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Scholarship Spotlight: RIT student Laura DeMartino awarded 2015 Charles S. Smith Scholarship

Annually, at the year-end holiday celebration, PRSA Rochester designates and celebrates the work of an area student, awarding the Charles S. Smith Scholarship. The scholarship serves to honor former president of the PRSA Rochester Chapter and Bruse award winner, Charles (Charlie) Smith, who passed away in November 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Through the scholarship fund, Charlie’s legacy and commitment to the profession lives on. 

Scholarships are awarded to members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), enabling them to attend conferences and other educational events. Candidates go through a rigorous application process, and recognition is for early commitment to the field.

The year-end 2015 scholarship was awarded to Laura DeMartino. Laura is a fourth year Advertising and Public Relations major at the Rochester Institute of Technology. While minoring in both Journalism, as well as Media Arts and Technology, Laura finds time to be involved in PRSSA as President of the RIT Chapter.  In addition, Laura loves to spend time training for triathlons, spending time with her two Golden Retrievers, and watching football. She recently shared some of her future career aspirations with PRSA Rochester, and her plans with the scholarship moving forward:

Tell me about your role within RIT’s PRSSA chapter. What intrigued you about the Charles S. Smith Scholarship, and how do you plan to use it?
Last year I was elected President of the RIT PRSSA Chapter, and I was very excited to move forward in my professional career by taking on a high position. Being the president of a chapter is hard work, but it has many benefits such as meeting new people and learning more about the organization itself. The Charles S. Smith scholarship was one portion that I had learned about, and I immediately knew I had to apply. Lately, this has been sort of an RIT "legacy,” as the past six recipients have all been RIT students, including my friend, Jaclyn Bergin. I plan to use this scholarship toward my chapter's visit to Hofstra University this semester. We are visiting for the PRSSA 2016 Regional Conference, and I want a portion of the scholarship to go toward our traveling expenses. 

Any advice for future student leaders seeking this type of scholarship opportunity, or who want to get more involved with PRSSA/PRSA?
My advice for anyone seeking to get more involved in PRSSA is to apply for an e-board position, whether it be President or Secretary, every person in the club matters, and is important. I have learned so much about myself from being president, and how time management skills are key when leading others. If you're interested in this scholarship just go for it, as it represents a great man who did wonderful things.  

Plans/aspirations for the future?
My plan for after college is to continue working in public relations or advertising. Now that my senior year is coming to an end, I have been applying to both internships and full time jobs in Rochester, down to Austin, Texas. I plan to continue working with PRSSA/PRSA in my future, and of course remain in touch with those involved at RIT!