Lora Lee Phillips

Penn State New Kensington will be hosting a Battle of the Bands, December 6 at 7:30pm, in the Forum Theatre. Admission is $5 and all proceeds benefit the Lora Lee Phillips Memorial Scholarship. At the time of her death, Lora was a sophomore at PSNK. Ralph Phillips, brother of Lora, will serve as master of ceremonies. The bands are judged on showmanship, understandable vocals, instruments and voice, blend, and timing. The semi-annual event has raised more than $7,000 for the scholarship fund.

The Battle of the Bands competition was started in 1987 by the Penn State New Kensington Stage Band members, in which Lora Phillips was a soloist. The members felt it important that Lora's memory be perpetual since she was so involved with the band, chorus, and drama clubs. The event is held each semester.

The Student Government Association raised $800 at its twelfth annual Battle of the Bands on November 30, 2002. All proceeds benefited the Lora Lee Phillips Memorial Scholarship. Participating bands include Grabble Rat, PSA, Kingdom of Jones, Divine Tragedy, The Deceptakons, Rollie Fingers, Stash, Soulfire, and Star Shadow.

Phillips Scholarship recipient Jennifer Eshbaugh with Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Phillips

The Lora Lee Phillips Memorial Scholarship was established in 1992 by the Phillips family as a lasting tribute to their daughter's and sister's loving nature, kindness, generosity, and her personal commitment to "service above self".

The scholarship provides financial assistance to students enrolled at Penn State New Kensington. All potential freshmen and full-time undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Arts and Architecture at the New Kensington campus are eligible to be considered for the award.

Students must have distinguished themselves by extracurricular involvement and service. The scholarship is renewable if the student exhibits further extraordinary accomplishments. Most notable, this scholarship is the only one of its kind at Penn State New Kensington.

The 2002-2003 recipient is Jennifer Eshbaugh.