Each year the branch awards two scholarships:
the Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship for the Arts and the Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship for the Arts
In 2000, The Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship was established to recognize Virginia Ray Randall’s development of the Cultural Series for our local AAUW branch. The scholarship is awarded annually to a female student in the field of art, dance, literature, music, or theater who is attending Sussex County Community College. The award may be applied toward tuition, books, or other expenses.
Virginia was a life member of the Sussex County Branch. She infused wonderful cultural experiences to the Branch’s activity calendar for over 2 decades with organized cultural trips to New York City from 1984 to 2003. She would select the perfect venue of performances that included the New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic and New Jersey Symphony orchestras. These cultural trips were not only enjoyed by branch members, they also included invitations to the community. Virginia Randall was a special person who enriched the lives of her AAUW community with her passionate spirit of bringing cultural elevation to others.
Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Recognizing the importance of promoting women in STEM, (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) the Branch now offers a second scholarship at Sussex County Community College to a woman pursuing a career in one of the STEM fields or one of the health related fields. This scholarship in named after Iris Corn, a longtime member of AAUW.
This year AAUW awarded a one-time Dr. Geraldine J. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $900, to a non-traditional female student. This scholarship was given in memory of long time AAUW member and educator, Gerri O’Connor, an active supporter of our Crystal Springs virtual branch of Sussex County AAUW who passed away last October.
Each year, the branch president attends the Sussex County Community College Scholarship Awards Ceremony to give the selected recipient(s) the scholarship monies from AAUW Sussex County Branch.
Scholarship Recipients
October 2023
Courtney Lewis-Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Samantha Amorese Virgina Ray Randall Scholarship
2022 TBA
Dr. Geraldine J. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship
Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
September 2021
Lauren Vilade – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Veronica Conklin – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
August 2020
Shayla Shaddinger – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Alexandria Bisanzio – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
May 2019
Tanya Solomon – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Darielle Mesmer – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
May 2018
Loan Pham – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Madeleine Kelleher – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
May 2017
Eliza Solomon – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Jessica Corujo – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
May 2016
Alexis Constantinacos – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship
Lonie Joyce – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
May 2015
Michelle Davis – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship, Health Science
Anderson Reed Spratt – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship, Ecology/Environmental Science
Krystal Kolasa – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Studio Arts
May 2014
Lauren Bell – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Photography
Kayla Reilly – Iris Corn STEM Scholarship, Chemistry
AAUW-NJ Sussex County Branch STEM Chair Dr. Mary Rapuano had the honors of presenting the STEM Scholarship to Kayla Reilly.
May 2013
Shandre Steede – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Dance
May 2012
Lauren DeVore – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Theater
May 1, 2012 – The Branch awarded the Scholarship for the Arts to Lauren DeVore at the May 1st Scholarship Awards ceremony at Sussex County Community College.
May 2011
(none given)
December 2010
Randi Thoma – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Writing
December 9, 2010 – The Branch awarded the Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship to Randi Thoma at the December 9th Scholarship Awards ceremony at Sussex County Community College.
December 2009
Katherine Weaver – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Graphic Arts
December 10, 2009- The Branch awarded the Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship to Katherine Weaver of Lafayette at the December 10th Scholarship Awards ceremony at Sussex County Community College. Katherine is a second year student.
2008
(none given)
December 2007
Mare Galeos – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Liberal Arts English
Mary Galeos is congratulated by AAUW (NJ) Sussex County Branch President, Carole Monesmith (right); AAUW-Sussex County Branch Scholarship Chair, Margaret Anderson (left); and Trudi Randall, daughter of Virginia Randall.
May 2007
Tessa James – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Liberal Arts, Literature & Journalism
May 3, 2007 – The Branch awarded the Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship for the Arts to Tessa James of Newton at the May 3rd Scholarship Awards ceremony at Sussex County Community College. Tessa was a second-year student.
December 2005
Jennifer DeJesus – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship
December 2003
Theano Ioannou – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Fine Arts
December 2000
Dawn Sandve – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Fine Arts
Alicia Sullivan – Virginia Ray Randall Scholarship, Liberal Arts major focusing on Vocal Music
Middle School Girls Sponsorship
Our branch has sponsored trips for middle school girls to spend a day visiting the Newton Court House and Sussex County Community College