John P. Bowe Memorial Scholarship

James E. and Carol A. Bowe established this scholarship for the benefit of graduating Pleasant Valley seniors to honor and remember James’ brother, John, a kind and gentle soul whose only sin was to be born a few years too early.

Born August 23, 1948, he was severely mentally handicapped and somewhat physically impaired due to a condition which would label him as an “RH baby.” Parents with opposite blood antigens, (one positive, one negative) can produce offspring with this condition unless the fetus is transfused in the womb to match the mother’s antigen. This knowledge and the procedure to correct the condition came a few years too late for Johnny.

John’s death came suddenly and tragically when he choked on a mid-morning snack at the HDC workshop. They were unable to clear his airway and he was without oxygen for too long. Three days later, on July 31, 2008, he passed away quietly at Genesis West.

John P. Bowe was a man who was never in the public eye; a man who never had the chance to achieve greatness, to have a family, to build a legacy. The love of all who knew him will be his legacy, as will be this scholarship, which will bear his name forever.

Criteria to Apply:

Be a graduating senior of PVHS
The scholarship will be given to a student who intends to pursue a career related to working with mentally and/or physically handicapped individuals or mental health care
The applicants shall have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grade point average scale (or an equivalent average)
The applicant must have a minimum ACT composite score of 21
The applicant must have demonstrated involvement in school or community activities (significant work experience can substitute for this involvement)
The application will require the student to provide essay responses to future career goals and what motivates them to seek a career working with mentally and/or physically handicapped individuals or in mental health care

Scholarship Personal Statement/Essay:

In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us why you've chosen your field of study.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us what your plans are after your post-secondary education is complete.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us about one of the following: your ability to problem solve, work with others, and/or your dedication to the community.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us how you've overcome an obstacle.
In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us anything else about yourself you think the selection committee would like to know.