Newtown VNA Is Offering Two Scholarships

The Newtown Visiting Nurse Association is once again offering three nursing scholarships to Newtown residents. The Newtown VNA Scholarship Program was established in 1972 and to date has awarded a total of $91,750.

The first scholarship, the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association Anna E. Clow Scholarship, is given annually to encourage interest and growth in the nursing profession by offering financial assistance to a graduating high school senior, who is a Newtown resident. The scholarship is given on the basis of interest in the nursing profession, scholarship ability, personality, and recommendation by the guidance department and the principal. The scholarship is available to students entering the profession of nursing and studying for an RN (registered nurse) degree or a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing).

The amount of the scholarship is $4,000 and is awarded when the recipient has entered the clinical portion of the nursing program, at least the second year of nursing education.

The second scholarship, the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association Janice B. Van Syckle Scholarship, is given annually to encourage interest and growth in the nursing profession by offering financial assistance to a graduating high school senior, who is a Newtown resident. The scholarship is given on the basis of interest in the nursing profession, scholarship ability, personality, and recommendation buy the guidance department and the principal. This scholarship is available to students entering a nursing program giving a bachelor of science nursing degree (BSN).

The Visiting Nurse Association Janice B Van Syckle Scholarship was established by Dr Guy Van Syckle, MD, to honor his wife and her lifelong interest in the nursing profession. Mrs Van Syckle served as a head nurse at Hartford Hospital. She was also an active member of Newtown VNA for many years, served as president from 1988 to 1991, and was an enthusiastic member of many committees including the Scholarship Committee.

The amount of the scholarship is $2,500 and is awarded when the recipient has entered the clinical portion of the nursing program, at least the second year of nursing education.

The third scholarship, the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association Mary M. Holian Scholarship for Returning Students, was established in 1988 in honor and appreciation of Mary M. Holian of Newtown, for her dedication and leadership in the field of public health nursing both in Newtown and the State of Connecticut.

Consideration for the Mary M. Holian Scholarship is given to students who live in Newtown and are returning to school for a nursing degree, which could include RN, BSN, MSN (master of science in nursing), or APRN (nurse practitioners degree). Applicants must be entering their second year of training, provided they have completed their first year within the last five years or have changed their major to nursing and are entering their second year of training.

The amount of this scholarship is $2,000.

VNA-Anna E. Clow and the Janice B. Van Syckle applications are available at the high school Career Center. Interviews are held in April and the recipient will be announced at the Newtown High School awards program.

VNA-Mary M. Holian applications may be obtained by calling Sally Schwerdtle, chairman of the scholarship committee, at 203-268-8333 or by written request to the VNA Scholarship Committee, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.