The Gloucester County Children’s Choir announces scholarship winners
During the Choir’s Spring concert, six members were awarded scholarships for their academic performance and active involvement with the choir. The GCCC Scholarship program was established in 2010 to provide funding for students to pursue higher education. Scholarship funds are held in trust by the choir and not disbursed until such time that the chorister commences his or her high education.
Kaylin Young, of Swedesboro, was awarded the top prize in the Gloucester County Children’s Choir Scholarship Program for the 2013-2014 season. Young, who has been a member of the choir since 2006, graduated from Kingsway Regional High in June 2015.
An active member of the choir who participated in the choir’s 2009 trip to Vienna, Austria, Young is active in her school and in her community. She participated in: Delta GEMS, Nordstrom Fashion Board; Drama Club; Culture Club; and Students United for Respect and Equality, where she serves as Secretary.
“The best lesson being in GCCC has taught me is that beauty can be found in everything. There have been nights when drowsiness overtakes me and I know I have to go home to more homework and my agitation is hitting the roof. But then I hear the alto section sing their part so flawlessly… and I have to smile,” said Young in her Scholarship essay.
Young will receive $500 upon her high school graduation to be applied to her future studies.
In addition to Young’s $500 award, five exemplary young people received $250 scholarships this year through the GCCC Scholarship program.
Bobby Kramer, of Sewell, who attends Washington Township High School, has been a member of the GCCC since 2008. Kramer is also active in several community and school activities including: Karate; Boy Scouts; Episcopal Diocesan Council; and volunteering with Kitchen of Hope and with Family Promise of Gloucester County. He is also a member of the Washington Township High School Chorus and Inspiration Chorus at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Glassboro.
“It was through the GCCC that I was given a deeper appreciation for music; one which allowed me to pursue music in other places, “ wrote Kramer in his Scholarship essay. “(GCCC) will always be the seed that led to the great tree that is my love of singing, and it is a tree I hope continues to grow, and even inspire others someday.” Kramer will graduate from Washington Township High School in 2015. He plans to minor in musical arts in college.
Meredith Strom, of Woodbury has been a member of the choir since 2007. A straight-A student at Woodbury High School, Strom was a scholarship winner last year as well. She is very active in her school and her community. Her activities include: swimming, tennis, Ecology Club, Math League, Color Guard (captain) Band (bassoon, treasurer) Wind Ensemble, Girl Scouts, Episcopal Youth Community, Acolyte, 30-hour Famine, Mission trips and Bible school.
“Every new person who joins the choir I try to greet with a smile and get to know them. I know when I joined the choir the thing I liked most about it was that everyone was so nice and welcoming. The leadership role I took on (in GCCC) allowed me to take leadership in other areas of my life,” wrote Strom in her Scholarship essay.
Strom will attend college and said she “would like to play bassoon in the college band and continue to sing in choirs throughout my life.”
Aaron Hall, of Franklinville, has been a member of the GCCC since 2011. Hall attends Delsea Regional High School and is an active member of the Youth Council of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. He also participates in basketball, mission trips, feeding the homeless, and helping out with the Sandy relief activities on the East Coast. Hall has not determined where he will pursue his college career when he graduates from Delsea High School in 2015 but he plans to continue his musical career with the choir next season!
“Having a great choir Director like Mrs. Richardson has made the process of learning more about music a lot easier and fun,” wrote Hall in his Scholarship essay. “The Gloucester County Children’s Choir has helped me tremendously. If someone was interested in joining a choir, I would definitely recommend this choir.”
Raymond Tyler Karwacki, of Sewell, has been a member of the choir since 2009. Tyler is home-schooled and enjoys a number of sports including soccer and basket ball. He also participates in Gloucester County Summer Theater and the outreach program at Maria Goretti Church, making sandwiches for homeless people in Camden. Tyler will be attending Gloucester County College in the ACT Program.
Of his experience with the Choir, Karwacki said, “Being in the choir taught me that it is fun to perform, especially at Christmastime, and it’s good to get applause after we perform. It taught me that practice makes perfect.”
Kyle Hayes of Woodbury Heights, attends Gateway Regional High School, where he will graduate in 2015. Hayes participates in a number of arts organizations including: Gateway High School marching band, Madrigals and musical theater; Learning Stages Summer Theater; and the All South Jersey Choir. Kyle’s immediate plans after graduation include serving in the military after which he will attend college.
Of his GCCC experience, Hayes said, “GCCC allowed me to meet other kids like myself and helped me to grow into an outgoing young man. GCCC helped transform me.”
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The Gloucester County Children's Choir 