On Saturday, Sept. 26, The Inspiration Scholarship Foundation started off its second year by inducting two new members to its Board of Directors.

New to the board this year are Ashley Green of Vandalia and Paula Steffens of Dowagiac.

Each accepted a one-year term on the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Green received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education with a minor in language arts in May 2008 from Western Michigan University.

She is currently working as a special education paraprofessional at Kincheloe Elementary School.

She joined the foundation’s Board of Directors to help create a better life for those in her community pursuing higher education.

Steffens is originally from Onekama, Mich.

She received her bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from Western Michigan University and her master’s degree in education at Spring Arbor University.

She currently teaches eighth grade math at Dowagiac Middle School.

She is engaged to be married to Mark Vide of Dowagiac on Oct. 24, 2009.

Green and Steffens will be joining the foundation’s current board members, Sarah Mathews of Dowagiac, president; Evelyn Calogero of Olivet, co-vice president; Monica Clupper of Dowagiac, co-vice president; and Melissa Maiers of Niles, secretary and treasurer.

In addition to inducting two new members to the Board of Directors, the foundation also started the year by launching its first Web site, http://daretoinspire.org, which will allow community members and interested scholarship applicants to find out more about the foundation’s scholarships and upcoming events.

The Inspiration Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation incorporated for the sole purpose of raising and distributing scholarships to deserving individuals to inspire them to pursue higher education.

The foundation was incorporated in May 2008 and currently manages three scholarships: The Brenda Mast Memorial Scholarship, the Mary J. Wilkinson Scholarship and the Scott L. Teter Litigation Award.

During its first year of operation, the foundation awarded $1,400 in scholarships through these three scholarship programs and is hoping this year to double that amount.

For further information about the foundation, please feel free to contact the foundation’s Board of Directors at: directors@daretoinspire.org.