Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Latrobe, PA ( May 10, 2018 ) – Saint Vincent College student Nicholas J. Holtzer has been named a Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar and awarded a $1000 scholarship in recognition of his inspiring personal narrative, excellent academic record and spirit of community service.
The Nancy Larson Foundation proudly supports students across the country majoring in elementary education by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Holtzer is one of ten recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
In his personal narrative, Nick explained why he was inspired to become a teacher. “Doing volunteer work in a Life Skills classroom changed my life forever. Seeing the struggle that these students went through every single day was incredible.” Nick shared that some of the students came from really difficult backgrounds, including drug-addicted parents, abuse, and poverty. “I realized that by being in a classroom, I could make an impact on someone else’s life. I realized that life is about more than money and fame, it is about reaching your hand out for someone else to grab – to lift someone up when they need it most. Seeing the excitement and joy on those students’ faces when they achieved something changed my life. I cannot wait to have my own classroom so that I can help change the life of a child. I look forward to teaching children of all different ability levels, ethnicities, homes, shapes and sizes.”
“Nick really moved our committee with his personal experiences gained from volunteering in the classroom. Those experiences inspired him to want to become a teacher to help students of all walks of life succeed,” said Nancy Larson.
Juniors, seniors and graduate students who have declared an elementary education major are invited to submit a personal narrative about why they want to teach, what personal experiences they have had that inspired them to teach and what will make them excellent teachers. Applicants are also asked to include community service activities and experiences they have had working with children.
Larson, a former teacher and curriculum director, has dedicated her life to advancing elementary education. Nancy Larson Science K–5 programs were developed because teachers needed a classroom-tested science program that would prepare children for upper-level science classes and careers in science. The program was written to provide in-depth science content in an easy-to-teach format.