Greater Pike fields eight scholarships for high school seniors

Greater Pike Community Foundation is spreading the word among area high school students about eight scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors. Students should ask their guidance counselors for application instructions, materials, and deadlines for the individual scholarships. Recipients are to be announced in June.

Two of the scholarships are earmarked for students involved in the visual arts, while three others are open to pupils who have shown exceptional school, sports, or community engagement.

“Investing in education is investing in the future of our community,” said Rick Little, Greater Pike’s executive director. “We are incredibly grateful to the generous donors who have established these scholarships, which help ease the financial burden for students pursuing higher education, while recognizing and rewarding their dedication, talent, and community spirit. By supporting these young people, we are fostering the next generation of leaders, artists, and professionals who will contribute to the vibrancy and growth of our region.”

Focusing on art and artists are the Amanda Nicole Thoenig Memorial Scholarship and the Ann Intili Morey Art Scholarship. The Thoenig award goes to students from Delaware Valley High School or Kittatinny Regional High School who plan to pursue a degree in the visual arts. The Morey fund likewise awards one or more annual scholarships to students pursuing a degree in art or related careers; seniors from DV, East Stroudsburg, Kittatinny, and Port Jervis school districts are eligible.

Three of the Greater Pike scholarships are focused on students with a history of civic activity. The Art Ridley Spirit of Kindness Memorial Scholarship goes to Delaware Valley students who embody a spirit of giving in their community and have exhibited acts of kindness to those in need. Also aimed at DV students is the Kyle James Pascoe Memorial Scholarship. Qualifying seniors will have a record of community involvement and a spirit of giving, along with demonstrable excellence in football, track, and/or academics. Similarly, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Memorial Gouse-Krawitz Scholarship is for graduating Pike County high school students (DV, Wallenpaupack, or East Stroudsburg) who show exceptional local volunteerism and community involvement.

The Sydney Fluck “Syd’s Kids” Scholarship goes to one Pike County high school senior with demonstrated financial need who has been accepted to a school of higher learning (including vocational).

New in 2025 are the Charlie & Allyson Gillinder Scholarship, which will award one scholarship annually to a DV, Port Jervis, or Kittatinny student planning to pursue a degree in engineering or physics, or a world-language teaching degree, and the Walt Edwards Ashenfelter Music Scholarship. The Ashenfelter award will grant one scholarship annually to a DV senior planning to pursue a degree in musical performance, composition, production, or education.

For more information about any of these scholarships, see greaterpike.org/scholarships or call 570-832-4686. High school guidance counselors will have the specifics on how to apply.

Online donations to any of the Greater Pike scholarship funds can be made at greaterpike.org/scholarships. Scroll down to the scholarship name for the link.

For more information about opening a fund or scholarship, or contributing to an existing fund, contact Rick Little at 570-832-4686 or ricklittle@greaterpike.org, or visit greaterpike.org.