Nearly $40,000 in scholarships, grants and awards are available to McKeesport Area High School seniors again this year, thanks to the generosity of McKeesport High alumni, their family members and friends and/or members of the McKeesport community.

The McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association, which administers the program, noted that letters detailing the scholarships have gone out to parents of members of the Class of 2008. Flyers listing the awards are distributed to every senior in January as well. Deadline for most is Monday, March 31.

“These grants have been underwritten by proud McKeesport alumni  and other supporters who want to extend a helping hand to today’s students as they contemplate that next, important step in their educational careers,” said Linda L. Croushore, Ed.D., president of alumni association. “We want to stress that they are open to all seniors intent on pursuing post-secondary education, whether they are college-bound or headed to career or technical schools, business school, art school or culinary institute.”

The alumni association, which has been aggressively seeking funds for this program, noted that two new grants are available this year:

• The Bernard & Doris Masser Smith Award, in the amount of $500, is a one-time grant that will go to a senior planning to pursue a nursing career. It is being offered by family members, in honor of Bernard (MHS Class of 1946) and Doris Masser Smith (MHS 1948).

• A $500 award from the Garden Club of McKeesport, located in Renziehausen Park.

Additionally, the funders for the Justin R. Misura Award have increased the number and amount of the grants they are giving, so that now two awards of $1,000 each are available to students planning to study culinary arts.

For a flyer listing all scholarships, click here.

Applications can be picked up in the high school guidance office and in the library or can be printed by clicking on the name of the scholarship you are interested in.

Bakalis

Fallquist

Keller

Masser-Smith

Misura

Rupe

Shaw

Tomko