Faculty, staff back scholarship program

An innovative scholarship program for needy students began this fall when the Albany diocesan Catholic Schools Office introduced the "Beacon of Hope" program.

The goal is to award $1,500 a year to students in diocesan high schools, according to Nicki Pezzulo, director of development for the Schools Office.

While individual donors responded with money to support the program in general, the staff and faculty of Catholic Central High School in Troy joined in to help their own school.

According to Theresa Mainello, director of public relations for CCHS, teachers came up with the idea in order to guarantee that a student from there would be given assistance.

The faculty and staff have committed to making the donation for three years.

The Catholic Schools Office chooses which student receives the funds, based on an application from the student, the financial needs of his or her family and other criteria.

"That seemed like the only fair way to do it," Mrs. Mainello noted.

(Information about the Beacon Scholarship is available at www.rcdaschools.org/beaconofhope. Call 453-6666.)

(11/16/06) [[In-content Ad]]