Local P.E.O. chapter awards scholarship to Glenbard East student

P.E.O. Chapter IR-Lombard recently awarded its annual scholarship to Erica Long, a senior at Glenbard East High School in Lombard.

Erica will be attending the University of Missouri at Columbia, majoring in child life. A child life specialist is a health care worker who helps children in hospitals cope with their hospitalization experience through simplified explanations, distractions and activities.

By helping each patient, one at a time, the goal is to make their hospital experiences less traumatic and scary and a little more joyful. In Erica’s own words, “With this career, I will have the chance to impact each patient through my kindness and compassion during their frightening journey. By being a resource to families and kids in hospitals, I hope to minimize their fears and worries in the face of illness.”

Erica’s Glenbard East High School activities include National Honor Society, Spanish club, band, key club, Spanish National Honors Society and best buddies-vice president. Athletic activities include girls track, and cross country captain. One of Erica’s coaches and teachers described Erica as a “leader, invested and eager.”

The Philanthropic Educational Organization brings to women increased opportunities for higher education. To learn more about PEO International, visit www.peointernational.org or facebook.com/peointernational.

The P.E.O. International Sisterhood maintains six educational projects in the form of grants, scholarships and loans, as well as the stewardship of Cottey College, a liberal arts and sciences college for women in Nevada, Missouri, which has been owned/supported by P.E.O. since 1927.