NCBWL awards three $17,000 scholarships to local schools

PEARLS OF WISDOM 2021 RAISED OVER $54,000

By: Lisa Link

The Nashville Catholic Business Women's League awarded three $17,000 scholarships to Nashville's three Catholic high schools recently. The League works each year to raise money to provide the scholarships, and this year was able to award the largest amount in its history to students at Father Ryan High School, Pope John Paul Preparatory School and St. Cecilia Academy. They are also going to start an endowment with $5,000 through the ACE Foundation for St. Michael Academy.

The scholarships, which are a centerpiece work for the League, were established 23 years ago. They are named for 1951 SCA graduate Aurelia Varallo Mariani who died in 1998. The League set up a memorial scholarship fund in her honor to support a deserving and financially needy student at St. Cecilia through all four years of her high school education. Since then, the scholarships have expanded to include one female Father Ryan student and one female student at Pope Prep.

The scholarships are funded by the annual Pearls of Wisdom event. This year it was a brunch held in September at Richland Country Club. Thanks to one of the most successful fundraising events, the League raised $55,704 in net proceeds. The results are remarkable, given the ongoing pandemic, but they speak to the generosity of their members, sponsors and supporters. Clearly, people in this community know the value of Catholic education and want to support young women. Special thanks to the co-chairs, Nikki Moreland and Patricia Vance, for orchestrating a wonderful event!

The NCBWL is a growing group representing women of all ages, backgrounds and professions. The League offers women a chance to network monthly with meetings and events. Next month, it is hosting a Christmas party at a member's home and guests are invited to this free event. More information can be found at www.ncbwl.org