ECCF awards scholarships to Class of 2023
The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, acknowledged the accomplishments of the Class of 2023 by awarding 178 scholarships totaling over $297,000 to students in Elk and surrounding counties. Thanks to the generous donations from individuals, families, and organizations, 119 scholarship funds are currently administered at ECCF to benefit local students.
The recipients of these scholarships are graduating seniors from the surrounding areas. Out of the 172 scholarships; 35 scholarships went to seniors from Elk County Catholic HS, 52 to seniors from St. Marys Area High School, 43 to seniors from Johnsonburg Area High School, and 30 to seniors from Ridgway Area High School. Also, 14 additional scholarships were awarded to students who are already in attendance at a post-secondary institution, and 4 were awarded to rising freshman attending ECCHS in the fall. There were 17 awards given to students from surrounding schools. Seven new scholarship funds were established and awarded in 2023.
By providing scholarship assistance, we can enable greater success in college, providing backing for deserving students who want to graduate with their degree and give back to society. Donors who have established these scholarships are contributing to our future leaders. The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to those who have seen the need and believe in the youth of today. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125 or read more about the foundation on their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.
Elk County Scholarships were awarded to these individuals:
Jordan Adams Memorial Award
Allison Geci (ECCHS – $500)
Gloria V. Anderson Scholarship
Abigail Pociask (SMAHS – $1000)
David F. Auman Memorial Scholarship
Tessa Fledderman (ECCHS – $500)
St. Benedict’s Scholarship
Adam Straub (ECCHS – $500)
Edna Geitner Bennett Memorial Scholarship
Josephine Lawrie (ECCHS – $1475)
Angie Bertolasio Memorial Scholarship
Vincent Lenze (SMAHS – $1000)
Helene Bowley Memorial Scholarship
Rylie Belsole (ECCHS – $1035)
Madison Bierley (ECCHS – $1035)
David Constable (RAHS – $646)
Rosa DePrater (SMAHS – $1725)
Sophia Gerg (ECCHS – $1035)
Vernon Handley (RAHS – $646)
Joli Herzog (RAHS – $646)
Michael Jacobs (ECCHS – $1035)
Julia Jones (JAHS – $1035)
Abby King (JAHS – $1035)
Vincent Lenze (SMAHS – $1725)
Hannah Miller (RAHS – $646)
Emma Myers (JAHS – $1035)
Erik Panebianco (RAHS – $646)
Emily Peluso (JAHS – $1035)
Julia Pruett (RAHS – $646)
Sarah Reedy (ECCHS – $1035)
Kayla Reynolds (RAHS – $646)
Kaleb Santiso (RAHS – $646)
Annasophia Stauffer (JAHS – $1035)
Matthew Wehler (SMAHS – $1725)
Eugene M. & Naomi S. Brady Memorial Family Scholarship
Abby Haight (JAHS – $2140)
Ella Lindberg (JAHS – $2140)
Andi Parana (COLLEGE– $2140)
Autumn Sorg (JAHS – $2140)
Ella Stauffer (COLLEGE – $2140)
Vincent & Mary Ann Brunelli Memorial Scholarship
Isabella Catalone (SMAHS – $500)
Melinda Watkavitch (SMAHS – $500)
Gilbert “Gibby” Buerk Memorial Scholarship
Rylie Belsole (ECCHS – $500)
Olivia Eckels (SMAHS – $500)
Isabella Field (SMAHS – $500)
William R. Buhite Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Erik Panebianco (RAHS – $500)
Paul Robert & Frieda Roberta Calkins-Rolfe Scholarship
Aiden Zimmerman (JAHS – $4000)
Michele A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Kristen Kirst (COLLEGE – $2300)
Caribardi Family Scholarship
Hannah Williams (JAHS – $1225)
Evelyn Kosco Chase Scholarship
Hannah Kemmer (COLLEGE – $500)
Adam Cherry Memorial Scholarship
Abigail Pociask (SMAHS – $500)
Donald Cicuzza Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Kole Asti (JAHS – $600)
Frank Clark Memorial Scholarship
Erik Panebianco (RAHS – $900)
Thomas C. Detwiler Scholarship
Aiden Zimmerman (JAHS – $1000)
Arlan J. & Dale Horwitz Clayton Engineering Scholarship
Jayce Lechien (JAHS – $2000)
William & Veronica Conrad Scholarship
Owen Smith (SMAHS – $650)
Christian Cordero Memorial Scholarship
Franco Williams (SMCMS – $500)
Lori De’Angelo Memorial Scholarship
Abigail Pociask (SMAHS – $1000)
David L. Delullo Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Lilia Lion (COLLEGE – $1000)
Elk Diabetes Nursing Scholarship
Isabella Field (SMAHS – $600)
Abagail V. Dobson Memorial Scholarship
Lauren Rakieski (SMAHS – $500)
Elk County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Emily Peluso (JAHS – $675)
Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship
Italia Cicione (ECCHS – $500)
Mary I. Filano Memorial Scholarship
Elijah Rippey (SMAHS – $800)
Gloria Finno Scholarship
Autumn Sorg (JAHS – $700)
Lillian Finno Scholarship
Emma Bienkowski (JAHS – $700)
Fitch Family Scholarship
Aaron Myers (JAHS – $575)
T.O. Fitch Memorial Scholarship
Aaron Weinkauf (COLLEGE – $500)
Christopher Forster Memorial Scholarship
Kylee Kline (SMAHS – $1000)
Donald E. Frank Memorial Scholarship
Autumn Sorg (JAHS – $525)
Joseph & Delores Frey Scholarship
Andrea Gradl (ECCHS – $575)
Golumbic Art Scholarship
Tiaura Walden (SMAHS – $2100)
Grandinetti Educational Scholarship
Alexia Hoffman (RAHS – $500)
Hasselman/Hopton Memorial Scholarship
Matthew Blythe (SMAHS – $1350)
Seth T. Hockman Memorial Scholarship
Madalynn Troha (ECCHS – $950)
Gilbert & Dorothy Hoehn Memorial Scholarship
Gabrielle Weisner (ECCHS – $2000)
Bev Hogan Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Olivia Smith (SMAHS – $725)
Johnsonburg Alumni & Friends Scholarship
Justin Barnett (JAHS – $500)
Emma Bienkowski (JAHS – $500)
Marcus Crowe (JAHS – $500)
Aaron Myers (JAHS – $500)
Emma Myers (JAHS – $500)
Johnsonburg American Legion Post #501 Scholarship
Marcus Crowe (JAHS – $1000)
Johnsonburg Class of 1964 Scholarship
Aaron Myers (JAHS – $700)
Johnsonburg Rotary Alva K. Gregory Memorial Scholarship
Nicklous Cherry (ECCHS – $1000)
Hannah Williams (JAHS – $1000)
Jones Family Fund Scholarship
Julia Pruett (RAHS – $4000)
Kaleb Santiso (RAHS – $4000)
James “Wes” Jones Memorial Scholarship
Kole Asti (JAHS – $500)
Howard M. Keebler Memorial Scholarship
Andrea Gradl (ECCHS – $500)
Logan Mosier (SMAHS – $500)
Jack Kestler Memorial Scholarship
Justin Barnett (JAHS – $875)
Kathryn Kilhoffer-Walsh Nursing Scholarship
Kayla Reynolds (RAHS – $750)
Raymond W. Jr.& Elsie M. Klaiber Scholarship
Franco Williams (SMCMS – $10,000)
Gloria Jean McAllister Kneidel & Patrick Charles Jessup Scholarship
Caitlin Blessel (SMAHS – $250)
Madison Marzullo (ECCHS – $250)
Anna Micale (ECCHS – $250)
Elijah Rippey (SMAHS – $250)
Dr. Sandra Calkins Kowalski Nursing Scholarship
Hannah Williams (JAHS – $1000)
Leroy C. Krise Memorial Scholarship
Ethan Schlimm (SMAHS – $1000)
David Larkin Memorial Scholarship
Lauren Rakieski (SMAHS – $500)
Annasophia Stauffer (JAHS – $500)
Josie VanAlstine (ECCHS – $500)
Josh Launer Memorial Scholarship
Alesha Shirey (RAHS – $750)
Virginia Leahy Memorial Scholarship
Rhianna Cherry (RAHS – $475)
Wayne Leahy Memorial Scholarship
Emily Peluso (JAHS – $550)
Herbert B. Lenze Boys Basketball Scholarship
Jack Benninger (RAHS – $4000)
Herbert B. Lenze Marching Band Scholarship
Kyle Baker (RAHS – $4000)
Kathy Lepovetsky Memorial Scholarship
Danielle Rolley (SMAHS – $500)
Eilla Sesnior (SMAHS – $500)
Kendall Young (SMAHS – $500)
Lisa Lepovetsky Memorial Scholarship
Abigail Pociask (SMAHS – $500)
Matthew Wehler (SMAHS – $500)
Emma Linette & Richard Martin McClain Memorial Scholarship
Alesha Shirey (RAHS – $5000)
Lions Club of St. Marys Scholarship
Ellie Baron (ECCHS – $750)
Olivia Eckels (SMAHS – $750)
Hailey Matheson Memorial Scholarship
Italia Cicione (ECCHS – $500)
Ella McElhany & Maude B. Schimmelfeng Memorial Scholarship
Mary Cerroni (COLLEGE – $950)
Joli Herzog (RAHS – $950)
Josephine Lawrie (ECCHS – $950)
Anthony Messineio (ECCHS – $950)
Edward Messineo (COLLEGE – $950)
Hannah Miller (RAHS – $950)
Joseph Tettis (ECCHS – $950)
Alayna Vigilione (RAHS – $950)
McGrady Family Fund Scholarship
Lydia Anderson (ECCHS – $1250)
Kylee Kline (SMAHS – $1250)
Aaron Myers (JAHS – $1250)
Catherine Moran Memorial Scholarship
Emma Bienkowksi (JAHS – $2277)
Megan Bienkowski (COLLEGE – $3000)
Jefferson Freeburg (COLLEGE – $3000)
Kaelynne Hoffman (JAHS – $2277)
Aaron Myers (JAHS – $2277)
Shana Polaski (COLLEGE – $3000)
Lynn Nicklas Music Scholarship
Abigail Pociask (SMAHS – $2000)
William G. Peters Memorial Scholarship
Caitlin Blessel (SMAHS – $1000)
Killian Ramsey (SMAHS – $2000)
Matthew Wehler (SMAHS – $2000)
Patty Pfoutz Scholarship
Sage Lynch (SMCMS – $800)
Christian Schmidt (SMCMS – $800)
Doug Price Memorial Scholarship
Logan Mosier (SMAHS – $500)
Rams Gridiron Football Scholarship
Marcus Crowe (JAHS – $500)
Ruth E. Reed Nursing Scholarship
Kendall Young (SMAHS – $625)
Jacqueline M. Renaud National Honor Society Memorial Scholarship
Alec DeVallance (RAHS – $1175)
Ridgway Area High School Alumni Scholarship
Julia Pruett (RAHS – $700)
Ridgway Rotary Scholarship
Kyle Baker (RAHS – $500)
Rolfe Sportsmen Club Scholarship
Rylie Halquist (JAHS – $1800)
Judge Vernon “Buddy” Roof Memorial Scholarship
Julia Pruett (RAHS – $1000)
William & Arlene Rothrock Memorial Scholarship
Jacquelyn Schatz (COLLEGE – $500)
Dean Schrecengost Memorial Scholarship
Elias Nedimyer (SMAHS – $1000)
Taylor Schutz Lady Dutch Basketball Scholarship
Isabella Catalone (SMAHS – $500)
Olivia Eckels (SMAHS – $250)
Martha C. Selle Memorial Scholarship
Lauren Rakieski (SMAHS – $8000)
SGL, LLC Scholarship
Brandi Jo Casper (ECCHS – $500)
Charles Coudriet (SMAHS – $500)
Allison Geci (ECCHS – $500)
Owen Smith (SMAHS – $500)
Dr. Les A. & Donna V. Shull Education Scholarship
Kyle Baker (RAHS – $500)
Nicholas J. Sinibaldi Music Scholarship
Elias Nedimyer (SMAHS – $960)
Matthew Wehler (SMAHS – $960)
Michele M. Spence Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Kayla Reynolds (RAHS – $1000)
R. Dauer Stackpole Scholarship
Alec DeVallance (RAHS – $4000)
St. Marys American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship
Andrea Gradl (ECCHS – $500)
St. Marys American Legion Post #103 Scholarship
Elias Nedimyer (SMAHS – $500)
St. Marys Jaycees Community Involvement Scholarship
Anna Micale (ECCHS – $825)
St. Marys Rotary Scholarship
Tessa Fledderman (ECCHS – $1500)
Mya Klaiber (SMAHS – $2000)
Sarah Reedy (ECCHS – $500)
St. Marys Sons of the American Legion Post #103 Scholarship
Olivia Eckels (SMAHS – $500)
Straub Brewery, Inc. Scholarship
Caitlin Blessel (SMAHS – $1000)
Isabella Catalone (SMAHS – $1000)
Madisyn Hetrick (ECCHS – $1000)
Rachel Sloff (ECCHS – $1000)
Dr. Maurus Sorg Memorial Scholarship
Kyle Baker (RAHS – $700)
Ellen Taylor Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Rosa DePrater (SMAHS – $500)
Laurence & Mary Thorwart Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Abby King (JAHS – $725)
John & Bette Wachob Scholarship
Hannah Williams (JAHS – $1000)
Patty Walters Memorial Scholarship
Brent Defranco (JAHS – $500)
Wapiti Roost National Wild Turkey Federation Scholarship
Emma Myers (JAHS – $500)
Wilcox American Legion Scholarship
Kendal Mehalko (JAHS – $675)
Gus & Helen Wolf Memorial Scholarship
Adam Straub (ECCHS – $1800)
Corporal Adam M. Wolfel Memorial Scholarship
Kole Asti (JAHS – $750)
Randy Yetzer Memorial Scholarship
Owen Smith (ECCHS – $500)
Madalynn Troha (ECCHS – $500)