Peggy Madigan Memorial Leadership Scholarship Awarded

A Loyalsock Township High School senior who has been active in community service projects throughout her high school years is the 2011 recipient of the Peggy Madigan Memorial Leadership Scholarship at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

A selection committee chose Niesha J. Williams to receive this year's award for the scholarship named in memory of the late wife of former state Sen. Roger A. Madigan. The selection was announced during Thursday's annual Student Government Seminar hosted at Penn College by Madigan's successor, Sen. Gene Yaw.

Williams will enroll in the business administration: management bachelor-degree major this fall at Penn College.

The Peggy Madigan Memorial Leadership Scholarship is open to high school students who attend the 23rd Senatorial District's annual Student Government Seminar at Penn College and subsequently enroll as full-time students at the college. Roger Madigan represented the district from 1985 until his retirement in January 2009.

The scholarship may be used to help defray the costs of tuition, fees, books, tools and other required supplies. Applicants are required to write an essay describing the community service they have performed and the value that service has added to the community.

Williams has assisted at a summer basketball camp and the Little Lancer basketball program. She has also participated in a drive to collect boxes of cereal for low-income children and a food drive for the West End Community Center to serve meals to the poor and homeless. She participates in varsity basketball, track and chorus, and she is a member of the Christian Club.

The Student Government Seminar hosted by Yaw enables students from high schools throughout the 23rd District to meet with elected officials, members of the state's executive branch, representatives of special-interest groups and members of the news media for a day of panel discussions providing insights into the workings of state government.

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, committed to applied technology education. Nearly 6,300 students are enrolled in bachelor-degree, associate-degree and certificate majors relating to more than 100 career areas.

For more information about the college, visit online , email or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

For more information about making a donation or establishing a scholarship fund to support Penn College and its students, visit on the Web , call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC or email .