John P. Bowe Memorial Scholarship

James E. and Carol A. Bowe established this scholarship for the benefit of graduating Pleasant Valley seniors to honor and remember James’ brother, John, a kind and gentle soul whose only sin was to be born a few years too early.

Born August 23, 1948, he was severely mentally handicapped and somewhat physically impaired due to a condition which would label him as an “RH baby.” Parents with opposite blood antigens, (one positive, one negative) can produce offspring with this condition unless the fetus is transfused in the womb to match the mother’s antigen. This knowledge and the procedure to correct the condition came a few years too late for Johnny.

John’s death came suddenly and tragically when he choked on a mid-morning snack at the HDC workshop. They were unable to clear his airway and he was without oxygen for too long. Three days later, on July 31, 2008, he passed away quietly at Genesis West.

John P. Bowe was a man who was never in the public eye; a man who never had the chance to achieve greatness, to have a family, to build a legacy.  The love of all who knew him will be his legacy, as will be this scholarship, which will bear his name forever.

Criteria to Apply:

  • Be a graduating senior of PVHS
  • The scholarship will be given to a student who intends to pursue a career related to working with mentally and/or physically handicapped individuals or mental health care
  • The applicants shall have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grade point average scale (or an equivalent average)
  • The applicant must have a minimum ACT composite score of 21
  • The applicant must have demonstrated involvement in school or community activities (significant work experience can substitute for this involvement)
  • The application will require the student to provide essay responses to future career goals and what motivates them to seek a career working with mentally and/or physically handicapped individuals or in mental health care

Scholarship Personal Statement/Essay:

  • Explain your future career goals and what motivates you to seek a career working with mentally and/or physically handicapped individuals or in mental health.

 

Past Scholarship Recipients:

2020    Haley Humes
2019     Shreya Khurjekar
2018     Grace Budde
2017     Milenama Prasai
2016     Reghan German
2015     Allison Young
2014     Carlie Franke
2013     Taylor Perrott
2012     Allison Pastrnak
2011      Kelly Hering
2010     Lauren Suhl
2009    Jenna Lehman