(Kings Park, NY) - On December 6, School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) and Farmingdale State College will host the third annual holiday breakfast to benefit the Fred Breithut Memorial Scholarship Fund. The program, which includes a continental breakfast, begins at 8:30 a.m. at Farmingdale State College's University Club in Knapp Hall. This year's theme is "Investment in Our Future."
The Fred Breithut Scholarship was established in November 2009 in partnership with Farmingdale State College. It is for graduating high school seniors who have met the academic requirements, have participated in the Long Island FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics program and will be entering the freshman class to pursue a degree in science or engineering technology at Farmingdale State College.
Those in attendance will have a chance to meet fellow colleagues, enjoy the holiday spirit and learn about the importance of SBPLI's robotics programs and the late chairman/founder of the organization for whom the scholarship is named.
With Mr. Breithut's passing, SBPLI wishes to keep his legacy alive by continuing to award the scholarship to eligible high school students. The scholarship breakfast will help in maintaining sufficient funds to provide scholarships to new incoming freshman students each year, as well as for the students as they proceed through their four years of college.
"Fred lived a life that is a model for all of us," said Scott Schuler, Interim President, SBPLI. "He always had the vision, persistence and tireless devotion to moving our organization forward."
The scholarship is for four years for students enrolling in Farmingdale State College, with an amount of $1,000 per semester. In order for a student to be eligible for the scholarship, he or she must meet the following requirements:
— Confirmed active participation in the Long Island FIRST robotics program while in high school for at least two years
— A high school GPA of 85 or better
— A SAT score of 550 or better in math, and 1100 or better in math/critical reading
— A letter from the team leader/mentor confirming active participation in the robotics program and addressing leadership, teamwork and gracious professionalism displayed by the student
— A letter from the student addressing community activities in which he or she participated and an essay on how the scholarship will influence his or her career goals
— Enrollment in one of Farmingdale State College's four-year programs: mathematics, science, engineering technology or computer systems
For the continuation of the scholarship each semester while the recipient is at Farmingdale State College, he or she must meet the following criteria:
— 3.5 GPA at the end of each semester
— A commitment to promote and support the Long Island FIRST robotics program
— A letter describing the actions he or she has taken to promote and support the LI FIRST program on Long Island and/or within Farmingdale State College
Tickets are $30, with all proceeds going directly toward the Fred Breithut Scholarship Fund. Anyone who cannot attend but wishes to contribute may make a donation to the fund.
To RSVP and to donate, send your tax-deductible contribution to SBPLI, Attn.: Joani Madarash, PO Box 101, Kings Park, NY 11754. Please make checks payable to Farmingdale State College Foundation, with "The Fred Breithut Scholarship Fund" written on the memo line. Checks must be received by December 1.
For more information, call Joani Madarash at (631) 360-2753 or email jmadarash@accesslinx.com. For more information on SBPLI, call (631) 627-8400 or visit www.sbpli-lifirst.org.
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School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) was founded in 1984 by Fred Breithut with the goal of developing partnerships between local high schools and businesses that would provide students with practical experience and curriculum development, while helping the business community develop its future workforce. Over 100 partnerships have been formed. In 1999, SBPLI brought the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics program to Long Island, where 14 high school teams participated. Since then, the FIRST robotics program has grown to 50 teams, with over 2,000 students participating in FIRST Robotics and LEGO League programs on Long Island each year. The 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition will be held at Hofstra University on March 29-31, 2012.