March 27 was the fifth annual Bowling for Scholars event
Joe Douglas
– Staff Writer –
Hundreds of students, faculty and staff from the four STLCC college campuses came to the Strike and Spare Lanes bowling alley on March 27 for the fifth annual Bowling for Scholars event.
“All of the money we raise goes to students,” Ellen Gough said, manager of Auxiliary Services at Wildwood and coordinator of the Bowling for Scholars event. “With the economy the way it is, we’re trying to make it easy for students to buy books for school.”
Each year Bowling for Scholars invites students, faculty and staff from all St. Louis Community College campuses to bowl, talk, and just have a good time.
“I like the camaraderie of the campuses, and I get to meet new people, and [I like] the fact the proceeds go to students for their books,” Jane Nickles, manager of the South County Education and University Center book store, said. Nickles has been a volunteer for all four previous Bowling for Scholars events. This is her fifth time. “It’s a lot of fun.”
All 48 lanes were filled by individuals from each campus who were willing to do their part as members of the St. Louis community to help students.
“It’s nice to be able to talk to our teachers and see them in action,” Jennifer Snyder, a Meramec student, said.
The Bowling for Scholars scholarship application is available in the Student Financial Aid office or on the STLCC website under Financial Aid. According to scholarship details, it provides up to $150 for students who qualify. These qualifications include demonstrating financial need under the standard federal needs analysis formula without eligibility Pell Grant, having strong academic standing and having a minimum GPA of 2.0. The scholarship is not yet available.
Gough said the Bowling for Scholars event was first devised five years ago by Auxiliary Services Director Don Penrod in an effort to make school books more affordable for students through scholarships.
According to Gough, it all started with a team day exercise for staff development, working to discover ways to make college expenses easier on students. Don Penrod, who is no longer the director, organized the first Bowling for Scholars event at Dick Weber Lanes in Florissant Valley. 100 bowlers signed up and Auxiliary services raised approximately $6,500. The money was distributed between 72 students across the district through Bowling for Scholars.
From there, the amount of money raised only increased. According to Gough, Auxiliary Services raised approximately $13,000 in 2006. In 2007, $16,000. In 2008, it reached $20,000.
“We hope to reach $20,000 to $25,000 this year,” Gough said.
