In the midst of a global pandemic, Ms. Abby Strong remained focused and never missed a step on her chosen path. In 2020, the Johnstown Housing Authority sponsored Abby’s scholarship application, which was selected by PAHRA as First Place winner of our $3,000 L. DeWitt Boosel Memorial Scholarship Award.
Ms. Strong’s application was forwarded by PAHRA to MARC NAHRO, where she was chosen as recipient of their regional scholarship. She then advanced to competition at the national level, and was selected as a 2020 NAHRO Merit and NAHRO LDG Scholar, which provides a $12,000 scholarship distributed over four years, as well as a $3,000 per year summer internship stipend for up to three years.
Fast forward to 2022, as Abby continues on her journey to what’s certain to be a very bright future. She is featured in this month’s issue of the Journal of Housing & Community Development (JOHCD), where a Student Spotlight article chronicles her progress. She is on track to graduate with her nursing degree this December, accomplishing that goal in just 2-1/2 years.
In the article, Abby encourages others to “Take every opportunity you have for help, and never give up on your goals.” The JOHCD report concludes that Abby “hopes to work in psychiatric nursing following graduation. Helping others and giving back to the community remains her top priority.”
Click here to read the entire JOHCD Student Spotlight.
It should be noted that achievement apparently runs in the family. Following in her sister’s footsteps, Abby’s younger sibling, Whitney Strong, was selected as PAHRA’s First Place recipient of the L. DeWitt Boosel Memorial Scholarship in 2021. We wish these “Strong” young ladies continued success!