Garnet Heinen, Dalton Swiech, Judith Cuplin, Bridget Knasiak, Marvin Wurster
PMO Club members and scholarship recipientsAVC Students Receive PMO Scholarship
by Irene Thraen-Borowski
March 31, 2010
On March 30, 2010, two students from the Jo Daviess Carroll Area Vocational Center were awarded scholarships from the People Making Opportunities (PMO) Club. The PMO Club is a local charitable organization that collects yearly $10 from its members and then donates that money back out into the community. This is a list of just some of the recipients of the PMO Club's generosity:
Elizabeth Food Pantry
Elizabeth Historical Society
Elizabeth Nursing Home
Tyler Justice Center
Choices
Humane Society
Many specific families in need
Elizabeth Fire Department
Elizabeth Fair Board
River Ridge Music Boosters
Elizabeth Library
River Ridge Little Leaguers
This year, due to the idea of Graphics teacher Irene Thraen-Borowski, a scholarship was set up specifically for AVC students. Each student was required to submit three letters of recommendation, fill out a short form about themselves, and state what they would do to improve their community. PMO Club members went through all the applications and ultimately decided to award two $400 scholarships. This year, Dalton Swiech of Restaurant Management and Bridget Knasiak of Graphic Communications won scholarships.
Dalton plans to attend Kirkwood College and pursue a career in the Culinary Arts, he is a senior from West Carrool High School and a Student-of-the-Quarter winner at the Jo Daviess Carroll Area Vocational Center.
Bridget recently secured and has begun a tattoo apprenticeship in Platteville, WI. She is a senior at River Ridge High School and also a Student-of-the Quarter winner at the Jo Daviess Carroll Area Vocational Center.
The PMO Club was made possible through the initial friendship of Judith Cuplin and Marvin Wurster, both pictured. The giving nature of these two individuals and the community members that have donated to the PMO Club over the years is a truly selfless act.
These were Judith's words to the students regarding this scholarship, "One scholarship came through the generosity of the community by $10 a year dues, the other scholarship came through the generosity of Mr. Marvin (Doc) Wurster who owns the M & W Feed Mill here in Elizabeth. Doc is truly the most giving person I have met in my journey through life… and that is what the PMO Club is all about. It’s about giving – paying it forward – Doing onto others – however you want to put it. So in life, please be kind to any and all people of the world, be the change you want to see on others and may your dreams not only come true, but in helping others along in their struggles through life."
It was also stated that the PMO Club was impressed by every applicant and would have given each student a scholarship if they could have. They would like to thank every student who submitted an application.
The Jo Daviess Carroll Area Vocational Center would like to sincerely thank Marvin (Doc) Wurster, Judith (Judes) Cuplin, Garnet Heinen and all other members of the PMO Club for their support of AVC students, education and our community.
