Franchesca Nestor, a West Virginia University junior political science major from Grafton, has been awarded the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
The honor is given to college juniors who intend to pursue careers in public service. Nestor was one of 77 students selected from among more than 600 candidates nominated by 300 colleges and universities.
Each Truman Scholarship provides $26,000$2,000 for the senior year and $24,000 for graduate study. As a recipient, she also receives leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special internship opportunities within the federal government.
Nestor is the 16 th WVU student to be named a Truman Scholar since the first awards were made in 1977. The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 in honor of the nation’s 33 rd President.
Nestor was awarded the scholarship in recognition of her demonstrated leadership abilities, commitment to public service and potential for making a significant contribution to national public policy.
Recently, she interned for Delegate Stan Shaver, a member of the West Virginia House Education Committeean experience that allowed her to observe state government firsthand by shadowing a legislator.
I was amazed by how fast-paced the average day at the Capitol is,she said,and I came home with a better understanding of how difficult the job is. People need to know that any of their West Virginia representatives would be happy to answer e-mails or calls and do the best job they can for you.
Nestor is a straight A student (she has earned 12 grades of A+ at WVU ) and active in many campus activities, including Chimes, WVU ’s junior honorary; Golden Key International Honour Society; and WVU Community Arts Orchestra. Last year, she participated in WVU ’s first Women’s Leadership Workshop, and in 2002 she performed at the Kennedy Center with the WVU Wind Symphony.
However, she said helping children from low-income families as an AmeriCorps mentor is the single most important thing she has ever done.
I’ve learned that parents, no matter what their financial status is, want only the best for their children,she said.Most of all, I’ve learned that every child has a dream and that, given the right opportunity, every child has the ability to fulfill that dream. The only way we can truly provide that opportunity, I feel, is by providing an excellent and equal education to every child from the beginning.
Because of this experience and her interest in politics, Nestor has her sights set on a career in government, helping to shape education policy.
So many people despise politics and are bored by public policy, but the only way we can make things better is if we use politics and public policy to get it done,she said.Politics moves the world. I have the goals I have because I want to make people’s lives better in as many ways as I possibly can. I know people are hurting, and I absolutely cannot sit back and watch that happen.
With the influence of mentors like her former high school civics teacher Tom Spadafore and WVU political science professor Robert DiClerico, Nestor is optimistic about her future. She is also grateful for her cousin Robert’s support and the inspiration of children at Flemington Elementary School whom she has mentored.
Nestor’s achievement will be recognized at WVU ’s Weekend of Honors April 16-18 ( http://www.nis.wvu.edu/2004_Releases/WOH.htm ) . She will then join other Truman Scholarship recipients May 16 for a week-long leadership development program and receive her award in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo., on May 23.