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WINNER SELECTED FOR VALERIE BURSTEN WINDOW FASHIONS SCHOLARSHIP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bethesda, Maryland, November 15, 2011: The International Window Coverings Exchange has announced the winner of the Valerie Bursten Window Fashion Scholarship Award. She is Cheryl Henricks, owner “Draperies By George”, a custom drapery workroom and retail store located in Chilicothe, Ohio. The Scholarship, which was established this year to honor the memory of the wife of the group’s co-founder, Steve Bursten, CEO of Exciting Windows!, is based on Valerie’s belief that the power of beautiful window fashions to impact the lives and happiness of homeowners is acquired through educating the professional. Cheryl, who was selected based on her desire to seek professional growth through education, is the recipient of the $6,000 Fund sponsored by the International Window Coverings Exchange, and supported by Window Fashions-Vision Magazine, Custom Home Furnishings Academy (CHFA), Window Coverings University and Exciting Windows!
In addition to receiving registration and travel expenses to IWCE 2012 set for April 26-28th in Chicago, Cheryl will attend the Professional Window Coverings Sales Class sponsored by Exciting Windows! at Window Coverings University in Baltimore December 6th – 8th. She will also receive education from the Custom Home Furnishings Academy (CHFA) and Window Coverings University.
"I cannot express how humbled I am that I’ve been selected to participate in this very prestigious honor,” Cheryl said upon accepting this award. “I understand Valerie had a passion for her projects, but more importantly for her clients. I share that same enthusiasm and am looking forward to participating in the educational aspects of this scholarship. I have always wanted to attend the IWCE Expo and other educational sessions, and because of your generosity, I am now able to do this”.
Cheryl started her a career as a ‘stay home mom’ who operated a fashion alteration business out of her basement, During this time, she was asked to sew window treatments and taught herself how to design and construct different styles. Sixteen years ago, when her youngest child was a senior in high school, a local drapery design store called Cheryl ‘out of the blue’ and asked if she would be interested in purchasing the business. She researched the sales of the company and decided it was a good investment – especially because she developed her skills by reading “how to” books and magazines.
Now that her children are grown, Cheryl is so grateful to focus on her career education. “I am sorry for Valerie’s loss,” she said, “and hope that I represent her as I go forward with this exciting opportunity and carry on the love of our profession." For information about the 2012 Scholarship, visit www.valerieburstenscholarship.com.
Attached Photo: Cheryl Henricks, winner of the Valerie Bursten Window Fashion Scholarship Award.
