Kelsey Lewis receives the Griener/Roof Memorial Law Scholarship.

Kelsey is a 2005 graduate of Cameron County High School. She recently received her undergraduate degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is now pursuing a law degree at California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. Kelsey is the daughter of Patrick and Andrea Lewis of Emporium. The Greiner/Roof Memorial Law Scholarship was created in memory of the Honorable Paul B. Greiner and the Honorable Vernon D. Roof, past President Judges of the 59th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Judge Greiner served as President Judge from 1964 until 1986, after which he served as a senior judge until his death at age 83 in 1999. Judge Roof’s tenure on the bench was much shorter, as he served as President Judge from 1996 until 2002, when he died at age 51. Both Judge Greiner and Judge Roof were respected and renowned as fair and impartial jurists not only in Elk and Cameron Counties, but throughout the Commonwealth.
The Elk County Community Foundation recently awarded the Michele Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship to Charlotte Beimel of St. Marys. Charlotte is a non-traditional student and long time employee of the Elk Regional Health System. She is currently pursuing her RN degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Michele Campbell was a hard working and dedicated nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. As the number one student in her class, Michele was dedicated to helping others and learning to be the best nurse she could. Her parents Jim and Joyce Campbell established this scholarship in her memory.

Recently, the Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship was awarded to Renee Dallasen of St. Marys, by the Elk County Community Foundation. Renee is the daughter of Theodore and Janet Dallasen and is pursuing a degree from the University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. She is a graduate of St. Marys Area High School. This scholarship was named for Joseph A. Williams who had worked in the lumber industry for over 67 years. Mr. Williams was always interested in civic matters and he held leadership positions with numerous community organizations including Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital.

The Elk County Community Foundation recently awarded the Ruth E. Reed Memorial Nursing Scholarship to Jimmy Higgins, of St. Marys. Jimmy is the son of James and May Higgins and is pursuing a nursing degree from Penn State Behrend. Jimmy is a 2007 graduate of Elk County Catholic High School. This scholarship is named for Ruth Reed, who was a skilled and compassionate nurse with 47 years of care and service. Her husband and children established this scholarship to honor Ruth’s constant encouragement of others to continue their education throughout their careers.

These hard working students were selected from a pool of many worthy candidates to receive their respective scholarships. The Elk County Community Foundation has awarded 78 scholarships totaling over $62,725 to deserving students this spring. These four scholarships are the only ones that are awarded to students already enrolled in an accredited program at a post-secondary educational institution. All others are awarded to seniors graduating from local high schools. The Elk County Community Foundation is looking to expand their scholarship offerings to include more of these students already in college. If you are interested in establishing a named scholarship fund to support these students, contact the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) at 834-2125.