For
the fourth year, Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption,
including neighboring countries, (FRUA) is pleased to announce the
distributing scholarships through its FRUA Scholarship Program. FRUA
has awarded two 2013 scholarships: $1,000 for a high school senior,
and $1,000 for a post-secondary student. This is the only scholarship
program created specifically for students adopted from the former
Soviet bloc countries.
The
FRUA 2013 Scholarship for the High School Senior was awarded to Chris
McAttee, the son of Eric and Sally McAttee, members of
FRUA-Wisconsin. The McAttee family adopted him from Russia in 1998,
when he was not quite six-years-old. Chris, an honor student, has
just graduated from Pius XI High School in Milwaukee and plans to
attend the University of Wisconsin, with the goal of practicing
pediatric medicine.
Chris
was elected Circuit Judge and State Senator at Badger Boy’s State,
Wisconsin. Chris has explored his heritage for the past ten years
through Dnipro, a Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble, which performs at
the annual FRUA Yarmarka. He joined the dance group in third grade,
and now is an instructor of younger students.
David,
Lantz, this year’s winner of the FRUA 2013 Scholarship Award for
Post-Secondary Students, is the son of Nanci Lantz of Inverness
Place, Cincinnati. He was two when he came from Russia in 1994 to
live in the United States. His family was active in the Ohio Chapter
of FRUA, INC when there was an active chapter there. An Eagle Scout,
David found a good fit with the College of Mt. Saint Joseph in
Cincinnati, where he is majoring in history.
He serves as a college tour guide and is active in Drama, Pep Band,
peer tutoring, and as a new student orientation leader.
The
FRUA National Scholarship Committee follows a rigorous review
process. This year, FRUA received 22 scholarship applications; seven
from young men and 16 applications from young women. 2013 Scholarship
Committee Chair Mara Kamen noted that “As in previous years, the
applications were high-quality and the applicants are incredibly
impressive young adults!”
The
twenty two applicants were adopted from across the former Soviet
Union, coming from
Russia,
Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Kazakhstan. Their family's
memberships spread across FRUA chapters in Missouri, New England, New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC / Maryland / Virginia,
and Wisconsin, and we had unaffiliated membership applicants from
Florida, Georgia and Ohio.
With a field of wonderful applicants, we wish that there could have been more than two winners. The fact is that we can continue this scholarship program due to the generosity of FRUA members and friends who donated to the FRUA year-end giving appeal. The number and size of the scholarships are dependent upon available funds. We noticed something this year that has not occurred before; a few applications, not included in the total above, came in from students whose families were not paid FRUA members. To be considered for the scholarships, the students must be both adopted from a former Soviet bloc country and the families of applicants must be current, paid FRUA member families. For anyone looking toward applying next year, please take note of this.
FRUA’s
National Board of Directors Scholarship Committee looks not just at
applicant's academic records, but at the challenges they have
overcome, as well as their service to their communities. We
congratulate our two scholarship winners, Chris and David, and are
delighted to recognize the accomplishments and abilities of all our
talented FRUA teens. Teens who did not receive a scholarship this
year are invited to re-apply, for the post-secondary scholarship next
year.
What
our kids can accomplish with the love and support of families who get
them the help they need to reach their potential, is absolutely
amazing! As we adoptive families know; having a family that supports
you, no matter what, can make all the difference in the world in the
life of a child.
My
Best Regards,
Jan
Wondra
Acting
Chair
Families
for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
