Appears on the Livingston Post:

The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation annually awards the Margaret Starkey Scholarship to outstanding, non-traditional students who are advancing their education while working. This year there are three winners, each of whom will receive $1,500. They are:

• Alyssa Ballestero of Special Ministries of Livingston County, is currently attending Eastern Michigan University. Alyssa was nominated by Kristen Alonzi.

• Erin Killop of Hanover Insurance in Howell, plans to attend Cleary University for Business Management in the fall. Erin was nominated by Tracy Campbell.

• Timothy Gardynik of Hatch Stamping in Howell currently attends Lansing Community College while working full-time. Timothy was nominated by Wally Wyniemko.

Applicants are nominated by their employers, and the winners chosen best exemplify the personal qualities of Margaret Starkey, who was executive assistant of the chamber for 31 years until she retired in 1987; she passed away in 2002.
Mrs. Starkey was dedicated and enthusiastic, a woman who had great attention to detail and a love of community service. These outstanding personal qualities helped her achieve great success despite big obstacles in her life.
Some of the other criteria used to evaluate candidates included self-motivation and creativity, customer service, leadership and self-confidence.

“Margaret was an inspiration to all who knew her and especially those who worked with her,” said Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber President. “It was a privilege to have worked beside Margaret in my first ten years here at the chamber. The chamber is delighted to continue to award this scholarship in her honor.”

In order to nominate an employee, a company has to be located in Livingston County.

A fund-raising drive for the scholarship is currently under way. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made to the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 123 E. Washington St., Howell, MI 48843. All donations over $500 will be recognized on the Margaret Starkey page of the Howell Chamber of Commerce website, howell.org, with a link to your website.

For more information, contact Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, at 517.546.3920 or pconvery@howell.org.