Batavia Business & Professional Women’s Club 2024 Awards Ceremony

Woman of the Year Bobbi Norton, with President Vicki Wolak.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club (BBPWC) held their 2024 Awards Ceremony at the Batavia Country Club on Thursday evening. There were 25 applicants for scholarships. 14 students received $1,000 Scholarships for college in the fall.

Students were required to have an 85 or higher average, write a small essay, their parents also wrote a letter. A letter from their school was also required, along with a teacher/ counselor recommendation. All applicants were interviewed and answered 12 questions.

Several community organizations were also recognized with Service Awards. Batavia City Schools Heart of Kindness, Bethany Volunteer Fire Department, Byron Bergen FFA, Genesee Cancer Assistance and Warrior House of WNY. Each recipient received $400.

Standing ovation for Bobbi Norton, Vice President for BBPWC, on Thursday evening.

Ed Spence announced the winner of the Jill Spence Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 to Sarah Forness, a Pembroke/GVBOCES NHS/NTHS graduate. The award is in memory of Ed’s sister who worked for Strong Memorial Hospital as a manager in outpatient pharmacy for over 20 years. Jill, 48, passed away after a sudden heart attack. The winner of the award is chosen based on similar characteristic that Jill possessed, very friendly, with a big heart, an easy-going person who loved to spoil her nieces, Jill was the favorite Aunt, a family person.

Sarah Forness/Pembroke/GV Boces-Cosmetology/National Honor Society/National Technical Honor Society.