Insureon Announces Fall 2014 Winners of Small Business, Big Impact Scholarship

Winning essays earn two college students $2,500 for writing about a small business experience.

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Dec 08, 2014, 09:00 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Insureon, the nation's leading online provider of small business insurance, today announced the winners of its Fall 2014 Small Business, Big Impact scholarship, Laura Stockman and Shannon Desmond.

The scholarship is awarded semiannually to winners of an essay competition.

Shannon Desmond, a native of Lewes, Delaware, wrote about joining the staff of gourmet pizza restaurant Half Full as a high school student. Initially, the job was a means to an end for Desmond: she wanted income so she could get a car. But after working for a while, she noticed she "was sad to think that one day [she] wouldn't get to do this anymore." The restaurant's manager recognized Desmond's passion and suggested she consider a career in hospitality. When Desmond begins classes at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management in the fall, she'll do just that. Desmond plans to one day open her own hospitality business.

Kenmore, New York native Laura Stockman's essay detailed her launch of the Twenty-Five Days to Make a Difference project, a blogging project dedicated to helping young people do good deeds. Started as a way to memorialize her grandparents, the project led to Stockman's creation, with her mother, of the WNY Young Writer's Studio, which mentors young writers and teaches them how to blog to make a difference. When she turns 18 this year, Stockman hopes to grow the WNY Young Writer's studio into a vibrant not-for-profit. Her college plans align with this goal, as she's planning on majoring in graphic design and entrepreneurship.

"Having two daughters, it's especially energizing and inspiring for me to see how small businesses are making an impact on young women and vice versa," said Ted Devine, insureon's CEO. "The dedication and passion these students demonstrate are excellent reminders of how small businesses can truly change lives."

Both winning essays, along with bios of the winning students, are available on the insureon website: http://www.insureon.com/insureonu/small-business-scholarship/winners/. Desmond and Stockman will receive $2,500 each to put toward school expenses.

About insureon

Insureon, the nation's source for small business insurance, offers a variety of educational materials through its insureonU resources. Information on the spring 2015 scholarship will be posted here: http://www.insureon.com/insureonu/small-business-scholarship.

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