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Connellsville woman one of 10 international recipients of Soroptimist award

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read
1 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Surrounded by her children, Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, wipes away tears of joy after receiving a $10,000 educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women. The Fayette County chapter hosted the recent ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients.

2 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, left, is presented with a $10,000 educational award called Live Your Dream by Debbie Reichenbach, District 4 director from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women.The Fayette County chapter hosted the recent ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients.

3 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Officials gather for a group photo as Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, became one of 10 international recipients of the educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women. Pictured are (from left) Marianne Hill, District 4 secretary; Debbie Reichenbach, District 4 director; Peggy Gentile-VanMeter, governor, North Atlantic Region; Elaine Swaney, Fayette County Live Your Dream chair; Irene O’Brien, Fayette County charter member; Welsh; Pam Howarth, Fayette County president; Karen Gehers, North Atlantic Region treasurer; and Alice Lubrecht, North Atlantic Region secretary.

4 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, at podium, receives hugs from her family after receiving a $10,000 educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is to improve the lives of women.

5 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Peggy Gentile-VanMeter, North Atlantic Region governor, speaks at a ceremony presenting Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, with the educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women. The Fayette County chapter hosted the recent ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients.

6 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Peggy Gentile-VanMeter, North Atlantic Region governor, left, hugs Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, who is one of 10 international recipients of the educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women. The Fayette County chapter hosted the recent ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown.

7 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Members of Soroptimist International listen as Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, delivered remarks upon receiving the Live Your Dream educational award. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients of the award. The Fayette County chapter hosted the ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown.

8 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Pam Howarth, of Uniontown, president of Soroptimist International of Fayette County, addresses members during recent ceremony in which Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, received the Live Your Dream educational award. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients.

9 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Surrounded by her children, Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, offers thanks after receiving a $10,000 educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women. The Fayette County chapter hosted the recent ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients.

10 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Amanda Cuteri, of Uniontown, staffer for state Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown, presents Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, with a certificate of recognition. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients of the educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women.

11 / 11

Frances Borsodi Zajac|Herald-Standard

Surrounded by her children, Jana Welsh, of Connellsville, center, is congratulated after receiving a $10,000 educational award called Live Your Dream from Soroptimist International, whose mission is improving the lives of women. The Fayette County chapter hosted the recent ceremony at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown. Welsh is one of 10 international recipients.

Jana Welsh of Connellsville cried tears of joy as she became one of 10 international recipients of Soroptimist International’s Live Your Dream award.

“I’m blessed to be here with such an amazing group of women — so passionate and hardworking. The things you have done for me and my family there just aren’t words,” said Welsh, a single mother of three who works two jobs while attending college.

Welsh received a certificate, gifts and $10,000 during the September meeting of Soroptimist International of Fayette County at the Ramada Inn in Uniontown, attended by Soroptimist officials and Welsh’s family.

A volunteer organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls, Soroptimist International presents the Live Your Dream Award to women who are the primary financial support of their families and enrolled in a post secondary education or training program.

Welsh earlier this year received a $1,500 Live Your Dream award from the Fayette County chapter and $5,000 award from the North Atlantic Region before moving onto the international level.

A first-generation college student, Welsh will graduate Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus in May with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. She plans to earn her master’s degree and doctorate.

“That’s something I never thought I could dare dream,” said Welsh, “and thanks to you wonderful women, you show me if you do the work, it can be a reality.”

Welsh talked about overcoming personal hardships and her wish to help others.

“I used to think ‘why me?’ Now I think maybe I’m assigned these mountains so I can show others they can be moved,” Welsh said.

Debbie Reichenbach, Soroptimist District 4 director from Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties, presented Welsh with the check, saying, “You may think we’re the most wonderful women in the world right now. I want to tell you, we look at you, and we think you’re the most wonderful woman in the world right now because you’re someone who’s providing for her family, making her life better.”

Reichenbach continued, “As you shared at spring conference, when you said those magic words of ‘I want to help others in this situation,’ I knew you were the right candidate, and, apparently a lot of other people knew that, too.”

North Atlantic Region District 4 Gov. Peggy Gentile-VanMeter, of Cumberland County, New Jersey, said, “Thank you for never giving up and for climbing those mountains, achieving those dreams because I do believe dreams do come true.”

Pam Howarth, of Uniontown, Fayette County chapter president, said of Welsh, “She’s appreciative and understands she’s chosen the right path. She’s willing to put herself out there to help others who had to walk the same path. I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving. We can be very proud.”

Howarth noted club members were thrilled that one of their recipients has received this international honor: “We are, as a club, overjoyed – although we’ve had a lot of applicants and we’ve given scholarships away – that we have one in 10 internationally that has really brought it home to little old Fayette County and I think it’s awesome.”

Amanda Cuteri also presented Welsh with a citation on behalf of state Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown.

Welsh thanked her family for their support and introduced her three children: Alorrah, 14, Larry, 12, and Reagan, 6, saying : “These guys are my everything. This is why I do what I do.”

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