This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Local Voices

Newtown Resident 1 of 3 Recipients of 2013 Business Women's Forum Scholarships

The 2013 Business Women’s Forum (BWF®) will award its annual scholarships to three Post University students. Emily Slosson of Newtown, Cynthia Cruz, and Julia Slyaktina on October 18th at the 31st annual BWF conference that will be held at The Aqua Turf Club at 556 Mulberry St. in Plantsville from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“Be The Change” is the inspiring theme of the day-long 2013 BWF that will feature Kathy Ireland, CEO and chief designer of the design empire Kathy Ireland Worldwide, the 23rd most powerfully licensed brand in the world, and psychologist, author, consultant and motivator, Dr. Janet Lapp, as the BWF’s keynote motivational speakers. Connecticut’s largest and longest-running full-day annual conference for women, the 31st annual BWF (www.2013bwf.com) is anticipated to attract over 600 business professionals from throughout New England.                               

The BWF is a program of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Waterbury, Conn. The mission of the non-profit BWF is to raise funds for a scholarship to enable female Post University students to pursue business educations. To date, the BWF has raised more than $150,000.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sandra Wilson, Esq., Academic Program Manager for Post University’s Criminal Justice program, a BWF Board Member, and the 2013 BWF Scholarship Committee Chairwoman, is confident each of this year’s awardees will “achieve great success in their future careers. A college education is fundamental to the success of young women today and providing a financial assistance only improves their future. This year’s scholarship winners were most impressive and are some of the most focused, ambitious young women who have already accomplished so much in their young lives.

Emily Slosson is a lifelong resident of Newtown, Conn., where her passion for horses has grown into a career. She attended Nonnewaug High School with a concentrated study in Equine Stable Management, and went on to attend Post University where she is currently studying equine care and management with concentrations in equine nutrition, rehabilitative hoof trimming, and massage therapy.  In 2012, during her junior year at Post, Emily started a small business working with private owners to exercise and train their horses using a new method referred to as natural horsemanship.  She plans to incorporate her concentrated studies into her business after her graduation in May 2014.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cynthia Cruz has been studying business since her freshman year of high school, but took until her junior year of college to declare an accounting major. “I took my first accounting class my junior year and that’s when I knew accounting was for me; from that point on, becoming an accountant has been my ultimate career goal.” Cynthia graduated high school with an award in Business and Finance, has held a job in a firm’s accounting department since age 16, and recently took a bookkeeping position.  Upon graduating, Cynthia has her eye set on Connecticut CPA certification.

Julia Slyaktina came to Post University from Moscow, Russia, and is majoring in accounting.  Aside from academics, Julia enjoys playing volleyball and represents Post as part of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).  She is co-founder of Post’s Business Society, a group developing entrepreneurial spirit on campus. Before coming to the United States in July 2011, Julia worked in advertising and event agencies, but decided to study accounting because of “the great professors and resources” available at Post. She hopes one day to start her own business.

Admission to the full-day 2013 BWF includes an opening breakfast with Dr. Janet Lapp, and luncheon with Kathy Ireland, six professional development workshops, networking, closing reception with raffle prizes. The full-day conference promises to be a highly-informative and exciting day of dynamic and accomplished speakers, professional business trainers as workshop leaders, networking opportunities and a high-energy closing reception that features continued networking, a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, beverages, raffle and door prizes.

To learn more, and to register for the October 18th 2013 BWF, visit www.2013bwf.com, or call the Waterbury Regional Chamber at 203-757-0701.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?