WILLIAMSPORT – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) today awarded scholarships to two students who took part in his Annual Student Government Seminar at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport.
“It gives me great pleasure to award, not one, but two scholarships this year,” Yaw told the crowd of more than 300 students, advisors, elected officials and other attendees. “This year, both winners hail from Bradford County schools.”
The Peggy Madigan Memorial Leadership Scholarships, named in memory of the late wife of former state Senator Roger A. Madigan – were presented to high school seniors Caleb J. Maenza of North Rome Christian School and Jessica M. Stevens of Athens Area High School. Both students plan to enroll as full-time students at Penn College.
Maenza will enroll in the pre-occupational therapy major this fall. His community activities include volunteering at ElderWood Health Care, at Helping Up Mission’s soup kitchen in Baltimore, at Drink at the Well Inc.’s program in Baltimore (cleaning inner-city streets) and at a Salvation Army soup kitchen. He also helped to build a new path for disabled hikers at Spruce Lake Retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Maenza’s school organizations and extracurricular activities include: volunteer tutor with the kindergarten class, Student Council (Vice President), drama/theater, photography, art, soccer and volleyball.
Stevens will enroll in the forest technology major this fall. Through her involvement with the National Honor Society at Athens Area High School, she has performed community service in a variety of capacities including area Adopt-a-Highway cleanup efforts, Special Olympics events, food drives and Salvation Army activities. Through FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) she has participated in a number of activities for those in need. She supplements her community-service efforts with two area volunteer fire companies – Smithfield Township Volunteer Fire Department and Ridgebury Volunteer Fire Co. – that have hosted benefit events in the region. Stevens’ extracurricular activities include Student Council and Future Business Leaders of America.
The scholarship, open to high school seniors from Yaw’s Senate district who attend his annual seminar, may be used to help defray the costs of tuition, fees, books, tools and other required supplies. Applicants are required to write an essay describing the community service they have performed and the value that service has added to the community.
CONTACT:
Rita Zielonis
717-787-3280