Scholarships totaling $7,000 awarded in an effort to make college more affordable
INDIANAPOLIS – The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Foundation today announced it has awarded $7,000 in scholarships to sorority women, as part of NPC’s efforts to make college more affordable. The 2018 NPC Foundation scholarship award recipients are:
- Alex Atashi of University of California-San Diego and University of Southern California
- Amanda Carver of University of Oregon
- Jenna Omassi of University of British Columbia and University College London
- Ashley Pollicelli of Tulane University
- Taylor Siffermann of Arizona State University
- Grace Solomita of SUNY Oneonta and Long Island University-Post Campus
“It was a challenging, yet gratifying experience to select the recipients of this year’s scholarship awards,” said Janet Brown, Alpha Omicron Pi and president of the NPC Foundation Board of Trustees. “Our Scholarship Committee reviewed more than 155 applications across six scholarships. The students selected are dedicated scholars, possess strong leadership skills and have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the sorority experience.
“On behalf of the Foundation, I would like to wish all of the recipients well for the upcoming academic year,” Brown added. “I’d also like to thank the organizations and individuals who continue to help us expand the number of scholarships we can award. We appreciate your support of NPC’s efforts regarding the sorority experience and college affordability.”
More about each scholarship and its recipient follows.
Alpha Phi/Betty Mullins Jones Scholarship
Amanda Carver, Delta Delta Delta, is the recipient of the Alpha Phi/Betty Mullins Jones Scholarship. The Alpha Phi/Betty Mullins Jones Scholarship was established by the Alpha Phi Foundation to honor Betty Mullins Jones’ commitment to NPC. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a collegiate Panhellenic woman who has worked to further her fraternal community’s reputation on her campus and who embodies the values of sisterhood, philanthropy and scholarship. Carver has a double major in communication disorders & sciences and psychology. She makes a difference in sorority life by serving on her College Panhellenic at the University of Oregon in Eugene, first as a recruitment counselor (2017) and now as vice president of recruitment (2018).
“Being involved in leadership positions on campus has been the greatest experience of my college career,” said Amanda Carver. “I always strive to achieve the best grades, to give back to my chapter and community, to be an exemplary member of my sisterhood and to excel in everything I do. Scholarships help me continue to achieve success in these areas.”
Carole Jurenko Jones Scholarship
Jenna Omassi, Gamma Phi Beta, is the recipient of the Carole Jurenko Jones Scholarship, established by Alpha Omicron Pi to honor Carole Jurenko Jones’ commitment to NPC, including serving as the 2017-19 NPC chairman. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a sorority woman who has served in a chapter or Panhellenic leadership role. As an undergraduate, Omassi was active in her College Panhellenic community at University of British Columbia, where she majored in international relations and religious studies. Now, as an alumnae member, she has served as the vice president and president for the Vancouver Alumnae Panhellenic Association in Vancouver, British Columbia. Omassi is a graduate student pursuing a master of science in security studies at University College London.
“Throughout my time as both a collegiate member of Gamma Phi Beta and my time as an alumna, I have been actively involved in the Panhellenic community,” said Jenna Omassi. “In all positions, I have brought about positive change to the Panhellenic community, as well as culture change, where needed, to help our organizations stay relevant to our members.”
Elizabeth Ahlemeyer Quick/Gamma Phi Beta Scholarship
Ashley Pollicelli, Kappa Alpha Theta, is the recipient of the Elizabeth “Betty” Ahlemeyer Quick/Gamma Phi Beta Scholarship. This scholarship was established to honor Betty Quick’s long and devoted service to NPC and Gamma Phi Beta. This $2,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a sorority woman who has displayed outstanding service to her local College Panhellenic. Pollicelli is majoring in biological chemistry with a minor in psychology on the pre-medical track, and she aims to be a pediatric surgeon. Pollicelli is the philanthropy chair for the Tulane Panhellenic Council, where she has planned and managed the annual “Greek Groove” fundraiser for the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation. She also planned, fundraised for and participated in a trip to Malawi to help build a school for children in that country.
“It was not until I became involved in my sorority, and later, the Panhellenic Executive Board, that I felt like I made a home for myself at Tulane, and was happy with my college career,” said Ashley Pollicelli. “I have learned to be confident and lead others, and I have found a path in life I am so proud to be pursuing. I am so proud to be a Panhellenic officer and can only hope to continue inspiring others. Kappa Alpha Theta and NPC have made their mark on me, and I hope this scholarship will help enable me to make my mark on the world.”
Mary Louise Roller Scholarship
Grace Solomita, Sigma Delta Tau, is the recipient of the Mary Louise Roller Scholarship, which was funded by a grant from Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity in honor of Mrs. Roller’s 33-year tenure on Alpha Omicron Pi’s Panhellenic delegation. The Mary Louise Roller Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship for an undergraduate woman who plans to attend graduate school the following fall. Solomita plans to attend Long Island University-Post Campus to earn a master’s degree in school counseling. While attending SUNY Oneonta as an undergraduate, Solomita served in a number of roles for her sorority, including assistant new member educator, philanthropy chair, vice president of scholarship and secretary. She also served on the Inter Greek Council/Panhellenic Council as scholarship director and secretary.
“Sigma Delta Tau gave me a home away from home, helped me make friends that turned into family and brought out qualities I never saw in myself,” said Grace Solomita. “Through my experience on the Panhellenic and Inter Greek councils, I worked with people I never would have before and truly felt as though I was able to have an impact on the fraternity and sorority community. My Panhellenic experience has been an amazing one and I hope I have helped others love theirs as well.”
Phoenix Panhellenic Association Centennial Scholarship
Taylor Siffermann, Alpha Chi Omega, is the recipient of the Phoenix Panhellenic Association Centennial Scholarship. Funded in honor of the Phoenix Panhellenic Association’s centennial, this annually awarded $1,000 scholarship is presented to a sorority woman who lives in or is enrolled in a college or university in Arizona. Siffermann is majoring in marketing and law at Arizona State University. She has served on the junior College Panhellenic as a delegate, as a vice president on the College Panhellenic and as a member of the Greek Conduct Board. In 2017, she was named the “Most Outstanding Sophomore” for her collegiate sorority chapter.
“Joining Alpha Chi Omega and the Panhellenic community has given me so much,” said Taylor Siffermann. “I am a ‘real strong woman,’ I stand up for what I believe in and I can be a part of something bigger than myself and actually make a difference. This award will help make my life a little easier financially so I can keep pushing and making a change in the world.”
Sigma Kappa Courage and Conviction Scholarship
Alex Atashi, Chi Omega, is the recipient of the Sigma Kappa Courage and Conviction Scholarship, funded by Sigma Kappa to honor Donna Crain King’s service as 2015-17 NPC chairman. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a sorority woman who has displayed significant service or contributions to her chapter, university or community at large and demonstrated noteworthy “courage and conviction.” Atashi graduated from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), with a bachelor’s degree in communication. She then earned a master’s degree in post-secondary administration and student affairs from the University of Southern California (USC). She now is enrolled at USC where she plans to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership. As an undergraduate student, Atashi served as her sorority’s fundraising director, director of programming and chapter president. As an alumnae member, she has continued to serve her sorority as an area recruitment information chair.
“As a first-generation, low income, Latina student, I was searching for a sense of community at a large, public university,” said Alex Atashi. “I joined Chi Omega my first year at UCSD and found a family, opportunities, responsibility and challenges. I will always be grateful for the confidence the Panhellenic community gave me to follow my passion for improving higher education.”
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About the National Panhellenic Conference Foundation
Established in 1995, the National Panhellenic Conference Foundation promotes values and ethics for sorority women and
encourages all members to be active and responsible leaders in their communities. The Foundation’s mission is supported
through the sponsorship of NPC educational and charitable programs. (npcwomen.org/foundation)
About the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
NPC, one of the largest organizations advocating for women, is the umbrella group for 26 national and international
sororities. NPC sororities are located on more than 670 campuses with 380,565 undergraduate members in 3,234
chapters. Alumnae are represented in 3,889 associations throughout the world. For more information, including a complete
list of NPC sororities, visit npcwomen.org or find NPC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
