NEWS RELEASE
July 12, 2004

Contact: Laurie Jake, ATRA Communications Coordinator
Phone (480) 460-1525 or
Ann D Huston MPA, CTRS
Phone: (703) 683-9420

University of Southern Maine Student selected for Scholarship to the 2004 ATRA Annual Conference

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s Office of Continuing Education is pleased to announce that Lauren McPartlin, a student at the University of Southern Maine is one of the 2004 Peg Connolly Scholarship recipients. Named in honor of Dr. Peg Connolly, the first President of ATRA and former Executive Director of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, this program provides a tremendous experience for students. This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in a therapeutic recreation program during the conference year.

Eight stipends were awarded to deserving college and university students throughout the country. The stipends allow the award recipients to attend ATRA’s Annual Conference, including conference registration, lodging accommodations and meal stipend. The 2004 Annual Conference will be held in Kansas City, MO. This scholarship is a “working scholarship” and winners are expected to assist in various aspects of implementing the conference.

McPartlin, a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in health studies describes the impact of winning this scholarship, “Being awarded this scholarship has built my confidence as a professional. This opportunity will give me the chance to bring back new ideas to my internship and work experiences. Attendance at this conference will give me the extra step I need to be an exceptional student during my internship next fall. .”

ATRA believes the future of our field depends on the continuing growth of students. Today, many former scholarship recipients prove this belief by serving vital roles within the therapeutic recreation profession. ATRA is pleased to have provided this opportunity to reward students who demonstrate exceptional competence in the field of therapeutic recreation on the basis of their academic achievement, personal and professional philosophy, leadership skills and other occupational achievements.

This year’s Scholarship winners are:
• Emily Bean from Indiana University
• Jabeth Coachman from Pittsburg Sate University
• Rosemarie Hindes from California State University Northridge
• Tara MacCaughelty from Georgia Southern University
• Lauren McPartlin from the University of Southern Maine
• Danny Pettry II from Indiana University
• Beth Sibert from Eastern Washington University
• Deborah Silver from Ithaca College

For more information, please contact the ATRA National Office at (703) 683-9420.

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The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) was founded in 1984 to advance the profession of therapeutic recreation. ATRA is a non-profit, professional membership organization dedicating 100% of resources and efforts to promote therapeutic recreation professionals in health care and human service settings. For more information, please contact the ATRA National Office.