LEWISTON – Jennifer Russell-Bickford and Narissa Gross of Lisbon have been selected as the first recipients of the Virginia Chaplin Scholarship Fund from the YWCA of Central Maine. The funds were given to the YWCA from her estate after Chaplin’s death and are designated for young girls who display leadership skills within the community.

A native of Auburn, Chaplin was an active leader in the Lewiston-Auburn YWCA through the late 1950s and was president of the board of directors during the mid-1960s. She continued her YWCA leadership as co-chairwoman of the YWCA East Avenue Building Committee.

Chaplin was elected to the YWCA National Board and was involved in the World YWCA. She was a graduate of the University of Maine, a member of the Alumnae Council of the University of Maine and the Woman’s Association of Central Maine General Hosptial.

Russell-Bickford and Gross have been selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., from Nov. 18 to 23. The Chaplin Scholarship will provide the financial assistance needed for them to attend.

The conference is a leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit. Russell-Bickford and Gross will be two of approximately 350 scholars from around the country.

The theme is “The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today.” Throughout the six days, students will interact with key elected officials, political appointees and newsmakers in an exploration of the three branches of government, the news media and the international community.

Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship should contact the YWCA of Central Maine at 795-4050, extension 101.