Lacey Helfers, left, was presented the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship by Kathryn Schmidt.

SYRACUSE — The prestigious P.E.O. STAR Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year was presented to Lacey Helfers, a senior at Wawasee High School. The scholarship was presented at the high school awards ceremony May 23 by Kathryn Schmidt, P.E.O. Chapter EJ representative.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded Jan. 21, 1869, at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is an international philanthropic and education organization promoting increased educational opportunities for women. The P.E.O. Sisterhood has provided more than $304 million in financial assistance to more than 102,000 recipients.

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is $2,500 based on excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics and potential for future success. The program is open to young women who are citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada and who are graduating high school seniors at the time of application. The student must be recommended by a P.E.O. chapter.

Helfers is the daughter of Jeff and Michelle Helfers, Syracuse, and was recommended for this scholarship by Chapter EJ of Syracuse. She demonstrates all of the qualities the Star Scholarship requires. Helfers has been accepted and will attend Purdue University this fall where she plans to study visual arts education and theatre production with the intent of returning to the community to teach.

For additional information on the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship please contact Schmidt at [email protected] or visit peointernational.org.