Successful Youth

High school graduation is the single most powerful predictor of whether a young person coming from generations of poverty will break the cycle. Roanoke Valley education statistics affirm that this issue needs to be a local priority. Ensuring that our local teens graduate from high school is the key to securing a successful future for all. Our impact programs work hard to close the gap between resources and the underprivileged teens we serve.

United Way of Roanoke Valley is investing in strategies that can connect students with the help they need to stay in school and provide support and stability for parents trying to help their teens get to graduation day.

Jean A. Glontz Leadership Scholarship Award

United Way of Roanoke Valley is committed to developing future leaders who are equipped to advance the common good in their community. To that aim, we offer the Jean A. Glontz Scholarship Award to an outstanding young student who has demonstrated a commitment community and to LIVE UNITED.

History:

Jean Glontz is a beloved and respected volunteer leader who had a long and colorful tenure of service at United Way of Roanoke Valley. She was a champion, advocate, fundraiser, influencer, and change-maker at United Way for 40 years, winning the praise of staff, volunteers, business and community leaders that she’s encountered along the way. She built quite a reputation of hard work, tenacity and dedication to United Way and to serving the community.

After serving various key volunteer roles in resource development and community impact, Jean turned her eyes to actively work with students in 2002 to increase their involvement in the community and increase their understanding of their civic responsibilities.  Jean Glontz and Lucy Walton developed an engaging presentation for school children that demonstrated United Way’s role in helping people (Hi-Five: United Way’s Helping Hand). In 2006, the next evolution of this work would reach high school students with the intent to build the next generation of leaders in the community. Jean felt strongly that a unique experience that allowed young people to learn from business and community leaders, and exposed them to the need in the Roanoke Valley was going to be part of her legacy. The vision was to take youth that were not necessarily the most popular kids, but the ones that had leadership potential and could shine given the opportunity.

In celebration of Jean Glontz’ long-standing and significant contributions as a leader, donor and volunteer at United Way, and her enduring legacy of developing tomorrow’s leaders, United Way is launching of the Jean A. Glontz Scholarship Award to recognize an outstanding student in the Roanoke Valley. This award recognizes a student exemplifying many of the leadership traits that Jean demonstrated over the years that make her such a strong champion for United Way and the community.

Scholarship level: $1,000 (non-renewable)

Scholarship criteria:

• Participation in community service that advances the mission of United Way including: volunteering, service learning, internships, clubs/programs, fundraising that advances the common good
• Demonstrated interest in supporting their community
  • Plans to pursue a career or other commitments in community service
• Leadership in advocacy for the welfare of others, or on behalf of community issues.
• Planning to enroll in higher education or trade school in the fall directly after graduation from high school