Alyssa Wenderski wipes tears from her face as she is presented Como Park Lutheran’s scholarship by Janet Anderson, a PCYC Board member and member of Como Park Lutheran.

Scholarship Brings Tears of Joy to New PCYC Graduate

With a quick glance of the photo you could get the impression that Alyssa Wenderski was unhappy at her High School graduation ceremony. 

Wrong.  She was overwhelmed with tears of joy.   She knew that she would be receiving her diploma from PCYC at the June 5 ceremony.  However, she was taken by surprise when it was announced that evening that she was the recipient of a $2,250 scholarship sponsored by Como Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul . 

Alyssa, 18, burst into tears when the announcement was made. She didn’t know she was even being considered for the scholarship. As she approached the podium to receive her scholarship she said she noticed her mother was also sobbing in the audience.  Alyssa’s parents had both attended PCYC High School .

“I will never forget that day,” she said. “After the ceremony, people that I didn’t even know came up to me to hug me and congratulate me.”

“Como Park Lutheran has long history with PCYC” as a partner, said Jim Ashley, a member of the congregation’s Social Concerns Committee.  The Social Concerns committee sponsored a bazaar in which it raised over $12,000 for a variety of programs is contributes to.  “Providing a scholarship to a PCYC student was a high priority for the congregation,” he said.

Alyssa said she plans to become a physical therapist and will attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College this fall. She was one of the 33 students who graduated at this year’s commencement exercise.

“I’ll always love PCYC.  Not only did I get help while I was going to school, I’ve also gotten help with my future,” she said.