is a $2,000 award, is given to students who live in Newtown and are returning to school for a nursing degree including RN, BSN, master of science in nursing (MSN), or nurse practitioner’s degree. Applicants must be entering their second year of training, provided they have completed their first year within the last five years.

VNA Anna E. Clow applications are available at the Newtown High School guidance department. Interviews are conducted in April and recipients are announced during the annual NHS awards program.

VNA Mary M. Holian applications may be obtained by contacting Ms Schwerdtle at 268-8333 or by written request to The VNA Scholarship Committee, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown VNA scholarship program was established in 1972 and to date has awarded $73,750.