Willow Grove Resident Receives Christopher Laroche Memorial Scholarship

Jillian Plum is a Culinary Arts student at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology () in Willow Grove and a senior at Abington Township High School. At EASTERN’s Awards Night on May 31, she was recognized as the fourth recipient of the prestigious Christopher Laroche Memorial Award.

Christopher A. Laroche was a 2001 Culinary Arts graduate from the EASTERN and Abington High School.

After graduation, Christopher followed in his father’s footsteps and became an Electrician. Christopher passed away suddenly in a tragic automobile accident on Oct. 28, 2008.

To honor his memory, the Laroche family and Christopher’s fiancée, Crystal Peterman, have established the Christopher Laroche Memorial Award for one EASTERN Culinary Arts or Electrical Technology student. Christopher leaves behind a legacy of kindness and helpfulness toward others, and the recipient of this award is chosen by the Laroche family with those qualities in mind.

Jillian is also the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Officer for 2011 – 2012. SkillsUSA is EASTERN’s student leadership organization as well as a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. In October, Jillian was named EASTERN’s Student of the Month.

At Abington High School, Jillian is a member of the Key Club and is a Cheerleader. She is employed as a store clerk and cake decorator at Weinrich’s Bakery, and as a waitress at the Italian Village Bistro.

Jillian will be living and working in Germany for one year after graduation on a work study program. She was accepted to and offered a scholarship for Penn College of Technology’s Hospitality Management program, all of which has been graciously deferred for one year.

To donate to the Christopher Laroche Memorial award, please send a check payable to the “EASTERN Foundation.” Checks can be mailed to Mrs. Amy Shields, EASTERN’s Organizational Advancement Director, at 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. Please indicate that your donation is for The
Christopher Laroche Memorial Award. All donations are tax deductible as EASTERN’s Foundation is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Those districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career. The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove.

For more information, please call Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org. To become a fan on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter.