Schools
Two BBP 2011 Grads Receive Chamber Scholarship
Chamber of Commerce awarded two seniors with $500 scholarships for their involvement in the community.
The awarded two newly- graduated high school seniors with scholarships for their extraordinary community involvement at its recent last week.
“The scholarships are a way to give back to our community,” said Chamber President Laura Rogacki. “It gives the students the opportunity to share their accomplishments. This is our chance to recognize their efforts.”
Andrew Schultz and Brian Pedersen both received $500 scholarships this year, as opposed to last year’s single $1000 award. Rogacki said the Chamber could not decide between the two and agreed to split the scholarship.
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“The decision was a difficult one, but were able to narrow it down to Brian Pedersen and Andrew Schultz,” Rogacki said. “They exemplify everything that our chamber stands for; hard work, dedication, striving for excellence and being an active volunteer within the community.”
Rogacki said the Chamber chooses winners based on their grades, school and community involvement and their personal essay. In the essay, applicants had to answer questions such as, “What would you do if you were the president of the Chamber?”
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Pedersen and Schultz are both outstanding students. In fact, Pedersen has the in the 2011 graduating class. However, they are both members of the National Honor Society and active members of the community.
Schultz said his role in the community as a scout in the Chamber of Commerce Charter BSA Troop 329 and a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster gave him an edge over other applicants in the essay question. “I thought I knew more about what could be done within the community to help it grow,” he said.
Schultz was also a vital member of the Ecology Club in high school and plans to go to SUNY Buffalo to study biochemical engineering in the fall.
Rogacki said she is proud of the two students for truly servicing the community and that student involvement is essential to the prosperity of the town.
“The importance of youth participation in our community is vital because it is the only way the community can re-invest in it's future,” she said. “When our youth show an interest in becoming active in their community, it is the community's responsibility to encourage that. The Chamber takes pride in facilitating these actions.”
