Liliana Kathryn Brockway of Bethlehem plans to major in English in college and pursue a career in copyediting or book publishing. A milestone in bringing those goals to fruition took place June 27 at Rosemont Lutheran Church in Bethlehem when she was awarded the $1,500 Irene Todd Scholarship during the Sunday service.

“I’m really grateful to Rosemont for the opportunity to apply for the scholarship. I’m thankful they selected me,” Brockway said during the reception in her honor that followed in Laros Hall, where everyone enjoyed the delicious chocolate sheet cake the church served for the celebration.

Brockway will attend Moravian University, formerly Moravian College, this fall. She found out about scholarship through her church, St. John’s Windish Lutheran Church, where the Rev. Suzanne Trump is pastor. Rosemont mailed scholarship packets to six Lutheran churches in Bethlehem as well as Liberty and Freedom high schools, but the scholarship is open to all students who wish to apply.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends,” Brockway said of her forthcoming college days at Moravian.

Brockway is a graduate of Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School where she was a member of the band and multiple honor societies.

She is an active member of St. John’s, where she helps train the acolytes and helps with anything that needs to be done.

Joining Brockway for the celebratory morning were her parents, Greg and Gina Brockway, and grandparents, Gene and Kathy Novak, who is one of the part-time secretaries at St. John’s.

Kathy Novak noted that Brockway raised the American flag during a ceremony at Payrow Plaza June 25 that marked the 30th anniversary of Independence for the Republic of Slovenia. Stephen Antalics raised the Slovenian flag. Those attending included Tone Kajzer, Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States; and Alenka Jerak, Consul General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia who is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

The day also marked the 25th anniversary of Bethlehem’s Sister Cities Association with Murska Sobota, Slovenia.

Dr. Irene Todd, a member of Rosemont since the 1940s, bequeathed funds to the church upon her death in December 2004. As a result of Todd’s generous bequest, Rosemont established a scholarship fund in her name in 2015 for students seeking an undergraduate bachelor’s, associate’s or trade school degree. Todd was a podiatrist in Bethlehem.

Rosemont established the scholarship fund for the purpose of forwarding its mission to Christ and in support of education. “Christ has called us together to do God’s work” is the mission statement that guides Rosemont in serving the church family and broader community.

Each year since the scholarship’s formation, a $1,500 scholarship has been awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic competency as well as compassion and caring through service to his or her church and community. Eligibility requirements include applicants submitting an essay of approximately 300-500 words focused on their background, educational goals, reasons for applying and explaining how the scholarship would help them achieve their career goals.

Along with Pastor Steltzer, the scholarship committee is comprised of Art Smith, chair, who was unable to attend the service; Lorraine Goff, president of the church council; and Patricia Nelson and Michelle Curry.

Past scholarship recipients are: Aaron Matthew Strawn, 2020 and 2019; McKenzie Eisenreich, 2018; GianCarlo Seixas, 2017; Joseph Furner-Starrett, 2016; and Shawn Hartzell, 2015.