The Judith Randolph-Longwood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has awarded its first-ever scholarship to benefit a student seeking to continue her education in the community.

Jenny Bobko, a DAR member, created the scholarship in memory of her mother, Grace L. Jones.

“It meant so much to me to honor her memory,” said Bobko. “My mother was a single mother raising four children on her own. She always wanted to make it easier for someone else.”

Jones died in 2005 at age 97. The money for the scholarship comes from insurance money that Jones left for Bobko.

The scholarship was created to be awarded to a high school senior intending to pursue a career in nursing.

Bobko said, “I know how hard I struggled to get through nursing school.”

The $1,000 Grace L. Jones Memorial Nursing Memorial Nursing Scholarship was awarded to Christine Minozzi, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, located in Hanover.

Minozzi will attend the University of Virginia for Nursing in the fall.

Janine D’Antonio, Bobko’s daughter, was head the committee that decided who would be chosen for the scholarship. Applicants were required to provide a letter of recommendation, and essay, along with GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and class rank.

Twenty-one students from high schools across Virginia applied for the scholarship. Of those applications, there were some from New Life School, Cumberland High School and Fuqua School.

According to Bobko, Minozzi’s passion for nursing and strong essay put her ahead of other applicants.

The committee presented Minozzi with the scholarship last week. Minozzi attended the ceremony with her mother and father, Donna and Scott Minozzi.

According to Bobko, “She was very pleased. Her family appreciated what we had done.”

Bobko said that the DAR will continue the scholarship next year, but they will be limiting it to just local applicants.