Pavilion grad awarded full two-year scholarship at GCC

Laura Beth Yuhnke's dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher have come one step closer to a reality thanks to the President's Scholarship from Genesee Community College. Laura Beth, a 2011 graduate of Pavilion High School was awarded the President's Scholarship covering the full cost of tuition for two years at GCC.

Laura Beth is the daughter of Dave and Betty Yuhnke of Wyoming, NY. She is 18 years old and a freshman student at GCC, studying education. She chose GCC because she wasn't sure of what school she wanted to attend to earn a bachelor's degree.

"This was a good decision because I'm not totally sure what four-year college I want to go to," Laura Beth said. "Plus it's more economical to start at GCC and transfer to another school, which is good because my family is quite large."

Laura Beth is one of six children and is the third Yuhnke to attend GCC. Her oldest brother Mark (23) and older sister Rachael (22) also attended GCC. Rachael Yuhnke was also a President's Scholarship recipient who studied Nursing while at GCC. She graduated in 2009 and is now a registered nurse (RN) in the Pediatric ICU of Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo, NY.

Laura Beth hopes to one day become an elementary school teacher with a concentration in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Her dream job would be teaching ESL to children in another country such as Brazil or any European country.

A highly decorated student, Laura Beth has been the recipient of several academic and community honors throughout her high school career. She is the recipient of the Community Foundation Award, Marsha Brooks Memorial Scholarship, Pavilion Alumni Association Award, Pavilion Faculty Association Scholarship, President's Education Award and the Warsaw Support Staff Association Scholarship. She was a member of the National Honor Society, a scholar athlete, SADD secretary, a member of the marching band and was ranked third in her graduating class. She most recently was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 193 Dana Fry Scholarship in 2011.

"GCC has always been committed to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence, attracting outstanding local students who exhibit exceptional talent and leadership potential in their home towns and high schools," Richard Ensman, executive director of the GCC foundation said. "Laura Beth is a prime example of local academic and community excellence."

The President's Scholarship provides full tuition at GCC to high school students from Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, and Orleans counties. President's Scholarships are given to students who have maintained high academic standards while in high school, and whose co-curricular efforts have formed the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of extraordinary achievement. Award-winners enjoy two years of tuition-free education at GCC, provided they meet and maintain eligibility requirements.

President's Scholarships are funded by generous contributions made to the GCC Foundation by individuals and businesses committed to excellence in education. It is the hope of the Foundation that scholarship recipients will remain committed to their quest for excellence during their college years and beyond, striving for the betterment of businesses and communities within the GLOW region.