ERCA is proud to announce the recipients of its 2003-2004 Community Contribution Scholarships. ERCA scholarships are awarded to students who have made a difference in their communities. The winners developed and administered volunteer projects that helped to bring their communities together, making their schools or neighborhoods safer, more welcoming places. ERCA invites you to read more about these Community Contribution Scholarship awardees whose leadership and depth of commitment has already made an impact on their world. The following 26 students have been chosen as the 2003-2004 School Year Winners. Each recipient will receive a grant of $1000 to use for college-related expenses.

Courtney M. Anderson, Pasco Sr. HS, Class of 2004, Pasco, WA

Sewed and distributed over 50 pillows for heart surgery patients to hold during a coughing attack, helping to avoid or lessen the extra pain and cost of repairing torn sutures.

Bethaleen Jeanne Blankenship, Greenville Sr. HS, Class of 2004, Greenville, OH

Formed a committee to ban smoking in the playground area of the Greenville City Park; then helped form the Service Learning Committee at her high school, whose first project assisted senior citizens with the cost of their prescription medication.

Nitesh Banta, Stamford HS, Class of 2004, Stamford, CT

As an active member of the Red Cross Youth Leadership Council, helped develop a pilot blood education program for fifth graders and is now President of his local chapter of the Red Cross Youth Council.

Casey Leo James Beck, Powell County HS, Class of 2005, Avon, MT

Together with two friends, spent five months repairing, restoring, and re-assembling the entire playground of a small rural school in need.

Amber Burkan, Summerville HS, Class of 2003, Sonosa, CA

Started the non-profit organization, Heart to Heart to raise funds to build a new school at an AIDS orphanage in Uganda. She hopes to eventually organize mission trips.