RECIPIENTS OF THE NYWICI FOUNDATION 2005 SCHOLARSHIPS:

Rima Abdelkader, Pace University — Rima, who lives in Staten Island, is majoring in marketing and minoring in political science.

Lara N. Booker, New York University — A native of Pittsburgh, Larae is a graduate student who is majoring in speech and interpersonal communication.

Sharon R. Clott, Syracuse University — Sharon is from Havertown, Pa. and is majoring in magazine journalism; minoring in communication and rhetorical studies.

Lisa M. DiGuglielmo, Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. — Lisa received a BA, cum laude, in 2000 and has been working since. She has been accepted to New York University’s graduate school, where she will be majoring in communication and media studies; minoring in American studies.

Jennifer L. Elliott, New School University — This New Yorker is a graduate student in media studies.

Denise L. Horn, Scotch Plains – Fanwood High School — Denise has been accepted by Howard University, University of Maryland and Spellman College. She plans on majoring in public relations/ advertising with a minor in English.

Elana T. Jacobs, John F. Kennedy High School, Merrick, N.Y. — Elana has not yet chosen a college but plans to major in communications and minor in advertising. She has been accepted to the University of Michigan and Syracuse.

Lauren E. Mack, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism — Lauren is from New York City. She is pursuing a major in magazine publishing.

Beatriz Melendez, New York University — Beatriz, who is from South Hackensack, N.J. has a double major of communications and economics. Her minor is French.

Ilana A. Plen, Manchester High School, Manchester, CT — Ilana will be going to Emerson College, where she will be majoring in advertising and minoring in screenwriting.

Lavina Ramchandani, Hackensack High School, Hackensack, N.J. — Lavina has been accepted at the University of Maryland and is awaiting other responses. She plans to major in broadcast journalism and minor in child/development psychology.

Tamara L. Tibbetts, The College of New Jersey — Tammy, who is from Dayton, N.J. is majoring in journalism and professional writing. Her minors include Spanish and women’s/gender studies.

Beth H. Young, Columbia School of Journalism — Beth is a journalism graduate student from Sag Harbor, N.Y.

Anne C. Youngquist, Western Connecticut State University — Anna is majoring in communications; minoring in marketing.

Laura Zirinsky, Columbia University — This graduate student from Great Neck, N.Y. is studying strategic communications.

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Thoughts from Ilana Plen:

I am the only person under twenty who can claim to have been a part of the amazing corporate communications team at Scholastic that launched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the biggest book launch in publishing history. That’s a pretty big achievement for someone who has yet to start her freshman year of college. How then, you might be wondering, did I get to be so fortunate? I am the winner of the first Judy Corman Memorial Scholarship, presented by New York Women in Communication Inc. (NYWICI).

In January when I applied for the scholarship, my knowledge of NYWICI extended no further than what was written on their website. I certainly did not have any appreciation for the extent of their work in introducing young women into the field of communications. I gained this understanding as I interviewed for the scholarship, met with my fellow winners and attended the Matrix luncheon in New York City where the 2005 scholarship winners were announced. By the time that event was over, I finally understood that the financial assistance NYWICI provides is only a small part of the contribution they make to young women like myself pursuing careers in communications.

For me, the best part of winning the scholarship was that I would get to spend the summer as an intern in the Corporate Communication department of Scholastic, the company where the late Ms. Corman worked for six years. This two-month adventure was by far the most fun and interesting experience of my life, heightened by the excitement surrounding the release of the sixth Harry Potter book. During my time at Scholastic, I was made to feel like a real team member. I was given tasks which related directly to the field I hoped to pursue, and I was able to observe and help the people responsible for making the Harry Potter release such an incredible event. Between my love for Harry Potter and the thrill of being in the middle of all the excitement, I was in heaven.

Now as I prepare to begin my freshman year of Emerson College, I can reflect back on my amazing experiences with NYWICI and Scholastic but with a little concern that college is going to seem awfully boring after all this. Still, my only regret is that I was unable to meet Judy Corman, the woman who gave me such a push towards accomplishing all of my goals, and whose life and remarkable career will inspire me as I embark on my professional path. I hope that she would have been proud of what I’ve learned from this experience.

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