The McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association has announced winners of the 2008 scholarships and grants available to McKeesport Area High School seniors through the generosity of Tiger alumni, their family members and friends, and/or supporters in the McKeesport community.

The awards, totaling $44,700 this year, either have been established through or are administered by the alumni association, in partnership with the underwriters and/or high school staff members. 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 other 2008 recipients are as follows:

Alycia Washington, Julie Andrekanic and Jennifer Troutman winners of the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000 each – Established in 2001 by Arthur N. Rupe, a member of the McKeesport High School Class of 1935. Alycia, will continue her education at Duquesne University, Julie, is headed to St. Vincent College, and Jennifer is going to Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Julie Andrekanic and Jennifer Troutman, winners of Walter C. Shaw Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500 each – Established in memory of one of the founders of the G. C. Murphy Co. by his daughter, Elizabeth Shaw Gamble, a 1937 McKeesport graduate. Julie is going to St. Vincent College and Jennifer, to Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Crystal Sherlock, winner of the Marlene Keller Farkas Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 – Established in 2001 by family members to honor the memory of Marlene Keller Farkas, a 1941 graduate of McKeesport High School. Crystal will be attending St. Vincent College.

Crystal Sherlock and Alicia Brentley, winners of the Mary V. Tomko Scholarship – Established in 1999 by Chris Casciato, a 1976 MHS graduate and member of the McKeesport High School Hall of Fame, in his grandmother’s honor. Crystal received $4,000 and is going to St. Vincent College. Alicia received $2,000 and is headed to Community College of Allegheny County.

Carly Pavlecic and Daniel Luketic Jr., winners of the Nick Bakalis Memorial Award – Established in 2002 in memory of Nick Bakalis, MHS Class of 1949, by his daughter, Melissa Bakalis Milbank, MHS Class of 1975, and his wife, Eleanor Frum, MHS Class of 1951. Carly will attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and Daniel will pursue studies at the Oakbridge Academy of Arts.  Each received $1,000. Another $500 is awarded to David Donahoe, a 2007 graduate attending Slippery Rock University.

Matthew Hartig, James Eckels Jr., Derek Price and Kevin Price,winners of the Albert (Abby) T. Fallquist Memorial Scholarship Fund, in the amount of $1,000 each – Established in 2002 in memory of Albert (Abby) T. Fallquist, longtime chemistry teacher and varsity baseball coach at McKeesport High School. Their chosen schools are: Hartig, Bethany College; Eckels, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; D. Price and K. Price, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. In addition to the above, the Fallquist fund, drawn from Mr. Fallquist’s estate, provides continuing support to previous winners throughout their college careers. Presently, 10 graduates are receiving renewal grants.

Austin Davis, winner of the Dr. Matthew R. Hadley Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of  $1,300 – Established to honor Dr. Matthew R. Hadley, who played a major role in the McKeesport-area medical community and was well-known in the Mon-Yough area for his dedication to his profession and his patients. Austin plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg Campus.

Chelsea Dalton, winner of the Bernard and Doris Masser Smith Award, in the amount of $500 – a one-time grant for a senior planning to pursue a career in nursing. Offered in 2008 by family members in honor of Bernard (MHS Class of 1946) and Doris Masser Smith (MHS 1948). Chelsea plans to attend Duquesne University.

Bryce Patterson, winner of the Sam Liberatore Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $300 – Established in 2002 in memory of Sam Liberatore, a member of the MHS Class of 1963. The award is made annually to a senior member of the Tiger baseball team.  Bryce will be attending Bethany College.

Distinguished Honors

First row from left are Julie Andrekanic, Jennifer Troutman, Crystal Sherlock, Alycia Washington, Alicia Brentley, Carly Pavlecic, Daniel Luketic Jr., Bryce Patterson, James Eckles Jr., Derek Price, Kevin Price, Samantha Mitchell, and Kelly Bascovsky. Pictured in the second from from left are Danielle Winters, Jillian Rushnock, Christoper Harrison, Chelsea Dalton, Adam James, Matthew Hartig, Eric Hampton, Ryan Baldwin, and Austin Davis. Missing from the photo are Tyler Brown, Devon Alexander and Robert Crenshaw Jr.

James Eckels Jr., Chelsea Dalton, Adam James, and Tyler Brown, winners of the Antoncic Family Scholarship, in the amount of $250 each – Established by McKeesport physician Dr. Rudolph A. Antoncic, Jr., a member of the MHS Class of 1961, in memory of former McKeesport Area School District teachers and coaches — Richard J. Gergely, William “Billy” Isbir and Glenn “Dutch” Shample — and of longtime athletic trainer Raymond Souders. James is headed to Clarion, Chelsea to Duquesne, Adam to Florida Gulf Coast University, and Tyler to Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Ryan Baldwin and Robert Crenshaw Jr., winners of the Justin R. Misura Memorial Award, in the amount of $1,000 each - Established in 2004 in memory of Justin R. Misura, a 2001 graduate, by his family and friends; offered annually to graduates planning to enroll in an accredited culinary arts program. Ryan will attend The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Robert will head to Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Kelly Bascovsky, winner of the Richard and Robert Fetters Memorial Gift, in the amount of $400 – Established in 1997 by Beryle Fetters Nathan in memory of her brothers, Robert Fetters, MHS Class of 1935, and Richard Fetters, MHS Class of 1941. This award is given annually to a senior selected by the high school administration on the basis of merit and need. Kelly plans to continue her education at the Western School of Health and Business Careers.

Danielle Winters and Jillian Rushnock winners of the Yecies Family Awards, in the amount of $750 each, for students who excel in swimming or history – Established by Richard Yecies, a member of the McKeesport High School Class of 1965, in memory, respectively, of his brother, Robert S. Yecies, MHS Class of 1961, and his father, William H. Yecies. Danielle won the award for history and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and Jillian won the award for swimming and is headed to Ohio State University.  Another $500 award will go to Christopher Harrison, senior football manager, for his post-secondary studies.

New Scholarship Blooms
The Garden Club of McKeesport awarded its first ever scholarship to a deserving senior. Pictured at left is Jane Miller of the Garden Club and recipient Samantha Mitchell.
Samantha Mitchell, winner of the first-ever Garden Club of McKeesport award in the amount of $500 - Established by the club, a volunteer organization located in Renziehausen Park that is interested in giving back to the community. Samantha plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh.

Devon Alexander, winner of the $500 award from the Neenie Campbell Memorial Fund - Established to honor the longtime McKeesport High basketball coach, C.P. “Neenie” Campbell. Devon plans to attend Point Park University. Another $500 from this fund goes to the varsity basketball program for items not included in the school district budget (summer tournament fees or a special piece of equipment, for example).

Earlier this year, the Kathy McCall Sportsmanship Award, in the amount of $500, went to Eric Hampton. This award was established by family members and friends of the late Kathy McCall, a member of the McKeesport Area High School Class of 1972, to recognize the accomplishments, on the field and off, of outstanding McKeesport student athletes. Eric was a member of the varsity football team and will be attending West Virginia Wesleyan.

“The alumni association continues to aggressively seek funds for the scholarship program. It has become an exciting and ever-expanding effort,” Dr. Linda L. Croushore, founder and president of the alumni association said, adding, “Our Tiger alumni are eager to give back to the place that ‘grew them’....Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”