California Area School District Foundation awards $12K in scholarships to seniors

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

A group of graduating seniors in the California Area School District received a boost for their secondary education plans thanks to the California Area School District Foundation.
The nonprofit organization recently awarded more than $12,000 in scholarships to 13 students in the district.
The foundation was started 30 years ago, and acts as the liaison between the applicants and the families that provide the scholarships.
“The foundation houses the money, so when the family wants to give the scholarship, the foundation does the interviews and distributes the money,” said California School District social studies/communications teacher and
CASDF member Jon Difilippo.
The following scholarships were awarded for the 2020-21 school year: Elisabeth Adams, $300, First Presbyterian Church and $500, BCR Lions Club; Jeremy Beckinger, $500, King-Kash and $500, Confer-Martin; Sarah Bielawski, $500, Daisytown AC and $500, CASDF; Makayla Boda, $500, Niccolai F. and $500, Class of ’84; Athena Georgagis, $500, Class of ’84; Jayme Gregg, $500 Daisytown AC and $250, W. Browns Am Leg; Elaina Nicholson, $1,000, Webb; Nathan O’Savage, $500, Niccolai M. and $1,000, Frosty Frolic; Mylaina Pendo, $500, Class of ’76 and $250, Class of ’85; Raquel Rhoads, $250, Masonic and $1,000, B&B Stem; Alison Righetti, $500, Classes of ’63, ’64, ’67, ’68 and ’69 and $250, Macfann; Jaime Sprenger, $500, Kulak-DeAntonio and $1,000, B&B Stem; Cheyenne Weld, $500, CASDF and $250, Macfann.
CASDF raises money through donations and fundraisers to support graduating seniors, teacher mini-grants, and class reunion efforts.
Defilippo said the scholarships are awarded to students based on their grade point average, community service and accolades such as National Honors Society and other outside awards.
“Some of the scholarships are specifically for males while others are for females,” Defilippo said. “Other scholarships are specifically for athletes and others are for students going to trade schools or studying teaching or fine arts.”
With such a wide variety of scholarships available, Difilippo said it’s important for students to take advantage of available opportunities.
“Students here in the California area are the future of the Mon Valley and supporting them in their academic endeavors is not only going to help them, but also give back to this area,” he said. “We encourage them to apply to as many scholarships as possible. The worst thing that can happen is you get denied. The real world costs more money than they think.”