More than $40,000 in scholarships, grants and awards is available to McKeesport Area High School seniors again this year, thanks to the generosity of McKeesport High alumni, their family members and friends, and other supporters in the McKeesport community.
 
The McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association, in announcing the current opportunities, noted that letters detailing the scholarship program have gone out to parents of members of the Class of 2010. Flyers listing the scholarships and grants will be distributed in January to every senior as well.
 
 “These scholarships and awards have been underwritten by proud McKeesport alumni and others 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 the alumni and friends 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 association has been aggressively seeking funds for this program and is proud to note that there are five additional awards available for 2010. Deadline to apply for most is Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Applications can be found in the high school guidance office and library and by clicking on the links below.
 
The McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association, now in its 23rd year of operation, is an ongoing initiative of The Consortium for Public Education, located at 410 Ninth Street in downtown McKeesport (412-678-9215 or mhsalumni@tcfpe.org).

Walter C. Shaw  Memorial Scholarship –Given annually to a graduate going on to a college or university; number and amount of award(s) vary but usually are in the $800-$1,000 range. Preference given to those pursuing a
career in the medical field. (Established in 2004 by
Elizabeth Shaw Gamble, a 1937 graduate of McKeesport High School, in memory of her father, Walter Carlyle Shaw.)

Justin R. Misura Memorial Award –Two (2) awards of $1,000 annually to students planning to enroll in an accredited culinary arts program. (Established in 2004 in memory of Justin R. Misura, a 2001 graduate, by his family and friends.)

The Marlene Keller Farkas Memorial Scholarship –One (1) $1,000 award, given annually to a student going on to a college, university or technical school. (Established in 2001 by family members in memory of Marlene Keller Farkas, a 1941 graduate of McKeesport High School.)

Ricard & Robert Fetters Memorial Gift
One (1) $400 award given annually to a senior selected on the basis of merit and need. (Established in 1997 by Beryle Fetters Nathan in memory of her brothers, Robert and Richard Fetters, of the McKeesport High School Classes of 1935 and 1941, respectively).

The Arthur N. Rupe Foundation Scholarships —Three (3) awards of $1,000 (or more), given annually to students planning to further their education at a college, university or technical school. (Established in 2001 by Arthur N. Rupe, a 1935 MHS graduate and MHS Hall of Fame member. )

The Dr. Matthew R. Hadley Memorial Award —Award averages $800; number of awards varies. Open to seniors who plan to enroll in a four-year, full-time program at an accredited college or university. (Given in memory of the physician who served both the McKeesport community and McKeesport Hospital for more than five decades.)

The Antoncic Family Scholarships — Four (4) awards of $250 each; winners selected by the high school administration on basis of merit and need. (Established by McKeesport physician Rudolph A. Antoncic, Jr., a 1961 MHS graduate and member of the Hall of Fame, in honor of former McKeesport Area School District employees.)

The Mary Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani Foundation Scholarship — One (1) award, amount varies, given to a
student planning to pursue a career in nursing
at a college or university. (Established in 2008 by Mary
Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani, a 1977 graduate of McKeesport
High School and member of the Hall of Fame.)

Gerald Grayson Scholarship — One (1) $500 award, given annualy to a senior member of the girls' varsity basketball team. (Established in 2009 by Carla Coleman, a 1990 MHS graduate and standout Tiger girls' varsity basketball player, in honor of her former coach, Gerald Grayson.)

The Mary V. Tomko Scholarship — Awards average $4,000; number varies. Open to college-bound seniors. See counselor for application deadline. (Established in 1999 by Chris Casciato, a 1976 MHS graduate and MHS Hall of Fame member, in his grandmother’s honor.)

The Nick Bakalis Memorial Award  — Two (2) awards of $1,000 each annually to students planning to attend a college, university, business or technical school. Preference given to those pursuing a career in business
and/or accounting. (Established in 2002 in memory of
Nick Bakalis, a 1949 MHS graduate, by his daughter, Melissa Bakalis Milbank, MHS Class of 1975, and his wife, Eleanor Frum Bakalis, MHS Class of 1951.)

The Albert (Abby) T. Fallquist Memorial Scholarship Fund — Number and amount of awards vary. Eligibility
limited varsity baseball players who plan to continue
their education at a college, university or technical
school. Winners may re-apply for additional
support in subsequent years.(Established in 2002 in
memory of Albert (Abby) T. Fallquist, longtime chemistry
teacher and baseball coach at McKeesport High School.)

The Sam Liberatore Memorial Scholarship Fund — One (1) award of $300, made annually to a senior on the Tiger baseball team. (Established in 2002 in memory of Sam Liberatore, a 1963 MHS graduate.)

The Neenie Campbell Memorial Fund — Established in honor of the longtime MHS basketball coach, C. P. (Neenie) Campbell, to assist varsity basketball players and support the program. Committee selects winner;
amount varies.

In the case of the Fetters, Antoncic, Liberatore, Tomko, Campbell, Garden Club and Guarascio awards, selection is made by the persons indicated in the listing; no applications are necessary. Applications for all of the other opportunities are available at the high school in the guidance offices or library.

The Kathy McCall Sportsmanship Award — Established by family members and friends of the late Kathy McCall, a member of the McKeesport Area High School Class of 1972, already has been awarded. The winner of the $500 award was Parris Perdue, a member of the  varsity football team.

New Awards This Year!
The Bechtol Family Scholarship provides one $500 award for. a student who plans to pursue a teaching career. Whether as public servants, volunteers or dedicated elementary school teachers, members of the Bechtol family represent over 100 years of community service to the City of McKeesport and to the McKeesport Area School District.

The Garden Club of McKeesport Scholarship in the amount of $600 returns this year after a one-year hiatus. Notify your counselor if you wish to be considered.

The Zon Fleckenstein Memorial Scholarship — Established in memory of Zon Fleckenstein, a 2005 McKeesport Area High School graduate, by his parents Jim (MHS 1972) and Lisa Roka Fleckenstein (MHS 1977) and brother Zar Fleckenstein (MHS 2007). Two $500 awards will be made from this fund.

The Vern G. Sharbaugh Scholarship — Established by family members to honor Vern G. Sharbaugh, provides $500 for a varsity football player who exemplifies excellent character, dedication and leadership on and off the field.

The Lou Guarascio Memorial Award — Established in memory of Lou Gaurascio, provides $250 for a member of the marching band who plans to go on to post-secondary education. Mr. Guarascio was a teacher and a 1949 MHS graduate.