These awards either have been established through or are administered by the 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 newest grants – the Gerald Grayson Scholarship and the Mary Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani Scholarship – went to Lauren Fawcett and Chasity Joy Stroud, respectively. Lauren plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and Chasity will enroll at the Community College of Allegheny College, South Campus.

The $500 Grayson award honors former teacher and longtime coach Gerald Grayson, Class of 1967, who excelled on the football field as both a Little Tiger and as a McKeesport High varsity Tiger. It was established by Carla Coleman, a former Lady Tiger who played for Coach Grayson and who wanted to honor him for his dedication to McKeesport students. Over 13 seasons, Grayson’s Lady Tiger basketball teams captured five Section championships and made the WPIAL playoffs in 11 seasons.

Mary Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani, MHS Class of 1977, announced that she was establishing a $1,000 scholarship for a student who intends to pursue a degree in nursing at her induction into the McKeesport High School Hall of Fame in September of 2008. Cerepani is a respected nurse educator with extensive experience in emergency patient care.

The remainder of the 2009 recipients, all of whom are going to continue their education, are as follows:

Erik Duffy, Ian Moore and Cassandra McBride, winners of the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000 each. Arthur Rupe graduated from McKeesport High School in 1935 and was elected to the MHS Hall of Fame in 2002.

Nina Beech and Rachel Popovich, winners of Walter C. Shaw Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 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.

Nina Beech, 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.

Megan McFadden, Ian Moore and Cassandra McBride, 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. Megan received $4,000; Ian and Cassandra each received $1,000.

Eric Hanna, Michael Milko and Ian Moore, winners of the Albert T. Fallquist Memorial Scholarship Fund, in the amount of $1,000 each – Established in 2002 in memory of “Abby”  Fallquist, longtime chemistry teacher and varsity baseball coach at McKeesport High School. In addition to the above, the Fallquist fund provides continuing support to previous winners throughout their college careers. This year, 13 graduates will get $875 renewal grants.

Breanne Holmes, Jessi Miller and Dante DiBeradin, winners of the Nick Bakalis Memorial Awards – 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. Breanne and Jessi each received $1,000; Dante was awarded $500.

Megan McFadden, winner of the Dr. Matthew R. Hadley Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,368 – Established to honor Dr. Matthew R. Hadley, who played a major role in the McKeesport area medical community.

New Scholarships
Two new awards were added to the alumni association program this year and the first winners were Chasity Joy Stroud, second from left, and Lauren Fawcett, second from right. They are shown, left to right, with Mary Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani, sponsor of the Mary Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani Scholarship; alumni association president, Dr. Linda L. Croushore; and Gerald Grayson, for whom the Gerald Grayson Scholarship is named.

Eric Hanna, 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.

Cassandra McBride, Dante DiBeradin, Daniel Pudlowski and Christina Hann, 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,  coaches and support personnel. Dr. Antoncic has been a member of the MHS Hall of Fame since 2004.

Erik Duffy, Mitch Nielsen and Jessica Dandar, winners of the Yecies Family Awards – 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. Erik and Mitch will receive $750, and Jessica, $500.

Donald Schrott, Amanda Slivka and Mary Alma Wright, winners of the Justin R. Misura Memorial Awards, 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. These three students all plan to attend the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh.

Taylor Dowden, 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 Richard Fetters, MHS Class of 1941, and Robert Fetters, MHS Class of 1935. This award is given annually to a senior selected by the high school administration on the basis of merit and need.

Markus Bradley, winner of the $500 award from the Neenie Campbell Memorial Fund – Established to honor the longtime McKeesport High basketball coach, C.P. “Neenie” Campbell. 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).

Parris Perdue, winner of the Kathy McCall Sportsmanship Award, in the amount of $500 –  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 of outstanding McKeesport student-athletes.

Dr. Linda L. Croushore, president of the alumni association, commended all those who provide a financial helping hand for today’s McKeesport students. Gifts large and small are accepted on an ongoing basis, she added, noting that donors who lack the means to establish a scholarship of their own can contribute to the all-alumni fund. For more information, call 412-678-9215.