Once again, the BWC was able to award five scholarships with a sixth awarded by Joan White and her family in memory of her son, Daniel Schlosser. Pictured from left to right are Committee Chairman Dot Neenan, Junior Paul, Kelley Aucello, Franceline Germain, Billy Myrtil and Committee Member Marcie Pallone. Sitting is Jennifer Fleuridor. Inset is Jessica Morgia who was not able to attend the ceremony.

Six scholarships awarded by BWC in 2012

by Barbara Erlichman

When the Boynton Woman's Club awarded its first scholarship back in 1935 it was one of the highlights of the year - and it still is 77 years later. On April 19, the club gave five scholarships to local high school students. The seniors are all residents of Boynton Beach who will attend a Florida college in the fall.

Dot Neenan, the committee chairman, said, "There are always so many outstanding students and it's extremely difficult to make our decision. One of our requirements is community service and it's amazing how much the students give back to the community on top of their other commitments."

This year's BWC scholarship winners are: Kelley Aucello, Jennifer Fleuridor, Junior Paul, Franceline Germain and Jessica Morgia.

Kelley Aucello attends Atlantic High School and has 139 hours of community service. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Society and the International Baccalaureate Program. When not studying, she is an expert Irish step dancer. She also tutors children and volunteers at Old School Square. Kelley plans to attend the University of Florida to study environment sciences. Her parents are Joseph and Lennie and her counselor is Kelly Bruce.

Another Atlantic High School student, Jennifer Fleuridor, has 210 hours of community service. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Society as well as the National Social Studies Society. Jennifer volunteers at Delray Medical Center, tutors and helps teachers. She plans to attend Florida Atlantic University to study biology and eventually hopes to go into medicine. She is the daughter of Theresa Tiluscar and Kelly Bruce is also her counselor.

Junior Paul attends Boynton Beach High School and has 255 hours of community service. An athlete, he plays football, basketball and volleyball. In addition, he also finds time to volunteer at Education Rocks, Big Brother, Dialogue Program on Student Violence, Boynton Beach Clean-Up and the United Way. He has completed high school in only three years and has been accepted at three different colleges. He will be majoring in Business in order to help fulfill his dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. Eugene and Manise Paul are his parents and his counselor is Nedilia Charles.

Lake Worth High School student Franceline Germain has 106 hours of community service. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Society. Franceline volunteers at ASPIRA, Buddies Program, Schoolhouse Children's Museum and Bethesda Hospital. She plans to attend Palm Beach State College to study nursing. Her parents are Francine and Mita Germain. Monique Remus is her guidance counselor.

Jessica Morgia attends Santaluces High School and has 128 hours of community service. She, too, is a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Society. Jessica is already an accomplished chef and has worked at various culinary functions including church breakfasts and benefits. She also finds time to volunteer at Starlight Cove, the Miami Zoo and DECA. Accepted at Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute, she is already enrolled and taking courses towards her goal of a Bachelor degree in food service. Neither Jessica nor her parents, Anthony and Lisa Morgia were present at the luncheon but she was represented by Counselor Melissa Renda who read Jessica’s statement of appreciation to the club. Jennifer’s ambition is to become a professional chef.

An additional scholarship was awarded this year, the Daniel C. Schlosser Memorial Scholarship, which was funded with contributions from the family and friends of Boynton Woman's Club’s Past President Joan White. This scholarship is in memory of her son, Daniel, and was offered to a South Tech Academy Student. His widow, Ann Schlosser and daughter, Skye Schlosser, traveled from Boston to attend the ceremony. Mrs. White presented the check to recipient Billy Myrtil.

South Tech Academy's Billy Myrtil has performed a mind-boggling 663 hours of community service. He's a member of the National Honor Society and also found time to volunteer at DECA, Bethesda Hospital and Forest Park Elementary School. He has won numerous awards for his designs and was recently the winner of a T-shirt contest for the EleVen collection by tennis champion Venus Williams. Active in student government, Billy also helped with the senior yearbook. He plans to attend the Art Institute of Florida. His parents are Philisma and Sylrina and his Counselor is Erin Kurtz.

The money from these five scholarships came entirely from our 2011-2012 scholarship raffle. In addition to the students who benefited from these awards, many members and friends did likewise. To see a list of the winners so far, please look to your right.

Approximately 65 members and guests attended the luncheon meeting where they met these outstanding young people.