AAUW Beaver Valley Branch is proud to announce
our 2025 Scholarship Recipients:
From a pool of stiff competition among many eligible applicants,
the Scholarship Committee selected four scholarship recipients,
each receiving $2,500. In addition, we partnered with CCBC to present
a $1,000 award to a current CCBC student.
The winners are as follows:
High School Scholarship Recipients:
DANICA PURTELL
Danica, a senior at Beaver High School, sets her sights to the University of Pittsburgh with a major in the sciences and research to become a missionary pediatric surgeon.
She has gained insight into the field by participating in medical missionary trips, most recently with her mother to the Dominican Republic to distribute oral hygiene supplies and children’s books that Danica wrote. Number two in her class, Danica founded the school’s Chemistry Club and worked to make science approachable to other girls who may have been hesitant to pursue the field. She will continue to advocate for young women and ensure that underrepresented groups will have equal opportunities by transforming her passion for research into meaningful action.
QUINN O’LEARY
Inspiration came early to Quinn, who knew as an eight-year-old what her career path was destined to be. A woman television news anchor, Norah O’Donnell, was Quinn’s role model, and she emulated Norah’s poise and integrity in practice sessions with her siblings. At Beaver High School, Quinn was the face of the school’s morning announcements, was the social media content creator for the Athletic Department and was Class President for three years among many other activities. Quinn will attend Syracuse University to further hone her craft and perpetuate the path that was set before her. We look forward to seeing her on the evening news someday.
JAIVONA SMITH
Jaivona is a graduating senior from Beaver Falls High School who will attend Geneva College as a Criminal Justice major. Jaivona has proven herself to be a giving person—giving of her time and talents as attested by her total involvement in school and community activities. Driven also to maintain a responsible weekly work schedule, she was able to achieve high honor roll standing all four years and perfect attendance in her junior year. She was named Rotary Student of the Month and inducted into National Honor Society in her sophomore year.
Jaivona sees justice as being treated fairly, such as women to be treated equal to men. She values higher education, and she will reach for it.
Non-traditional Scholarship Recipient:
ANDREA DIGGS
Andrea, the Non-Traditional Scholarship recipient, has chosen to fulfill her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse and, eventually, a Nurse Practitioner after sixteen years in the military and the mother of two children. She sees that seeking higher education later in life is not only possible, but something to be proud to achieve. Currently, her job as a youth case manager at Beaver County Job Training helps her to see that barriers can discourage one from seeking certain careers; however, her work aligns with AAUW’s mission to break down barriers and equip youth with skills, resources, and confidence they need to succeed in their chosen fields. In her case, she is determined to promote equity in the healthcare system and drive change that benefits everyone.
CCBC Award
KENDRA COLEMAN
Kendra is a graduate of Beaver Falls High School where she was an active member of FBLA. She is now majoring in special education at CCBC while working at Beaver Falls Middle School. She plans on continuing her education at Slippery Rock University to earn her teaching degree. Kendra is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and she made the Dean’s List last semester. She would love to teach students in grade 3 or younger.
Past Years’ Scholarship Winners
Want to apply for our 2026 Scholarship Awards?
Application information will be posted in early 2026.