Greater Pike awards over $30,000 in scholarship aid

MILFORD, PA – Greater Pike Community Foundation recently presented scholarship awards totaling $33,800 to Delaware Valley and Wallenpaupack Area High School seniors who are planning to pursue a variety of academic interests in college this fall. The awards included $9,200 in multi-year renewals to past recipients.

The awards, benefitting 12 students, are from funds administered by Greater Pike.

“The Foundation appreciates the generous donors who support these scholarships,” said Ann Morey, Greater Pike Scholarship Committee Chair.

Madeline Mallon was awarded 3 scholarships for her intended pursuit of a degree in Fine Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She received the Amanda Nicole Thoenig Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to students planning to pursue a degree in visual arts. She also received the Ann Intili Morey Art Scholarship for demonstrating academic excellence, with a 4.1 GPA, financial need and plans for a future in the field of art or related career.

This is the first year that Greater Pike distributed awards from the Randy Auman Memorial Scholarship, which supports students pursuing an arts education. Madeline Mallon received this scholarship, as did 2021 DV graduate Ava Nienstadt. Ava also received a renewal for the Ann Intili Morey Art Scholarship.

Daniella Cuccio was awarded the Art Ridley Spirit of Kindness Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who embodies a spirit of giving in their community and has exhibited acts of kindness to those in need. A past school administrator noted how Daniella, at age 11, had made a point of befriending the autistic community . Her compassion and kindness are core to her personality, the recommendation stated. She plans to build on this by pursuing a degree in Nursing at University of Tampa in the fall.

Three students were presented the Kyle James Pascoe Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students who have a history of community involvement, spirit of giving, and who have demonstrated excellence in football, track or academics. Kyle’s mother, Sharon Marks, presented this year’s awards to Nicole Krasicki (Desales University), Gabriel Tidridge (Drexel University), and Nathan Melnick (undecided).

Hugo Huerta-Alcaide received The Reggie Cheong-Leen & Peter Spielhagen Scholarship, a scholarship that provides up to $20,000 in multi-year support for higher education costs of graduates who are first-generation children of immigrants and demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. He plans to attend Penn State, University Park, with a major in pharmacology.

“I can focus more on studying, since I assume classes will get more challenging, and not worry about getting more work hours,” Huerta-Alcaide said. “My parents have always helped me out and were again going to help me in college since I am the first one in my family. However, hearing the news that I would get financial help took some weight off their shoulders.”

Hugo’s parents immigrated from Mexico to the US in 2003. He is the oldest of four siblings and the first to attend college. He enjoys sports, cooking and reading and has been involved with National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and volunteer activities.

Additionally, last year’s Reggie Cheong-Leen & Peter Spielhagen Scholarship recipient Yoshi Sumitomo will receive his annual renewal.

The Sydney Fluck “Syd’s Kids” Scholarship is awarded to a student that has demonstrated financial need and who has been accepted to a school of higher learning. This selection is made by the Delaware Valley School and is awarded to Chelsea Rude for her use at University of Delaware this fall, where she will pursue a degree in Exercise Science, with a goal of becoming an Exercise Physiologist. Chelsea is a member of National Honor Society, worked at a local grocery store, and volunteered with United Way and doing roadside cleanups.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce presented Daisey Carney of Delaware Valley HS, who plans to attend Rutgers University in the Fall, and Lucas MacDonough of Wallenpaupack Area HS, each with the Memorial Gouse Krawitz Scholarship for a senior who excels in academics, citizenship, sports, and community service.

Wallenpaupack Area High School Senior Kori Carl, who will be studying Digital Arts at Drexel University and hopes to become a Creative Director in 10 years, was awarded the Randy Auman Memorial Scholarship and the Amanda Nicole Thoenig Memorial Scholarship, both awarded to students planning to pursue a degree in the field of arts.

Online donations to these Scholarship Funds can be made at https://greaterpike.org/fund_list/ Scroll down to the fund name for the link to the Scholarship of your choosing.

Greater Pike helps individuals, families, and local businesses to provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the community. For more information contact Jenni Hamill, Executive Director, at (570) 832-4686, jennihamill@greaterpike.org, or visit www.greaterpike.org and Facebook.com/GreaterPike