College Scholarship Awarded To Outstanding Greek Orthodox Scout
The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Schisler has been awarded a scholarship of $1000. She was selected from a nationwide group of outstanding applicants who had already received both the highest award of their Scout organization (Eagle or Gold, for the Scouting BSA and Girl Scouts of the USA programs, respectively) and the highest Eastern Orthodox Christian Scouting religious award, the Alpha Omega medal. Students are evaluated on how they demonstrate love of God and their Orthodox Christian Faith, and how they live up to Scouting ideals, through active involvement in their church and troops, as well as scholarship, leadership, and community service. Two other Eastern Orthodox Scouts have also received scholarships this year.
Elizabeth Schisler is a communicant of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Montgomery, AL, part of the Metropolis of Atlanta. She has faithfully served her parish, helping to clean the church after Sunday Liturgy and (for her Girl Scout Silver Award project) renovated key facilities, despite having to travel almost two hours in each direction to get there! Although the small parish cannot offer youth programs, Elizabeth has made herself known and loved there, and she loves the community as well. She attended Northside Methodist Academy in Dothan, where she received significant academic distinctions, challenged herself with many college courses, and excelled in athletics, especially track, cross-country, and archery. Her strong record of service and leadership includes attaining the Robert F. Lucas Award for serving as an Outstanding Key Club Lieutenant Governor. This February, she organized a community “Leap Day” run that raised thousands of dollars for a local children’s hospital, and recently organized a successful fund-raiser for a teacher with cancer, by running a half-marathon.
Elizabeth was a member of Girl Scout Troop 9124 in Ozark. Along with engaging in many outdoor, civic, and leadership activities, she carried out a Gold Award project to build literacy among a large group of elementary-school children. She designed a two-month, daily summer reading workshop that was fun, active, and success-oriented. She implemented it with excellent results at the local Boys and Girls Club, leading a team of other Scouts to provide focused instruction and attention to the children. The organization plans to run the program again in summers to come. This autumn, Elizabeth will be attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, majoring in Athletic Training with hopes of going on to medical school after graduation.
The EOCS is an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. Formed in 1960, it coordinates the Eastern Orthodox Christian Scouting program in America and serves as the officially recognized representative of the Eastern Orthodox Church for both the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA. Along with granting annual scholarships (62 since 1993), the EOCS publicizes Eastern Orthodox Christian Scouting, holds retreats, assists in the formation of troops, and offers three age-appropriate religious awards for Scouts. Eastern Orthodox members of programs including Scouting BSA, Girl Scouts, Exploring, Venturing, American Heritage Girls, Trail Life, and Camp Fire are eligible. For more information about any of these topics, visit the EOCS website at www.eocs.org. Applications for the 2021 Scholarship will be accepted from January 1 – May 1, 2021; see www.eocs.org/scholarship or contact Dr. Miriam E. Kotsonis, EOCS Scholarship Chairman, mekotsonis@gmail.com, (908) 672-0001.
