John M. Perzel Announces 2005-06 House Scholarship Winners

HARRISBURG – On behalf of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship Program Committee, Speaker of the House John M. Perzel (R-Philadelphia) today announced Dana Bruck, a recent graduate of Berlin Brothers Valley High School (Somerset County), and Lisa Hershey, a 2005 graduate of Northern Lebanon High School (Lebanon County), as the 2005 House of Representatives’ Scholarship winners.

“Young people who value education and strive to fulfill their potential stand out, and Dana and Lisa are shining examples of the pool of talent Pennsylvania has to offer,” said Perzel. “The House Scholarship Program was established to recognize and reward students for academic achievement and community and school leadership, and I am proud to announce them today as our winners.”

Bruck, daughter of Timothy and Pamela Bruck of Fairhope, Somerset County, is a constituent of Rep. Bob Bastian and will attend the University of Pittsburgh. Hershey is the daughter of Jay and Carol Hershey, and resides in Jonestown, Lebanon County. She is a constituent of Rep. Pete Zug, and will attend Eastern University, located outside of Philadelphia.

Bruck and Hershey were selected by an independent panel organized by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Nearly 300 scholarship applications were submitted and evaluated based on leadership qualities, commitment to community, academic achievements and extra-curricular activities. Applicants also had to compose a personal essay entitled “The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is or is not the voice of the people.”

The scholarships can be renewed for each of the students’ four years of college and consists of the value of one semester of tuition at a State System of Higher Education school (approximately $2,400 for the 2005-2006 academic year). Students may attend any Pennsylvania public or private post-secondary “eligible educational institution” as defined by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). In addition, Bruck and Hershey may be eligible to receive matching funds from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s (PHEAA) PATH Program. Their names will be submitted to PHEAA and a matching award will be granted based upon their remaining financial need.

Bruck and Hershey, along with their parents, have been invited to the state Capitol on Monday, June 27, to be recognized by Perzel in the Chamber of the House of Representatives.

The House Scholarship Program is independently administered by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, a nonprofit organization designed to stimulate philanthropy and enhance the quality of life in the community through accumulating, managing and disbursing financial assets and by serving as a catalyst and neutral convener to meet a wide range of community needs.

The House program is funded by donations from organizations and individuals, including former and current House members, as well as proceeds from special events.

For information about the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship Program, including complete eligibility requirements and application information, www.pahousescholarship.com.