By Kristen Lutz
Communications Program Chair
I had the pleasure of sitting down with our 2017 Dianne Polseno Scholarship 2nd Place Winner, Heather Dunlap, to get to know a little more about how this award will affect her and her future practice. Heather was the recipient of $500 and a free year of AMTA-MA membership. Did you know we have $1,000 and $500 (PLUS A YEAR OF FREE AMTA MEMBERSHIP!) just waiting for some brilliant and talented souls to take home each year? Here's what Heather had to say about how the scholarship will make an impact on her career.
Heather will be opening a place to practice at 20 Hampden Drive in Easton, MA in the next month or as soon as my MA license arrives. She will also be working PT out of Healing Massage Therapy in Taunton, MA.
Q. How did you hear about the Dianne Polseno Scholarship?
A. I was first told about Dianne Polseno when I attended a Cadaver Workshop that she had started and the host shared a bit about her and her legacy. Several months later while attending school at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy one of the staff handed out information on the scholarship and recommended anyone who was interested to enter.
Q. Where are you attending school and do you have a favorite class/area of study?
A. I just graduated from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy at the end of March 2017. Picking just one class is hard! I loved Anatomy and Physiology maybe more because we built all of our muscles one by one on our own mannequin. I am a visual learner and this really solidified all that we were learning. Then really ALL of the hands on massage classes. Each time I thought, WOW this class was great. I’d move on to Asian Studies or Sports Massage and say it all over again.
Q. What will be the first thing you do with your Scholarship Award?
A. I plan to take a course in Thai Massage. I am very athletic and had planned to do just Sports Massage but during school and Asian studies I found a balance I hadn’t realized I needed. I am excited to take Thai Massage as I think this will bring all the things I love together. Without the financial help I would not have been able to consider this for several more years.
Q. How will the Award make an impact on your massage therapy practice?
A. Receiving this award has made it possible to take a class that I believe will help me be a better Massage Therapist to the clients I would like to treat. I think it will give me more knowledge to create treatment plans that are versatile and benefit so many more people than I may have. I also believe that Thai Massage will help me as a Therapist to align myself and keep my body in tune so I will be able to continue working and learning for years to come.
Q. What would you like to say to next year's applicants?
A. Apply! If you have goals and a positive outlook why not apply? It is a fabulous opportunity that is there to help people achieve their dreams!
Q. Why is it important for people to contribute to the Dianne Polseno Scholarship Fund?
A. Without this scholarship money many massage therapists might not be able to start their businesses or continue to learn. I know without help from scholarships and loans I would have never been able to go back to school. There are so many talented, giving people out there that want to continue their education but could not without the help of people contributing. I for one am so grateful that Dianne Polseno has started this scholarship and it continues to help students achieve what they might have thought impossible.