Seventeen years ago a group of women started the Port O’ Connor Community Service Club to give back to the community they loved so much. Professionals and homemakers, moms and career women pitched in to raise money, build awareness and meet needs in POC. They built the community center, began the Senior Christmas Luncheons, and other projects. One of the most important projects to this group was to raise money and award scholarships to hometown kids deserving of help. All students of POC elementary who complete requirements for graduation from Calhoun High School and have plans for college or professional training are eligible to apply. More than 60 scholarships later the club is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 Service Club Scholarships.
The following 2014 graduates will each receive a $500 scholarship award:
Johnathan Pitonyak, Kaitlyn Rice, Jaclynn Lopez, Peyton Rice, Heather Osborn
Special Scholarship:
This year we have a special scholarship. One of our founding members and greatest supporters died in February after 91 years of life full of service to our community. Agnes Marion Munsch Valigura was born in POC and spent most of the years of her life here. She was vitally involved in the life of our community serving in Women’s’ Service Club, Chamber, St. Josephs Catholic Church, and her smiling face and willing hands were present at almost all community events Agnes belonged to a coffee and chat group who got together regularly over Cookie and Josie’s coffee and discussed the problems and pleasures of our little home at the end of the road and the world at large. Over the years they solved a bunch of those problems. Ms. Agnes was a go getter. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and sister who made a difference in the lives of those treasured family members around her as well. Her grands and greats are contentedly continuing her community commitment.
The Port O’Connor Community Service Club is proud to announce the 2014 Agnes Valigura Memorial Scholarship. This onetime $1000 scholarship will be awarded from proceeds from our 2014 garage sale funds in honor and memory of the incredible and unselfish life of our friend and club member Agnes Marion Munsch Valigura. Agnes was proud to say she was Port O Connor born and bred. She attended school in the old wooden school building before it burned down. She grew up in ‘the Port O Connor that was’ she used to say. She held offices and committee positions for the service club, was part of the altar guild at St. Joseph’s, was a lifelong Chamber member, made oral and pictorial contribution to the history project currently under development, worked in local businesses and was our Postmaster for many years. It seems only fitting to honor her in such a way.
It was difficult for the committee to select just one applicant. All of our kids showed great promise and potential and submitted outstanding applications. We are very proud of you all. Even so, it gives us great pride and pleasure to award this special scholarship award to our home grown graduate Mr. Johnathan Pitonyak. Congratulations Johnathan! We look forward to watching you soar!
Johnathan Pitonyak Recipient of the Agnes Munsch Valigura Memorial Scholarship
