Recipient Sjah Short enjoys the reception with her daughter Haley

Recipient Katy Stonesifer with her mom, Renita

Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas (SPSF NWA) held their annual Spark of Hope celebration Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the Fayetteville Town Center. Approximately 350 guests gathered for a cocktail reception before the 7 p.m. program hosted by  Jake McBridefrom Kix 104 and Laine Baker from KNWA Today.  The Spark of Hope celebrates the success of the year’s scholarship campaign from corporate and individual giving.  The 2011 Spark of Hope raised more than $300,000 for scholarships.

SPSF NWA Board Chair Justin DeLille and Executive Director Jody Dilday honored the organization’s founder Ralph Nesson as well as  founding board members Marcia McCain, Doris Cordes, Ruth Collier, Jan Judy, the late Elaine McNeil, the late Lois Fry, the late Charlotte Forsythe and the late Lois Imhoff with the Spark of Hope award for Individual Support.   CitiScapes Magazine received the Spark of Hope award for Community Partners,  and Johnson & Johnson accepted the  Spark of Hope awards for Corporate Support.

Spark of Hope Awards were custom made by artist Hank Kaminsky

Awards were custom works of art by local artist, Hank Kaminsky.

Scholarship recipient Brittney Peace presented the second annual Supportive Employer Award to her employer HP Engineering, Inc. Accepting on behalf of HP Engineering was President Bill Hodge.

Walmart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation was acknowledged as the Presenting Sponsor.  Pinnacle Foods was recognized in the Summa Cum Laude Society at the $25,000 level.  Johnson & Johnson, Hiland Dairy, CitiScapes Magazine and the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation gained recognition in the Magna Cum Laude Society at the $10,000, as well as the United Way of NWA, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.

Recipient Jeff Parmer delighted and inspired the crowd

McBride and Baker introduced guest speakers Jeff Parmer, SPSF NWA scholarship recipient; Kayla Main, daughter of graduate Beth Main; and Pamela Center, SPSF NWA graduate.

Board Members Dr. Karen Hodges and John Threet announced the 2011 Endowed Scholarship Awards:

• Meghan McConnell, Charlotte Langworthy Forsythe Endowed Scholarship
• Nancy Grizzle, Diane Blair Memorial Scholarship
• Kristie Hamilton, Thomas Alan Jacoway Memorial Scholarship
• Scot Ripple, Lois M. Fry Memorial Scholarship
• Paula Thomsen-Perez, Lois J. Imhoff Single Parent Scholarship
• Sjah Short, Elaine M. Longer Endowed Scholarship
• Caren Carrothers, Forsythe Family Endowed Scholarship
• Katy Stonesifer, Willard and Pat Walker Endowed Scholarship
• Jazmin Harmon, Alford Sherman Endowed Scholarship
• Kelly Story, Richard F. Cooper Endowed Scholarship
• Charlene Dodd, Community Hope Endowed Scholarship

Guests dined on Filet Mignon, Crab Cake with Fume Blanc sauce, rosemary roasted potatoes, asparagus, and a spinach salad with fresh strawberries, pears and candied pecans.  The centerpieces of each table were decorated with an array of desserts: crème brulee of vanilla and chocolate, fruit pastries and fresh fruit.  Liquor World sponsored the cocktail hour and evening with an in-kind donation wine, and the musical stylings of Don’t Stop Please entertained guests during the reception.

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Tags: Philanthropy, scholarship recipient, Scholarships, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas, Spark of Hope