The Ellwood City Area Historical Society awarded its Annual Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarship Awards to Emily Ann Borroni and Hayden Christopher Panek at a meeting Wednesday May 5th.
The meeting was opened by Everett Bleakney, president of the Society. He first explained the appreciation of all who had entered essays to be judged. Bleakney stated that the History Society was blessed to be able to continue giving these awards. To date, the History Center has awarded $69,000.00 to deserving graduating students pursuing higher education. The Barensfelds had been very active members of the History Center, and appreciated students who expressed a desire to further their education. This opportunity has been handed down to their son and daughter- in- law, David and Wendy Barensfeld.
Introductions of the scholarship committee were made. The committee consisted of Mary May, Kaye Houk and Barbara Mastropietro, all former teachers. The process of how they read each entry and determine the winners was explained.
Emily Ann Borroni, daughter of Jeff and Stephanie Borroni of Ellport, wrote her essay titled “Rock Point Park – A Hidden Park of Many Attractions”. Emily is a senior at Lincoln High School. She plans for college are to attend University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio and study biomedical engineering. After she graduates from Mount Union, she would like to open her own prosthesis business and eventually create prosthesis that look and function like human limbs. Emily currently teaches Hunter Trapper Education Classes for the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. She has been recognized as the Northwest Region Instructor of the Year. She has a passion about shooting sports, and is a three time Pennsylvania Scholastic Clay Target Program Sporting Clays Female Pennsylvania State Champion.
Hayden Christopher Panek, the son of Christopher and Patricia Panek of Fombell, and a Riverside High School senior wrote his essay titled “”Edwin E. Lamb Home”. Hayden excelled in academic courses including literature, physics, statistics, government and psychology. He will attend Virginia Polytechnic University in Blackburg, Virginia, and pursuing architect and architectural studies. Hayden has been Student Council president since 2017, the Class president and the National Honor Society vice president since 2019. He, was a member of the Riverside Swim Team, the Physics Club and in the Best Robotics Competition winning several honors, three years Men’s State Champion in swimming, a WPIAL Gold and State Bronze medals.
After the students read their essays, David Barensfeld made comments as he presented them their awards. David expressed his thanks to the History Center for continuing this annual scholarship award. He mentioned that his parents were passionate in seeing the youth continuing on to higher education. He mentioned that his father, Robert Barensfeld would like to have been present, but could not attend this evening. David applauded the two winners for their excellent essays. They both maintained the history mode of Ellwood City and held the interest of those present. He wished them the best in obtaining their ambitious goals.
Additional gifts given both students included a History Center tee shirt, a wood replica of their high school and an autographical dog courtesy the History Society.
The evening concluded with refreshments prepared and provided by the scholarship committee.
Pictured (Left to Right) Emily A. Borroni, Lincoln High; David Barensfeld, award presenter; Everett Bleakney, History Center President; Hayden C. Panek, Riverside High
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