First Virginia Education Wizard Scholarships Awarded

Tonight at the Library of Virginia, two students will receive the first Virginia Education Wizard Scholarships. When they went on line and created a profile on The Virginia Education Wizard site, they became eligible for a scholarship lottery.

The winners are Greg Foley of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, who attends Germanna Community College, and James Berkonowitz, an army vet attending John Tyler Community College.  He works now in security.  The scholarships are valued at $3,000 and cover costs relating to pursuit of a career at Virginia’s community colleges.

Foley:  As a retired public safety officer I’m on a fixed income.  I have all the normal responsibilities of a person, I have two children, I’m a single father.  And the community colleges just opened my eyes tremendously.  And being able to continue in school and not have to worry about, you know, a year’s worth of tuition and books is just huge.

Foley is studying psychology and hopes to continue on ultimately to a PhD.  Berkonowitz says he was born to work in law enforcement.

Berkonowitz:  I’d really loved to be a peace officer.  My grandfather was, that’s why I chose to do police science or police study with the community college.  If I can concentrate on my school and my studies so when, if I do 100%, I’ll be able to give 100% to the people out there that hopefully one day I’ll be able to protect.

John Ogle, WCVE News

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