By FSPA President Brian Kelly, Shamrock Pools / shamrockpls1091@aol.com
As the end of summer nears, many of us look forward to the peace and quiet that is finally in sight. The kids are going back to school! Yes, the youngsters are once again going back to learn the ABC’s and the routine that school brings.
But for some of us, the beginning of the school year also brings the unwanted words many of us hear – tuition! That’s right, the burden of college tuition and costs associated with an upper level education. As many already know, these costs can be substantial and ongoing. While we all are extremely proud of our children achieving the privilege of attending schools of higher learning, or extending their education with vocational training, it can come with substantial costs and responsibility.
Fortunately, as FSPA members, and through the generous contributions of many, our employees’ children are eligible to receive financial help through the FSPA Scholarship Fund. This fund, while it requires some effort on the part of the applicants, is a great way to offset some of the costs associated with higher learning. The applicants, if it’s their first time applying, must submit documentation verifying their eligibility. Returning applicants also must qualify with grades sufficient enough to prove their eligibility. In both cases, the aspiring applicants have to submit research papers on a list of subjects pre-approved by the scholarship committee. The subjects are generally related directly to the the swimming pool industry and often entice the writers to produce really thought provoking and insightful papers. Many of our recipients have gone on to achieve their bachelors degrees and a number have even obtained their masters degrees. And many, like our very own Executive Director, Wendy Parker Barsell, have found a lifelong career in the Swimming Pool Industry.
To make our program even more attractive and helpful to our young recipients, I am pleased to announce that beginning this year, Bill Kent, HornerXpress, has graciously decided to offer matching scholarship contributions to our scholarship award winners! Through the Bill Kent Family Foundation, all of our members’ children who have successfully completed the process of the application will now double what the FSPA scholarship committee awards them! As a father of four children who have all attended upper level institutions, I know personally the help that these types of awards give hard-working students!
It must be said that the scholarship program, first started by Ken Brown, Insurance by Ken Brown, and so generously supported by Amerisure Insurance and by the many chapters across our great state, have supported pool industry children for more than 30 years. It once again reinforces the strength and compassion that this close-knit association provides for its many members!
To Mr. Brown, Mr. Kent, Amerisure Insurance, and all of the chapters that have generously contributed to our scholarship program, I offer my sincere thanks for your commitment to our members, their children, and this association!
