Sandstone Society awards scholarship to Medina HS senior
Provided photo: Medina Sandstone Society members Rob Klino, Gabrielle Barone and Mary Zangerle join Medina High School John Ryan Scholarship winner Alissa Blount and Sandstone member Jim Hancock in front of the John Ryan Scholars Wall at Medina High School after Blount was presented with a John Ryan Scholarship for $1,000.
MEDINA – Alissa Blount, a Medina High School senior, is the recipient of the fourth annual John Ryan Scholarship, presented by the Medina Sandstone Society.
Sandstone Society members Jim Hancock, Gabrielle Barone, Mary Zangerle and Rob Klino presented the $1,000 award to Alissa last week at the high school. Alissa’s mom Shannon was also present, and like her daughter was very thrilled with the award.
Alissa plans to attend Daemon College to pursue a career in nursing.
“This $1,000 will definitely help,” said Alissa, who is also the daughter of Eric Blount.
To apply for the scholarship, students had to write an essay about the village of Medina, titled “Roots in the Past. Eyes on the Future.” Alissa indicated she learned so much about the village while doing her research.
“One of the purposes of the scholarship is to get young people to appreciate the history of the village in which they live,” said Hancock, head of the Sandstone’s Scholarship Committee.
The first John Ryan scholarship was awarded in 2015. The award is named for the Medina resident whose sandstone quarry was the first in Orleans County.
Students who receive a John Ryan scholarship have their name placed on the John Ryan Scholars Wall on the second floor of the high school and also have a special medallion attached to their diploma.
Hancock said the award is a joint effort between the Sandstone Society and the Medina High School History Department. He also said the late Robert Waters was the driving force behind establishment of the scholarship, which the late school superintendent Jeff Evoy supported wholeheartedly. Evoy was a member of the Sandstone Society’s board of directors.
The public is welcome to make a donation to the Medina Sandstone Society/John Ryan Scholarship by sending a check to Medina Sandstone Society or Sandstone Trust, P.O. Box 25, Medina, NY 14103.
