Golden Key International Honour Society

Congratulations to the 2009 Winners:
George Barnes - University of Tennessee ($2,000)
	George comments, "Foremost, I would like to personally thank GEICO for granting me the Life Scholarship. My scholarship will play an integral role in all aspects of the upcoming school year. Specifically, the scholarship will financially help me with all circumstances pertaining to the completion of my undergraduate degree. I hold the honor of receiving the scholarship in the highest esteem, and the award will play a significant role in the overall furthering of my education."

Markita Billups - Temple University ($2,000)
	Markita comments, "I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude by thanking you for granting me the Geico Life Scholarship for the 2009 school year. With this award, I am able to look into the future with less focus on my financial burden and more focus on my academics. I vow to continue to achieve and perform at my highest ability throughout my life and especially during the rest of my college career. I plan to continue to participate in various activities and organizations while at the same time excelling in my academics to make Geico, Golden Key, and its partners proud and impressed with my performance. As this year’s Temple University’s Chapter Vice- President I look forward to encouraging others to excel despite the additional commitments that we may carry with us (especially during this particularly rough economic period)."

Sarita Foster - Loyola University of Chicago ($2,000)
	Sarita comments, "I am extremely excited and honored to be selected as a recipient of the 2009 GEICO Life Scholarship Award. As a single mother working full-time in the corporate world and working to complete my degree, I’ve learned the true meaning of hard work. Despite the personal and financial obstacles faced, I want to be the best role model for my son. I will accomplish this goal by completing my degree in Business Management with a concentration in Organizational Psychology next year and bridge the gap between Psychology (my passion) and Business (my experience). Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to succeed with your generous contribution!"

Kimberly Guy - University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($2,000)
	Kimberly comments, "I am thrilled to be a recipient of the GEICO Life Scholarship! With times being so difficult right now economically, this $1,000 reward will assist me in completing my bachelors degree this coming fall and pursuing a master's degree in counseling. It is the jump-start I need to follow my dreams in the hopes of helping people constructively deal with the stresses of life. Thank you, Golden Key and GEICO!"

Sergio Hernandez - Florida International University ($2,000)
	Sergio comments, "Thank you for choosing me as the 2009 GEICO Life Scholarship recipient. The award of this scholarship is of critical importance in my education as it will help me pay for books and tuition at Florida International University. This scholarship will also be utilized towards my preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT is undoubtedly the most important test in my undergraduate education. Thus, this scholarship will have a profound effect on my life. Thank you again for the opportunity to represent GEICO."

Terina Hicks- Duquesne University ($2,000)
	Terina comments, "I will use the award to help further my education. I will now be able to purchase a laptop (YEA), and books for school this semester! Winning this awards means that I will be able to complete my education without the worry of a financial burden. When I started college back in the mid 80s, I was unable to complete my education at that time due to a lack of funding. However, there seems to be a floodgate of scholarship and grant money available for education. This generation now has the ability and resources necessary to meet the needs of higher education. I am very fortunate to be able to reap some of the benefits of the harvest."

Susan Kane- University of Maryland-Baltimore County ($2,000)
	Susan comments, "It is with gratitude that I thank you for selecting me as a recipient for the 2009 GEICO Life Scholarship! As an adult-returning student and mother of three, I know well the talent and keen competition of students currently attending college! It is indeed an honor to be recognized by you and your staff as deserving of this prestigious award! Thanks to your generosity, as a senior completing the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies, I can eagerly anticipate student teaching and completion of the requirements for a Maryland Teaching Certificate at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Pending successful completion of my BA, I can earn an interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Degree (Ed.D) with a focus on American Indian Studies beginning in the fall of 2010. My ultimate career goal is a position with the Bureau of Indian Education specializing in curricula reform targeting reservation and tribal schools. Awarding me the 2009 GEICO Life Scholarship will indeed enable this life changing goal!"

Judith Leffler - University of Akron ($2,000)
	Judith comments, "My selection as a winner of the 2009 GEICO Life Scholarship is wonderful. I am going to use this scholarship to purchase a new computer with increased technological capabilities and memory. This will replace my current outdated and slowly fading computer. This scholarship gives me additional incentives to continue in the pursuit of my education degree. I have endured many personal and professional challenges during my twenty plus year working toward my degree. It is an honor to be recognized and it gives me more strength in my determination of achieving my goals. It also reminds me to continue encouraging those who also deal with hurtles that appear in their paths. Each of us should envision these obstacles as challenges to accept and openly embrace them no matter how difficult they appear to be at the time as they make us stronger. I am very fortunate for this recognition and deeply appreciate this scholarship. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Lisa Ryan - University of Pittsburgh ($2,000)
	Lisa comments, "I am honored to have won the GEICO Life Scholarship. Receiving this recognition really shows me that not only can one overcome one’s own hardships to succeed, but that there are wonderful people out there willing to lend a helping hand along the way. The money I receive will apply to my tuition at the University of Pittsburgh, and the pride I feel will fuel my future achievement."

Courtney Shaw - Norfolk State University ($2,000)
	Courtney comments, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Golden Key International Honour Society for their generosity in funding the GEICO Life Scholarship. I am very honored to be the recipient of this award. Receiving this scholarship motivates me to maintain my GPA and complete my degree in education. My goal is to use this award to further my education. Continuing my education and becoming a teacher will give allow me to give back to the community by encouraging and mentoring the younger generation. I thank you for your confidence and willingness to help me achieve my goals."