In recent weeks, the Central Westbury Civic Assocation (CWCA) has been busy planning and rallying support for its 2002 John Burnett Scholarship Fund benefit.

Each year, the CWCA gives a scholarship of $500 each to two Westbury High School seniors who will be attending college. This year's fundraiser will be a tribute luncheon, honoring Dr. Robert Pinckney and Dr. Faroque A. Khan, the founders of the apprenticeship program for Westbury students at Nassau University Medical Center. The fundraiser will be held at the International Buffet, Garden City, on June 15, from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. This year's scholarships will be awarded at the CWCA membership meeting of June 25.

To be considered for the award, students must reside within central Westbury, and must write a 250-word essay about their involvement in the community, and how they plan to give something back to it when they graduate from college. Candidates are also required to attend two CWCA meetings, one Westbury Village Board meeting, and one Westbury Village Zoning Board meeting to learn about local government and civic duty. Mannie Sweat, president of CWCA, noted that the scholarship program aims to promote student awareness of the problems facing the local community, such as litter, illegal dwellings, and gang violence - and the importance of civic involvement to combat those problems. "We want them to be involved as community people," said Sweat. "We want to try to instill in them the importance of maintaining the community for a good quality of life for them and their future kids."

Sweat wished to thank those who have supported the scholarship fund, including Westbury's own, nationally renowned WWII Tuskegee Airman, Colonel Spann Watson, a member of the CWCA's Education Committee. In his role as a member of the committee, Watson has been instrumental in gathering financial support for the scholarship fund, Sweat noted. The colonel, who served with an historic, and heroic, African-American fighter squadron in WWII, also serves as a role model to Westbury students by speaking in the schools.

Those who are interested in attending the June 15 scholarship fundraiser may contact Sweat at 333-1290 or CWCA Vice-President Lois Cobb at 333-2009 for tickets. The ticket price is $40 (all-inclusive.)

Sweat also wished to extend an open invitation to all to come out to the CWCA's next membership meeting set for Feb. 26. The meeting will be held at the Westbury Community Center, 360 Post Avenue in Westbury at 8 p.m. In honor of Black History Month, the CWCA will welcome guest speaker, Reverend Adrienne Brewington, pastor of Westbury United Methodist Church. All are welcome to come and meet Rev. Brewington during the meeting.