(Canton, OH) April 17, 2020 – United Way of Greater Stark County’s Young Leaders Society (YLS) is fortunate to be able to award three Textbook Scholarship recipients this year. Each student is eligible to receive a total of $4,000 ($1,000 per year) to offset the cost of books for college.
This scholarship initiative is part of the education focus that YLS members work to support in the community. The scholarship was open to any graduating high school student in Greater Stark County that was the first in their family to attend college. The three scholarship recipients for this year are Lauren Brown, José Tovar, Jr. and Ty White.
Lauren Brown, a soon-to-be 2020 graduate of Washington High School, is involved in many athletic and academic extracurriculars while staying dedicated to her education. Through her application, we learned that she is not afraid to fail in order to succeed, as it only helps her to grow into the best version of herself. One of her instructors, Brian Sifferlin, exclaimed that “she cannot be stopped, nothing can deter her from reaching her goals. She is laser-focused on what she wants, and I have no doubts at all that she will acquire everything she puts her mind to.” Lauren plans to work towards a bachelor’s degree in biology before pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant.
José Tovar, Jr. will be a 2020 graduate of Marlington High School, Secretary of the Spanish National Honor Society and captain of the soccer team. It was clear through his application that his ambition and determination will take him far. Megan Brady, José’s Spanish teacher, shares that “he has been a kind, helpful peer that is always willing to lend a helping hand and take leadership roles when offered. He is sure to be an outstanding member of whatever department, university, and community he chooses.” As the firstborn American citizen in his family, he wants to set an example for his younger siblings as he pursues a major in Clinical Psychology at Lake Erie College.
Ty White is a future 2020 graduate of GlenOak High School, captain of the Varsity Soccer team and a volunteer for multiple organizations. Ty’s application showed the character and leadership skills that he worked hard to build through participation in multiple sports and activities. According to Alison Pickering, a family friend, “his determination and love of athletics has led him to mentor others, assist with youth programs, and set an example for his teammates of hard work and dedication.” Ty plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Forensic and Investigative Sciences at West Virginia University so that he can later train with the FBI and help lower the crime rate in his community.
Beth Starrett, Chair of the Scholarship Review Committee, exclaims “We are especially grateful to be able to provide these scholarships with all that our local Senior students are going through right now. The isolation from their peers and teachers can make it difficult to look forward to their future, but we know the resiliency skills these Seniors are learning will be able to be carried with them throughout life. YLS is proud to support local students and encourage them as they pursue their dreams of higher education.”
For more information regarding Young Leaders Society, contact Laura Prengaman, Director of Corporate and Volunteer Engagement at 330-491-9953 and [email protected].
About Young Leaders Society
United Way’s Young Leaders Society is a group of passionate young professionals who come together to educate, engage and inspire individuals across Greater Stark County. They harness their time and talents through mentorship, fundraising and volunteerism to activate education initiatives and build a better community. Education sets the foundation for the future, and it is the area where they believe they can make the greatest impact. As young leaders, their personal and professional success would not have been possible without support from mentors, teachers and advocates who helped them along the way. Now they’re paying it forward for the next generation. More information is available at www.uwstark.org/young-leaders-society.
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.