Albion Alumni Foundation awards $136K in scholarships to Class of 2023

Provided photos: Olivia Krenning accepts her Hoag Engineering Scholarship from Alumni Foundation President Steve Hicks.

Posted 3 August 2023 at 9:50 am

Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation

ALBION – The Alumni High School Alumni Foundation awarded $136,500 in scholarships to Albion High School Class of 2023 graduates during their Class Night ceremony. These awards provide financial assistance to seniors as they continue to pursue their educational goals.

The Foundations’ scholarship committee chose recipients for 50 academic, vocational, service, leadership, arts and athletics scholarships. They poured over numerous applications and chose students that they felt best fit each scholarship’s criteria.

Several newly created scholarships were presented for the first time this year. They are:

The Betty West Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship was established in honor of Betty West, who taught 1st and 2nd grades in the Albion Primary School for 35 years, retiring in 1993. From childhood, her desire was always to become an educator. This scholarship is funded by both generous contributions and West family contributions and awarded to an Albion senior with the same passion for teaching.

Stewart New Scholarship – This scholarship was established in honor of Stuart New, who taught agriculture at Albion High School and served as the FFA supervisor. He encouraged and supported the education of students in our community who were interested in the Ag field. This scholarship, in turn, is in support of current students who have demonstrated a work ethic and goal related to an agricultural career in the local community. It is funded by Dr. Ronald and Suzanne Harling.

Dick Tower Scholarship – This scholarship was established in memory of Richard “Dick” Tower by his family and Preston’s Landscaping. Dick was a hard worker, starting as a laborer in a textile company and advancing through the ranks to a Production Supervisor. Dick helped to mentor and train many young people entering the workforce. After he retired he helped establish and worked for Preston’s Landscaping.

The Alumni Foundation’s scholarship program continues to grow and benefit more students each and every year. Scholarship funding is made possible through memberships and gifts from AHS Alumni and community members, as well as individuals and organizations that contact the Foundation to establish a scholarship. The Foundation manages the funds and awards the scholarships annually during Albion High School’s Class Night.

The Foundation would like to thank the generous donors that work with us to create and sustain these scholarships. Our donors are helping to make a difference for a lifetime for Albion graduates. Contact Steve Hicks at steve@albionalumni.org to learn how you can create a scholarship.

If you are interested in donating to any of the scholarships you can go to our donate button on the homepage of our website (albionalumni.org) or write to us:

Albion High School Alumni Foundation

P.O. Box 345

Albion, N.Y. 14411

Rebecca Wager presents the Ronald L. Sodoma Memorial Scholarship to Ulises Ledesma. This scholarship is in honor of her father who was ACS superintendent for 18 years.

Congratulations to all 2023 scholarship recipients!

Albion High School Alumni Foundation – Natalie Baron, Javon Jones
Paul R. Haines Memorial Scholarship – S’Koi Sanders Smith
St. Gobain Adfors Scholarship – Vincent Molisani
Elizabeth Balcom Smith – Brianna Sample
Golden Performance Scholarship – Hailey Crawford
Jim & Susie Fraser Health Careers Scholarship – Miranda Gebo
Dr. Lee N. Minier Science Scholarship – Clara Bolton
Albion Alumni Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship – Nicholas Andrews
Coach Richard Diminuco Scholarship for Athletic Excellence – Amari Jones
Harry W. Salchak Science Scholarship – Nick Harling
A.B. Dick Eddy Service Above Self Scholarship – Audrey Pask
Nancy Elaine Lagamba Scholarship – Clara Bolton
Dr. Paul Mahany Family Scholarships – Miranda Gebo, Samantha Hand, Daisy Reyes, Natalie Bertsch
Hoag Engineering Scholarships – Audrey Pask, Dallas Ecker, Olivia Krenning
Panek Family Farm Agriculture Scholarship – Sarah Basinait
Horton Scholarship – Audrey Pask
Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship – Audrey Pask, Hailey Crawford, Nicholas Andrews
Glassner Family Scholarship – Emilie Sitzer
John Panek Memorial Scholarship – Bryce Wilson
Ronald L. Sodoma Memorial Scholarship – Ulises Ledesma
Masonic Renovation Lodge #97 Scholarship – Dallas Ecker
Edward B. Archbald Memorial Scholarship – Amari Jones
Dr. David and Anita Long Scholarship – Christopher Sacco
D’Andrea Family Scholarship – Hailey Crawford
Brandon Bruski Memorial Scholarship – Hailey Crawford
Ralph and Pearl Poelma Good Neighbor Community Scholarship – Nicholas Andrews, Iris Reyes
Jake and Anna Vreeburg Scholarships – Natalie Bertsch, Vincent Molisani
Inge Hume Elementary Education Scholarship – Maya Knaak
Robert P. VanDeusen Memorial Scholarship – Maya Knaak
Moore Family Scholarship Fund – Corleone Plain
Sherman Awards – Nicholas Andrews, Clara Bolton
Benjamin Dennis Kirby Memorial Scholarship – Dylan Roath, Dallas Ecker, Ethan Merrill
Scott Whittier Memorial Scholarships – S’Koi Sanders Smith, Nick Harling
Country Lane Veterinary Scholarship – Natalie Bertsch
Babbitt Family Scholarship – Miranda Gebo
Matthew K. Gardner Memorial Scholarship – Dallas Ecker
Scott H. Ward Memorial Scholarship – Caleb Fox
Craig Anderson Scholarship – Nick Harling
Brennan Michael Carlyle Moody Scholarship – Audrey Pask, Nicholas Andrews
Jared M. Fearby Scholarship – Jillian Ray
Edward Fancher Memorial Scholarship – Nicholas Andrews
Gil and Christine Pritchard Vocational Scholarship – Vincent Molisani
Lamont Family Scholarship – Iris Reyes
Kelly Sidari Ricker Memorial Scholarship – Clara Bolton
Gwenyth Hughson Memorial Scholarship – Keyonna Hamilton
Nicholas Kovaleski Memorial Scholarship – Dallas Ecker
Hoag Skilled Trades Scholarship – Bryden McMurray, Caleb Fox
Betty West Memorial Scholarship – Nicholas Andrews
Stewart New Scholarship – Taylor Soule
Dick Tower Scholarship – Caleb Fox