April 10, 2007

The Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, D.D., Bishop of Allentown has presented 98 eighth grade students from the 48 Catholic elementary schools around the Diocese of Allentown and one student from each of the three Special Learning Centers with $1,000 scholarships to one of the diocesan high schools or special learning centers. The presentation took place at the annual Bishop's Scholar Society Awards Ceremony at Alvernia College in Reading.

The scholarship recipients were selected based on their academic achievement, their school, parish and community activities, and recommendations from their principal, an eighth grade teacher and their pastor.

At the same ceremony the Bishop presented 18 seniors, one boy and one girl from each of the nine diocesan high schools, with $500 scholarships for post-secondary education and plaques declaring them Bishop's Catholic Scholars. The students were chosen based on their academics, school involvement, Catholic faith and community service.

The keynote speaker at the awards ceremony was Margaret J. Zawisza of Orwigsburg, a student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Margaret is a product of Diocese of Allentown schools. She attended St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven and graduated from Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville where she was valedictorian of the Class of 2002.

Each of the scholarship winners was asked to write an essay on "Character, Service and Catholic Education." The winning essay, by Dominick Richards of St. Joseph Regional Academy in Jim Thorpe, was read at the ceremony and Richards also received a special award from Bishop Cullen.

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