Sarah Bienvenu Tuition Giveaway winner

POPLARVILLE – Pearl River Community College student Sarah Bienvenu is not sure how she was going to pay for college this year if she had not won the 2013 Tuition Giveaway contest.

Bienvenu, 20, a 2011 Pearl River Central honors graduate, says the money contributed to her education will not be wasted.

“All of my family members encouraged me to enter the contest,” said Bienvenu. “I went out on a limb and wrote some stuff about myself. It really is a blessing.”

Bienvenu was recently selected as the winner of the third annual Tuition Giveaway contest, a promotion PRCC held in conjunction with Hattiesburg Coca-Cola and radio stations SL-100 and Wild 106.3.  

Live radio promotions, featuring free soft drinks and t-shirts, were held to advertise the contest in Hattiesburg, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Columbia and Poplarville.

Contestants had to tell their story through online submissions.

We had many student applicants who have had to overcome challenges and adversities, said Chuck Abadie, public relations director at PRCC. We had more than 140 submissions. Picking a winner was very difficult.

Bienvenu, the daughter of Bobby Bienvenu and Robin Koval of Picayune, is a student in the Medical Radiologic Technology program at PRCC. She will be a commuting student this fall at the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg.

“It really is hard having to go back and forth to school every day for class with the cost of gas,” said Bienvenu. “This will really help a lot. I am not sure I could do it without this help.”

A portion of her submission included the following:

“I am a go getter when it comes to life. I always put my best foot forward when it comes to my dreams. I won’t compromise…

“If I receive this money, I would be so thankful to be chosen, and so blessed to have such an opportunity. Money is a big concern for college students, but I won’t let that discourage me. I will do what it takes to earn my degree to help diagnose and treat diseases that doctors couldn’t see without the use of radiographs.”

Russ Hendley, Division Vice-President for Hattiesburg Coca-Cola, said he was thrilled with Bienvenu’s selection. It's great when you do a promotion and the winner is so grateful and deserving. Her story was so moving.

The 2011 winner was Kendall Laster of Hattiesburg. The 2012 winner was Amanda Blount of Hattiesburg.
Sarah Bienvenu Tuition Giveaway winner
PHOTO CAPTION:
HATTIESBURG – Pearl River Community College student Sarah Bienvenu of Carriere was selected as the winner of the third annual Tuition Giveaway contest, a promotion PRCC held in conjunction with Hattiesburg Coca-Cola and radio stations SL-100 and Wild 106.3. Pictured at the awards ceremony are from left: Jeff Bryant of Hattiesburg Coca-Cola, Vickie Wilberding of Clear Channel Radio, Russ Hendley of Hattiesburg Coca-Cola, SL-100 radio personality Shaggy, Candace Harper, Pearl River Community College alumni coordinator; Bienvenu, WILD 106 radio personality Big Daddy, Martin's IGA/Sunflower manager Keelan Jones, Kim Brown and Russell Boltz, both of Hattiesburg Coca-Cola.
PRCC Public Relations photo

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.