May 17, 2012
WWIG Announces 2012 Undergrad Scholars
MADISON – Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG) announced today the recipients of its 2012 undergraduate scholarships. The recipients will be recognized at WWIG’s 25th Annual Scholarship and Recognition Banquet on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. The 2012 WWIG undergraduate scholarship recipients are: Maggie Becker, Angela Jones, Sahvana Williams, Lila Saavedra, Lisa Egbert, and Angela Loughan
Individual banquet tickets are still available for purchase online at www.WiscWomenInGovernment.org, by calling (608) 848-2321, or at the door on the night of the event.
“Wisconsin Women in Government is proud to provide undergraduate scholarships to six outstanding women this year,” said Kelli Thompson, WWIG President. “We thank our generous sponsors for their continued support of WWIG and for enabling us to support aspiring women pursuing higher education and careers in public service.”
This year’s 25th Anniversary banquet will feature accomplished WWIG alumni and highlight both the undergraduate scholar recipients and four “Women of Achievement” in journalism. The keynote speaker is Dana Perino, who served as White House Press Secretary to former President George W. Bush from 2007-2009. Perino is currently a Fox News contributor and co-host of The Five.
The event begins with a networking reception featuring a silent auction and free photo booth from 5:30-7:00 p.m., followed by the dinner, program and keynote address from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
WWIG’s annual dinner is the premier bipartisan political event in Wisconsin, attended by more than 1,000 federal, state and local elected officials, business leaders, public servants, and political enthusiasts. Since 1987, WWIG has raised money to support and encourage women to choose a career in public service and to advance women in government.
Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients
Through the support of generous sponsors, WWIG provides undergraduate scholarships to make post-secondary education more accessible to women pursuing a public service career. This year, WWIG awarded six $3,000 scholarships – two each to students enrolled in Wisconsin’s public, private and technical colleges, respectively.
Bios of this year’s scholarship recipients follow.
Maggie Becker, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Maggie Becker studies Economics and Political Science and serves as a Big Sister in the Madison community. She plans to study abroad in South Africa this fall, and her future goals include working for a non-profit or NGO that is dedicated to the prevention of HIV/AIDs. She has overcome significant personal obstacles and is dedicated to public service.
Angela Jones, University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee
Angela Jones currently studies Political Science and has leveraged education as her path to a better life. A “Thursday’s child,” Angela’s early life was spent in the housing projects of Chicago prior to her family making its way to Milwaukee. She has inspired others through her strong willpower and political leadership and serves as a tutor at Custer High School in Milwaukee and is President of the Sister 2 Sister group.
Sahvana Williams, Alverno College
Sahvana Williams studies community leadership at Alverno College. Sahvana struggled early in school but when she became a mother at age 18, she recommitted herself to academics and was voted “most improved student” during her senior year of high school. Motivated to become the first in her family to graduate from college, Sahvana plans to continue to law school. She is interested in pursuing elected office someday to help others achieve equal education opportunities, and she is active in her community through MICAH, a local soup kitchen, and Amnesty International.
Lila Saavedra, Mt. Mary College
Lila Saavedra credits her daughter with changing her life and leading her to college. Obstacles such as teenage pregnancy, a fractured family, and an incarcerated father did not stop Lila from achieving her goal of attending college and serving as a Mt. Mary College Caroline Scholar. While pursuing a counseling degree, Lila helps her community through volunteering at the 9 to 5 organization, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the center of Child Development Center of St. Joseph’s.
Lisa Egbert, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC)
Lisa Egbert returned to higher education after 15 years in the workforce. She is pursuing two degrees at an accelerated pace, while also caring for her elderly parents and family. Lisa is active in raising funds for local schools through the Shell Lake Education Foundation, writes the WITC Rice-Like Campus weekly newsletter, and serves as an Ambassador for WITC and the entire Wisconsin Technical College System.
Angela Loughan, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC)
Angela Loughan, a single mother of a 16-year-old son, decided to go back to school to further her career goals and set a strong example for her son. Angela is pursuing a degree in criminal justice and is currently the President of WITC Criminal Justice Club. She aims to pursue a career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or the Park Service, or as a patrol officer, corrections officer, or probation and parole agent.
