More than $50,000 in financial aid in the form of grants and awards is available to McKeesport Area High School seniors again this year through the scholarship program administered by the McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association.

Association officials said letters detailing the opportunities available have gone out to parents of members of the Class of 2012 and flyers with the information will be distributed to every senior in early January as well.

Since the early 1990s, when the association first began coordinating scholarship efforts, some $393,000 has been awarded to McKeesport seniors. Last year alone, more than $60,000 was distributed (amounts vary from year to year based on interest earnings).

“These awards have been underwritten by proud McKeesport alumni, their family members and friends and others who want to support today’s students as they embark on the next step in their educational careers,” said Linda L. Croushore, Ed.D., association president. “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.”

Awards will be made from 22 separate funds this year. Deadline to apply for most is Friday, March 30, 2012. Some do not require applications but do require students to notify counselors of their interest.

Kenneth and Evelyn Frew Scholarship Fund provides a maximum of two awards of $5,000 each to be given annually to seniors intent on furthering their education at a college, university, business or technical school. Preference will be given to those pursuing a career in engineering. It was established in 2010 in memory of Kenneth Duane Frew (McKeesport High Schools Class of 1943) and his wife, Evelyn Jane Henderson Frew (MHS Class of 1944).

Rick Keller Memorial Award provides a $1,000 grant for a student interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare professions. It was established in 2010 by family members in memory of Rick Keller, a 1971 graduate of McKeesport High School.

Walter C. Shaw  Memorial Scholarship – One (1) $1,000 award, given annually to a student going on to a college or university. 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.)

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 Mary V. Tomko Scholarship — Awards total at least $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.) See counselor for application.

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.

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.

Dr. Matthew R. Hadley Memorial Award —Award averages $1,000. 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.)

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.)

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.)

The following do not require a formal application. Notify your guidance counselor if you wish to be considered.

All-Alumni Scholarship provides a $250 grant from funds contributed by members and supporters of the McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association.

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.)

Yecies Family Awards — Two (2) $500 awards, one for a student with an interest in history and the other for a swim team member. Established by Richard S. Yecies (MHS 1961) and his father, William H. Yecies.

Garden Club of McKeesport Scholarship in the amount of $500 returns this year.

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.)

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.

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.

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.