A new scholarship program, the Inspire Scholarships, was launched by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. The scholarships will be given to Batavia Public School District 101 high school seniors each year, with up to four awards given.
The four scholarships, worth at least $500 each, are motivated by the makeup of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce membership. Because the Chamber’s signature awards event is called Inspire: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!, the names for each of the categories invokes this sentiment. The scholarships are:
• Inspiring Entrepreneurship;
• Inspiring Women in Business;
• Inspiring Career & Technical Achievers;
• Inspiring Contributors to a Batavia Chamber Business.
According to Margaret Perreault, the thinking behind the scholarship program is two-fold.
“As a community-minded organization, we were searching for another avenue to support our community,” Ms Perreault said. “Also, in discussions with our member businesses we repeatedly heard how difficult it is to hire well-trained and/or educated employees.
“It only makes sense that we help inspire students to further their education so they will be ready to fulfill those jobs that our members struggle to fill.”
Although each scholarship is a minimum of $500, it is hoped that the actual award will be more. The Chamber is accepting donations toward this scholarship fund and will hold a Paddle Raise at the upcoming Inspire 2020 event to increase the awards.
Each scholarship has a topic-specific application. For instance, the Inspiring Entrepreneurship scholarship is to reward a student who has interest starting a business to encourage consideration to move to Batavia. One of the questions for this award is to “Cite one successful entrepreneur that you are aware of in Batavia and what you can learn from them.”
Applications for any of these scholarships will be accepted through Friday, April 3. The actual amount of each scholarship will be determined following the Batavia Chamber’s Inspire Awards Ceremony Thursday, Jan. 23. The financial award will be paid directly to the institute the recipient will be attending. The application must be fully completed and submitted to the Batavia Chamber by 4 p.m. Friday, April 3. Each scholarship recipient will be notified by E-mail no later than Friday, April 17.
The public is invited to Inspire 2020: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! The event takes place Thursday, Jan. 23, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Nagel Emporium at Marmion’s Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road, in Aurora. The Inspire Scholarship Paddle Raise and the awards presentation of the Citizen of the Year, Nannette ‘Nan’ Phillips; Spirit of Batavia, CHIP IN Batavia; Ole Award winners, and the Ambassador of the Year will follow a social reception.
General admission tickets for Batavia Chamber members cost $50, with non-member admission at $60. Reserved tables of 10 are available. Please purchase tickets by Monday, Jan. 20. Online purchasing is available at bataviachamber.org, or call the Chamber office at 630-879-7134. The price includes heavy appetizers and a champagne toast. A cash bar is available, and cocktail or business attire is suggested.
For more information about the event or the awards, please call Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, or Patti Anselme, special events coordinator, at 630-879-7134.
A business-centered organization, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce sponsors or is involved with several annual Batavia events; including the annual Mayor’s Breakfast, Citizen of the Year/Ole Awards Event. Membership and information about upcoming Chamber and community events are available online at bataviachamber.org or by calling 630-879-7134.
— Batavia Chamber of Commerce