Francine Clement, a junior exercise science and health promotions major, won the Commonwealth Good Citizen Scholarship for her endless hours of community service. Clement was one of six students from 84 colleges belonging to the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania who received the Commonwealth Good Citizen Scholarship for $1,000.
Cabrini’s commitment to community service was an important aspect that stood out to Clement when she was deciding what college to attend after high school. She felt Cabrini gave her the opportunity to take part in community service projects.
Clement said, “Being at college to me means not only attending class but incorporating some kind of service aspect in my life.”
Clement became involved in community service projects when she was in high school.
When Clement entered Cabrini, she continued to get involved in countless service projects and activities. Clement was the executive director of Up ’til Dawn, a year-long fundraising campaign for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She also participated in the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, the Hunger and Homeless Campaign, she was a tutor through the Cabrini-Norristown partnership and active in Cabrini’s campus ministry.
“I just try to get my hands on a lot of things on campus. I think it is important to be involved and keep your eyes open to new things,” Clement said.
“Even if it’s not a service project, people should get involved because it helps to keep people grounded.”
Although Clement will not be involved in Up ’til Dawn this year, she believes that it is the best activity on campus. She feels that her involvement in Up ’til Dawn is the most memorable experience that she will take away from college.
Clement said, “We did our part to fight to save the children. I learned a lot of good things by being part of Up ’til Dawn.”
Clement was surprised when she learned that she had won the scholarship. She said, “I did not think that I would get this scholarship. It is a really nice compliment to get rewarded and recognized for doing things that you want to do, that are so normal to you.”
