PBA ANNOUNCES 2021 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION SCHOLARSHIPS
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2021) – Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) has announced that four of its seniors have been awarded the school’s annual Women of Distinction scholarships, funded with proceeds from the yearly Women of Distinction luncheon. The Women of Distinction scholarships are awarded to female PBA seniors who demonstrate outstanding academics, service and leadership.
This year’s Women of Distinction luncheon, which recognizes women who work to better their communities, was cancelled in order to protect participants from potential spread of COVID-19. Instead, past recipients will be honored in a number of safe, creative ways throughout the year, and a grand 30th anniversary Women of Distinction celebration is planned for February 2022, co-chaired Eileen Burns of West Palm Beach and Frances Fisher of Palm Beach.
The 2021 scholarship recipients are: Maria Landron of Royal Palm Beach, Florida; Rebekah Chin of Port St. Lucie, Florida; Leah Woods of Piedmont, South Dakota; and Alysse Armstrong of Merritt Island, Florida.
Landron, a public relations major, was selected as a Freidheim Fellow in the LeMieux Center for Public Policy. Her research project on U.S. immigration policy was partly informed by a visit to the Arizona-Mexico border, undertaken as part of her capstone public relations program of work. She completed internships with West Palm Beach’s Moore Agency and the Village of Royal Palm Beach where she led a campaign to encourage participation in the U.S. Census. The (Palm Beach County) Census League recognized the village for the campaign’s success and the village honored Landron for her leadership role. Landron hopes her PR skills can help “shape the way that people view our immigration issues.” She is considering enrolling in graduate school.
Chin, an education major, began her student teaching virtually last fall at Jerry Thomas Elementary School in Jupiter before switching to hybrid teaching with some students in attendance and others online. Despite the challenges that posed, she loves teaching and believes that God has called her to the field of education. She credits her professors at PBA with preparing her to adapt to changing situations and never losing sight of the goal – to inspire children to learn. “I’m very honored and thankful to have received this scholarship,” Chin said, “because I really would not have been able to come to Palm Beach Atlantic if it were not for financial aid and scholarships like this.”
Woods majored in human performance and sport / recreation and tourism administration, which enhanced her associate’s degree in business administration that she earned before transferring to PBA. She thinks she may pursue a marketing career, but she also imagines someday owning a fitness facility. “I have a lot of options with this major, which is why I chose it,” she said. She was fascinated by her science courses, such as Human Structure and Functions. On the athletics front, Woods had planned to play on PBA’s new beach volleyball team but was sidelined with an injury. While that was disappointing, “the Lord has opened up so many other exciting opportunities,” she said.
Armstrong is a business management major, with a concentration in entrepreneurship. “In the long run I would love to open up my own business,” she said. Next fall she plans to study in Italy. She grew up in a military family, moving around a lot, including living in Germany. “So I love living in a different culture.” At PBA she has enjoyed being a resident advisor, serving more than 30 underclassmen in Baxter Hall. “I got to help these girls transition to a new season in life, and to mentor them through this hard time with COVID.” She feels honored to receive the scholarship. “It’s a recognition of what I’ve accomplished here.”
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in West Palm Beach, Orlando and online. The University is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for learning, leadership and service.