2017 B.L.E.S.S. Awards

Post date: Jun 01, 2018 5:18:59 PM

From left to right: Bill Beierschmitt, Mark Knackstedt, Sujatha Krishnan, Keith Osborn, Emily Carley, Ashely Seals, K. Vasudevan, Kumar Krishnan and Nancy Hulse. Not pictured: Rachel Behar, Kally Jones, Clara Gomez-Moran, Samantha Potts, Kelsey Silver

The Bartlesville Lincoln Elementary School Scholarship – B.L.E.S.S. conducted their 24^th award ceremony recently at the Lincoln School building. The school building was constructed in 1914 and was acquired and remodeled by Bartlesville’s own Service and Technology Corporation in 1986. The Corporation proudly occupies the old school as their headquarters.

B.L.E.S.S. awarded 7 scholarships this year. The function was attended by the students, parents, B.L.E.S.S. officials, previous award recipients, and friends. The Key note speaker was Megan Smith-Gaston, who was a multi-year recipient of the B.L.E.S.S. scholarship. Megan explained how a shortage of money could have brought her down. But the B.L.E.S.S. scholarship opportunity came about at a perfect time in her life. Just when she thought her dreams of continuing her education were over, the B.L.E.S.S. scholarship enabled her to continue on her educational and professional journey to be an educator. She is now a happy fourth grade teacher, helping build our nation’s future. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, more and more students are going to find themselves in similar situations, and for many students, B.L.E.S.S. will be there to help, Megan added.

Mark Knackstedt, President of B.L.E.S.S., explained that despite being a loan, the interest free aspect can save several thousand dollars compared to the normal student loan. B.L.E.S.S. is a loan of $1,750 per year for four years and repayment of only $100 a month without interest after four years of college or graduation. Mark further explained that the duration of the loan repayment is much shorter than the normal loans, often helping young people, at a time when they are just starting their family.

Sujatha Krishnan, long term Secretary of B.L.E.S.S. presented a brief history of the Scholarship. K. Vasudevan, Chairman and Founder of B.L.E.S.S., closed the ceremony by urging the young people to complete their higher education, pursue careers, keep in touch with each other and be more “human oriented” in this age of automation. He also expressed how great this country is and how blessed he has been to be a citizen of this great nation. He closed with a motto he holds dear and is one of the guiding principles of STC: “We do not compete; we set the pace.”

B.L.E.S.S. has awarded 96 scholarships helping young people seek careers in Engineering, Technology, Science, Business, Education, Medicine, and Fine Art. Students have attended various universities and admirably have a 100% pay back record on their loans.

B.L.E.S.S. loan has no strings attached for employment at any place. B.L.E.S.S. is a non-profit Oklahoma Corporation and contributions to B.L.E.S.S. are tax deductible.

For more information on B.L.E.S.S., please go to www.blessfundassociation.com.