2006 Scholarship Recipients
Sarah Shelton Memorial Scholarship
Richard Lowenstein is a self–taught student of plants and flowers who moved from NYC to the country so he could build a wildflower garden and grow his own organic food. At first, ornamental gardens were his focus, but as he learned more about gardening he became more interested in the nutritional value of wild food. Richard currently works as a horticultural advisor and garden designer. He is a member of the Alpine Garden Society and lectures on gardening techniques and plant explorations. Frustrated with today's health care, Richard wants to learn more about natural health so he can establish a consulting practice to help others. At age 61, Richard epitomizes the spirit of the Sarah Shelton Memorial Scholarship.
Nella B. Oppenborn Herbology Scholarship
Rita Dixit–Kublak is the program director for Big Medicine's Eco–Somatic Energy Study Tours to India. Big Medicine is a Maine–based, non–profit research and education institute that focuses on the increasing harm large corporations cause to our health, culture, and democracy. They work with two institutions in India and currently teach the courses “Health Care as if the Earth and Human Beings Mattered” and “Indian Traditional Medicine: Options for Public Health.” Her articles on environmental issues, preventive health and women’s issues have been published in various magazines and newspapers in Japan and the U.S. Rita wants to increase her knowledge to benefit her career in teaching others to be healthy.
Peg Clayton Natural Health and Holistic Nutrition Scholarships
Taese Snowden lives in the Bronx, NY. She home schools her four children and lives holistically. She has created the Earth Roots class for children. Earth Roots is a holistic mix of music, dance, poetry and drum emphasizing the importance of health and holistic living. Taese’s goal to open children’s holistic centers in low–income areas that will guide children and teach them the holistic principles of life. Her centers will include the Earth Roots class along with cooking, yoga, meditation classes and health counseling.
Cynthia Drier became interested in natural health and nutrition when her son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She began learning all she could about our food supply and what her family had been eating. When Cynthia made big changes in her family’s diet, her son surprised the doctors with his progress. No small task, she persuaded the hospital to change the vending machines in the waiting room from candy, chips, and sodas to healthier items. Cynthia has been a guest speaker for the American Cancer Society and has received media attention for her active research on high cancer rates in her town. Although Cynthia has earned this scholarship, the truly good news is that, much to his doctor’s surprise, her son’s tumor has disintegrated!
Sarah |
Nella |
Peg |
Independent Scholarships
Melanie Stewart is mother to seven children. She has a BS in exercise science and wants to learn more about nutrition so she can educate others about health. While on scholarship at Tennessee State University , Melanie noticed the high number of people in the community who suffered from obesity, asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. She began doing all of her school projects about nutrition and made a name for herself. Melanie is now asked to speak to college classes about nutrition. Her plan is to teach college students with young children, or who are planning a family, how to overcome the cultural history of obesity and illness by educating them about nutrients and survival, preventative maintenance, cultural diversity and meal planning. She wants to follow up with the families to monitor their progress as they incorporate what they learn.
Kathryn Elliott and her husband are house parents at home for 12 children. Over the past eight years, in addition to her own four children Kathryn has been mother to over 40 boys with learning and emotional disorders. Currently, there is no training offered to direct care givers on dietary support for children with these issues or on the detrimental effects of refined foods. Her goal is to not only use her education to better the lives of her children, but to educate other direct care givers so they will be able to better provide for and educate their children. Kathryn also wants to teach the children and care givers about fresh food and food preparation processes.
Jason Stoen left his job in the medical field so that he and his wife could focus on their children and live a more holistic lifestyle. They have six children and two have special needs that require 24 hour nursing care. Jason mentors families needing support in developing neurodevelopmental programs for their children with brain injuries. Jason firmly believes his life's purpose is to open an integrative health care clinic to educate families on issues related to children's health, development and education. His interest in natural health led him to Clayton College to further his education.
 |
|
 |
|
|
|