Four Olean High School graduates were recently awarded scholarships from funds managed by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
Domonick Hirliman was awarded the Don Scholla Memorial Scholarship for $1,000.
Established in memory of former Olean High School physical education teacher and coach Don Scholla by his family, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior of Olean High School. First preference will be given to students pursuing a degree or career in physical education and/or coaching, reflecting Scholla’s lifelong dedication to mentoring others through sports. Second preference will be given to Olean seniors who have participated in at least two varsity sports at OHS.
The Scholla Scholarship is making its first award this year.
Hirliman was also awarded the William D. and Catherine Griffin Fraser Scholarship for $2,000 and the Gene and Sandra Froebel Teachers Scholarship for $1,000.
This scholarship is for a graduate of any Cattaraugus or Allegany County High School pursuing a post-secondary education, with preference for a graduate of Olean High School or Cuba-Rushford Central School pursuing a degree in the medical or education field.
The late William D. Fraser, a long-time teacher and guidance counselor at Olean High School, initially established the scholarship in memory of his late wife, Catherine Griffine Fraser, who worked at St. Francis Hospital for 26 years. His name was added to the scholarship after his passing in 2019.
Established to honor the legacy of Gene and Sandra Froebel, two dedicated area teachers, the Froebel Scholarship seeks to reward hardworking students who have overcome adversity, participated in high school athletics, were employed while attending school and/or volunteered to better their community and who are seeking to pursue a career in education.
Hirliman plans to study physical education at SUNY Brockport.
Ava Finch received the George and Marcia Pancio Scholarship for $500.
This scholarship, established by the Pancio family, is for a graduating senior of Olean High School planning to study in the education or medical field. The student also needs to compete an essay question about patriotism.
Finch plans to study speech language pathology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Gina Mercer was awarded the Dr. Brian O’Connell Sr. Memorial Scholarship for $500.
This scholarship, established in memory of Dr. Brian O’Connell who worked for 37 years in the Olean City School District before retiring as the principal of Ivers J. Norton Elementary School, is for graduating high school seniors or graduates of Olean High School who will be attending or are currently enrolled in college and plan to pursue a degree in an education-related academic major.
Mercer plans to study education at Buffalo State University.
Olivia Black was awarded the Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship for $400.
Established in memory of the longtime preschool teacher at the Olean YMCA by her family, the scholarship support graduating seniors of Olean High School who plan to pursue higher education in fields aligned with Thornbury’s values and passions: educations, healthcare and the social sciences.
Black plans to study neuroscience at Mercyhurst University.
Donations can be made to any of these funds at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
