WJA Awards Total of $65K to 45 Women

RAPAPORT... The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has revealed thewinners of its 2018 Excellence Awards scholarships and grants. The group will award a total of $65,000 -raised through its Awards for Excellence Gala, individual member donations andsponsorships - to 45 women. Twelve of those recipients are students inprograms focused on jewelry making and design. "It is important that WJA encourages and continues tosupport the professional growth and educational endeavors of women in thejewelry and watch industries," board president Jenny Luker said Monday. "The recipients are all extraordinary and exceptional atwhat they do. We are excited to see what new opportunities they will bring toour industry." The 2018 scholarship and grant winners are: Award: Carelle ($5,000) Winner: Christina Miller, cofounder and former executive director ofEthical Metalsmiths. Veteran Scholarship, sponsored by Jewelers MutualInsurance Group ($5,000) Lisa West, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graduateand freelance computer-aided-design jewelry designer. Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship ($5,000) Julie Martin, founder of Scout Mandolin, a luxury brand thatmakes custom one-of-a-kind engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry. Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship ($5,000) Magan Byron, a student at the GIA. The June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award($7,000) Hsinyu Chu, GIA Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($5,000) Hannah Hash, GIA Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($3,000) Ekaterina Korzh, University of Iowa Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($2,000) Zihan Yang, Savannah College of Art and DesignThe Peggy Kirby Scholarship Award ($5,000) Sidnee Tyree, Kendall College of Art and DesignNon-Designer Scholarship ($3,000) Jacqueline Lapuck, GIA Non-Designer Scholarship ($1,000 each) Natalie Tjaden, University of TennesseeMadison Desmond, GIASarah Andrie, GIAJodi Webster, University of Kansas Grant winners listed by WJA Chapter: Austin: Mousumi ShawBoston: Lori Magno, Siran VaradianChicago: Arica DeArcos, Kelly Jacobson, SusanneSiegel, Stephanie WishnoffColorado: Julia MancarellaDallas: Linda Friedel, Margueriette HutchisonLafayette: Mindi CourvilleLos Angeles: Harvinder Keila, Tania SilpanoneNorthern California: Deborah Durant, Brooke Miller,Rhoma YoungNY Metro: Maricha Genovese, Deborah Halperin,Delphine LeymarieOhio/Kentucky: Dawn Grady, Andrea KoenigProvidence: Marilyn SalvatoreSalt Lake City: Liz DeaneSan Diego: Marreena Appleton, Jennifer DeMoro,Christine Lopez, Peggy TsiamisSeattle: Andrea Price, Danielle SaudinoTwin Cities: Julie Burkhart-Haid, Laura McDonaldCharlotte Preston "Gets it Done" Grant: Nancy HudsonImage: Ring by Ekaterina Korzh