PENTA Accepting Applications for its 2016 Leadership Scholarship

(Westborough, MA) _ PENTA Communications Inc., a fully integrated marketing firm based in Westborough, Massachusetts, has announced it is accepting applications for its eleventh annual Deborah A. Penta Leadership Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded to a Westborough High School (WHS) college-bound senior who personifies leadership, academic prowess, dedication to his/her community, and has demonstrated leadership in diversified extra-curricular activities during his/her high school years.

In previous years, the company offered this as the Deborah A. Penta Female Leadership Scholarship. Eleven years later, it has changed to the Deborah A. Penta Leadership Scholarship for both college-bound women and men.

“We are hopeful that the expansion of our scholarship will increase the number of applicants,” said Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc. “We also felt that in celebration of the eleventh anniversary year of this program, it was the right time to make it available to any high school student who both met our criteria and would be interested in applying, giving a wider pool of students the opportunity to receive this honor.”

Throughout the years, the PENTA Scholarship has been awarded to many community-minded and high achieving high school seniors.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and honored to be receiving this award,” said 2011 scholarship recipient Katherine Packer. “I was a freshman when I first read about this scholarship in the paper. I thought about how much I wanted to apply for it when I was eligible. I’m so honored.”

Over the years, the PENTA Scholarship has been awarded to students seeking careers in medicine, teaching, communications, health administration, bioscience, and other professions. Students have been accepted to prestigious institutions such as Columbia University, George Washington University, Syracuse University, and John Hopkins University.

PENTA has received applications from student leaders from diverse backgrounds and experience. Leadership qualities can be shown through strong academics, participation in and organizing social events, working within the greater community, faith communities, and athletics.

“This [scholarship] is important to me because of what it stands for and the goals it will help me to reach,” said 2010 recipient, Madeline Fryer. “This scholarship is all about encouraging young women to actively improve their community, and I hope to use the award to further my education and take a larger role in advancing the lives of those around me.”

Youth leadership is a skill that is both taught and encouraged by PENTA Communications, Inc. As a locally headquartered organization, PENTA has been dedicated to giving back to the community for nearly three decades. The firm has hosted fundraising events benefiting children’s charities, assisted numerous nonprofit organizations over the years, as well as provided steadfast support for the growth and advancement of education for young adults through mentorship programs and experiential learning opportunities. The recipient of the scholarship must show dedication to charitable work and serve as an inspiration for his/her peers to do the same.

“I feel greatly honored to have been chosen to receive this scholarship award and wish to express my sincere thanks to PENTA Communications, Inc.,” said Sneha Subramaniam, who was awarded the scholarship in 2012.

The deadline for WHS senior applicants is April 1, 2016.

Application Criteria:

  • Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or those who can detail the applicant’s academic and leadership qualities at WHS
  • Detailed information regarding participation on any teams, committees or place of employment
  • Current résumé or transcript indicating academic standing and all activities and leadership

Achievements:

  • A listing of any charitable work the applicant has accomplished during his or her high school years
  • A 200-word essay explaining why the applicant feels he or she should receive the scholarship.

To be considered, the PENTA Scholarship Committee must receive the candidate’s application postmarked before 5 P.M. on April 1, 2016.