Oaklawn Foundation
About the Endowment Fund
The Oaklawn Foundation Community Scholars Endowment Fund was created in 2004. This scholarship is awarded to students who complete substantial and substantive community service and who have demonstrated financial need. Recipients have completed 100 hours of volunteer service in the greater Bridgeport community during the academic year.
Student Recipients
Lauren Bayreuther
Hometown: Grafton, MA
Major: Biology
"Volunteering is very important to me and has always been a part of my life. Growing up I spent a lot of time volunteering and giving back to my community. Coming into college as a freshman I was nervous that I would no longer have the same opportunities to volunteer as I did in my hometown. I have found this to be untrue at Sacred Heart University. I started my freshman year with helping the Bridgeport community by participating in the Community Connections pre-fall program. By the end of the week I had volunteered at many sites such as: Caroline’s House, Northbridge Nursing Home, and Dress for Success, just to name a few. I learned a lot during my time in Community Connections. It taught me not to be afraid of just being myself and that giving back to the community you live in, even if it is the smallest things can make a big impact. Throughout the year I continued to find ways to be involved at the community level with Community and Justice Living Learning Community. With this program I was able to help at Green Village Farm and wrap presents for families in the Bridgeport community around Christmas time. This year I was also fortunate enough to volunteer at the Special Olympics Connecticut. This opportunity was an amazing experience and taught me to enjoy the details of life, as every achievement, no matter how small, can be a victory. Volunteering has taught me to be grateful for each opportunity and that each person I meet has something to offer as experience, knowledge, or an example of how to overcome an obstacle. It has given me an inner strength to know that I can make a difference with even the smallest gesture. Volunteering has always been a big part of my life, and I know that I will always find a way to continue to give back to my community throughout college and beyond."
Victoria Iannone
Hometown: Prospect, CT
Major: Exercise Science
"I am a sophomore at Sacred Heart University studying exercise science, which will allow me to continue into the doctoral of physical therapy program. I have volunteered throughout my life at my parish and in my local community. My first year at SHU allowed me to volunteer in a variety of places beginning with the R.I.S.E. program, Best Buddies, service learning trip to Costa Rica, my work study at the Bridgeport magnet school and other opportunities through the Exercise Science Club and volunteer services. Volunteering with R.I.S.E. I was able to meet with my buddy, who is one of my peers that is disabled, once a week. I got to learn certain needs that they require while participating in a certain activity. This will help me in the future as a physical therapist. I hope I get the chance to work with either special needs students or adults in the future as a physical therapist. I truly appreciate receiving this scholarship."
Sarah Idarraga
Hometown: Stratford, CT
Major: Health Science with a Concentration in Public Health
"What I most love about being a member of the SHU community is all of the available opportunities and programs. Community service and other workshops have all helped me prepare for my future career. Because of SHU, I have learned so much and aspire to continue expanding my knowledge, as well as helping others. My professional goals after I graduate is to enroll in an accelerated nursing program and become a registered nurse. My major is Health Science with a concentration in Public Health and through this profession I have learned so much about the health field and the different roles within it. Most importantly, Public Health looks at how diseases can be prevented and how health can be improved in communities. The experience outside the classroom that I most enjoy is being able to participate in the community service program within the Greater Bridgeport area. I currently volunteer at Lifebridge Community Services and it's an organization that helps people who are impacted by poverty and are also challenged by social and health issues. I am proud and happy to volunteer at LifeBridge since serving others is my passion.
Thank you so much this scholarship! Not only has it made it possible for me to study, but it has given me countless opportunities to become the person I want to be. Being the first generation in my family to go to college in the USA, I feel privileged and grateful to be going to Sacred Heart. May God always bless you. Thank you."
Victoria Nelson
Hometown: Warwick, RI
Major: Biology
"I am a senior majoring in Biology on track to become a Physician Assistant. Throughout my life, I have been very involved with volunteering in my community. I consider myself very lucky that Sacred Heart University helps me fulfill my love for volunteering. During my freshman year, I participated in Community Connections, which helped me gain knowledge about my volunteer opportunities throughout the city. Throughout my time at Sacred Heart, I have volunteered at Daughters for Charity in Bridgeport, The Jewish Home, and with the YMCA in Bridgeport, CT. This scholarship will help me continue participating in many different volunteering opportunities that SHU has to offer, which I am very excited about. Throughout my last year here, I hope to continue volunteering as much as possible since it has such a positive impact on my life and education. I am very grateful for this scholarship and opportunity. Thank you for your support!"
Carly Niemiec
Hometown: Chicopee, MA
Major: Biology
"Being a part of the community I live in has always been important to me. By coming to Sacred Heart, I have experienced an overwhelming sense of involvement through volunteering and I am so privileged to volunteer throughout the community around my campus. As a sophomore biology major from Chicopee, MA hoping to join the healthcare field, having hands on experience helping the Bridgeport community has given me the opportunity to work with and get to know so many amazing people. By having the opportunity to volunteer at various places throughout the community, such as building homes with Habitat for Humanity and helping a community garden with Green Village Initiative, I have learned so much about the people around me. Volunteering has shaped who I am, as it has always been a major part of my life and I am very fortunate to be able to continue helping others while away at college. Thank you so much for granting me this scholarship and I greatly look forward to continuing my involvement throughout my college community over the next year."
Pavel Ramirez
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Major: Accounting & Finance
"Education has been the most important goal to achieve in my life which is why I, a rising junior at Sacred Heart University majoring in Accounting and Finance, will continue to work hard & prioritize everything towards my education. I was given the privilege to attend Sacred Heart University and more important, I am able to complete community service hours. Thank you, Tana Barnes, who happens to work at The Discovery Museum and gave me the opportunity to volunteer in addition to all the clubs and organizations I am involved in. As well as education, giving back to my community is very important in my life which is why I started doing it during my senior year of high school. I have had the privilege to work with amazing and wonderful people in my community and learned that it is good to give back and helped those in need. There’s no doubt that I will continue to work hard at Sacred Heart University focusing on everything that will help me achieve my goals and keep giving back to my community."
Maria Sowell
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Major: Social Work
"Volunteering has been a part of my life since I was 9 years old. I remember offering to help two elderly ladies carry bags home from the grocery store. I would go by their house and ask them if there was something I could do for them. I would take out their garbage, vacuum, dust and wash dishes. These things gave me such a a joy to help someone and I still feel the same way. I have volunteered with Child & Family Guidance Center helping with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program. I would provide the childcare for the grandchildren that attended, help with homework, and talk about any problem they had at home or school. When I did my internship at Jewish Senior Day Care Center, I advocated for the seniors to have a voice as voters and know how important it is for them to vote. I provided information to them on where to vote and where they can register to vote, and that rides could be provided to them if needed. As a member of the Social Work club, I have been involved in the toy collecting for Cesar Batalla School. I will continue to volunteer in the community with issues of promoting education to our future generation and supporting our elderly. Thank you so much for choosing me as a recipient of this scholarship!"
Christine Thorp
Hometown: Wallingford, CT
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
"I am a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major. My goal is to become an elementary school teacher. I have been volunteering my entire life, and most of my earliest memories are spending weekends volunteering at a variety of community service events with my family. I continued my love of helping others here at SHU through volunteering with my athletic team, sorority, and on my own. I volunteer with the Trail of Terror in Wallingford, CT, the Special Olympics CT, and other various community organizations. Through volunteering here at SHU, I have been able to help others in new and exciting ways as well as learn more about the greater Bridgeport area. I can't wait to continue spreading my love for helping others and continue volunteering throughout my college career. Thank you so much for granting me this scholarship. It will significantly aid in my academic career as well as grant me the opportunity to continue helping others in my community."
Eric Torres
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Major: Education
"I have found it to be both a pleasure and an absolute honor to serve others through volunteerism. As the Marine Toys for Tots Coordinator in Bridgeport and for five other surrounding towns I have been able to lead a team of volunteers to distribute over 3,000 unwrapped toys to families who are facing financial hardships. It has blessed my heart to know that there will be one less child waking up on Christmas morning without a gift beneath the Christmas tree. I have also distributed over 1,300 backpacks filled with school supplies during the last 11 years as the "Back to School Summer Jam: Backpack Giveback" coordinator. I also coordinate monthly Trendsetter Teen Support Groups and the Parents With a Purpose Support Groups. These two support groups provide adolescents and parents with social, emotional, and spiritual support. I have learned to love beyond words and to also love my neighbor as myself. These community service opportunities help me to understand that any act of kindness can change people, neighborhoods, and cities. I look forward to continually volunteering in my community and appreciate the support of the Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship!"
Sophia Yanes
Hometown: Stamford, CT
Major: Biology
"My passion for volunteer work started when I was very young. Growing up in a different country made me see the world in so many different ways. I wasn't always the one giving, but also receiving, which made my volunteer experience much more important. Sacred Heart University has given me several opportunities to participate in volunteer work not only in the Bridgeport community, but in different countries as well. The program that is very important to me is the Spring Break International Service Programs because it allows me to unite with my culture and helps me practice my bilingual abilities. These programs have taught me that the language barrier is not a problem when there is love and happiness being spread. I plan to keep volunteering and helping in any way I can at Sacred Heart University. I would like to thank SHU for the many opportunities it has given me and would also like to thank the Oaklawn Foundation Community Scholars Program for the support and making this passion of volunteering possible."
Donate
To make a donation by check, make checks payable to Sacred Heart University and mail to:
Sacred Heart University
University Advancement
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825