Six Big Brothers Big Sisters participants receive $1,500 for collegiate pursuits

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 7/23/15

Olivia Conroy and her mother, Susan Conroy, were quite surprised and delighted when it was announced that all six of the Dr. Dorothy Pieniadz Scholarship recipients would be awarded $1,500 towards …

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Six Big Brothers Big Sisters participants receive $1,500 for collegiate pursuits

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Olivia Conroy and her mother, Susan Conroy, were quite surprised and delighted when it was announced that all six of the Dr. Dorothy Pieniadz Scholarship recipients would be awarded $1,500 towards their collegiate endeavors at Tuesday morning’s award ceremony.

Typically, Big Brother Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) awards this scholarship to one or two people from their organization, so when Heather Potter, the organization’s Lead Match Support Specialist, announced six people were receiving the scholarship, the Conroys expected the money to be split six ways; they were anticipating and thankful for $200-$300 for Olivia.

The scholarship goes to recent high school graduates who have participated in the BBBSOS program. Dr. Dorothy Pieniadz, a former dean of Rhode Island College and a founding member of BBBSOS started the scholarship so that the organization could continue helping children as they headed towards adulthood. Applications are submitted around March and winners are announced at the end of June. Winners are based on their submitted essay and their academic performance.

Potter mentioned at the ceremony, held at the BBBSOS headquarters in Cranston, that this year the mentoring program had the highest number of applicants they have ever had and it was the first time they have ever awarded six people the scholarship. Besides the scholarship, all of the recipients received citations from the offices of dignitaries such as Senator Jack Reed, Mayor of Providence Jorge Elorza and Congressman David Cicilline. Mayor Scott Avedisian was also there to give citations to all six, but gave a special shout out to Olivia, who is from Warwick.

The other recipients were Karen Borges from Bristol, Des-Nette Dunston and Kaitlyn Macchioni from Providence, John Sigler from Groton, Connecticut and Daysha Woods from Woonsocket.

Avedisian said that when he was asked to speak at the ceremony it was an “easy sell” because he believes so strongly in the power of mentoring. He believes mentoring is proof of how much of an impact a single person can make in the world and shared some statistics that proof just how positive of an experience mentoring can be.

Children with mentors are 46 percent less likely to do drugs, 27 percent less likely to drink alcohol, 33 percent less likely to enter into violent issues, and 53 percent less likely to skip a day of school.

“That is incredibly powerful helping a child move ahead in life,” Avedisian said.

By giving back to their community and helping a child, Avedisian said mentors themselves are happier.

“Today is wonderful, but it is only one stop on a series of successful days for you all,” he said.

Olivia went to BBBSOS the summer before she entered 6th grade.

Her mother said she was having some trouble socially and academically, but since the program she has seen “immense change” in her daughter from being more comfortable in herself and her grades improving.

Olivia, who just graduated from Veterans Memorial High School, was matched with Sara Pierson, who from then on went to her basketball games, every graduation and never missed a birthday. The pair went to the movies and dinner and has gotten very close since they met all those years ago. Olivia was even in Sara’s wedding as a junior bridesmaid and considers Sara’s child her niece.

“I can tell her just about anything,” Olivia said. “She’s been with me through everything.”

Susan said, “They really have become true sisters.”

In the fall Olivia will be attending CCRI and hopes to transfer to Rhode Island College later. She would like to study and work in early education, specializing in infants and toddlers with special needs.

For more information on or to donate to BBBSOS visit their website www.bbbsos.org.

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