Ellwood City Historical Society Announces 2023 Scholarship Winners

Three local students were awarded scholarships at the Ellwood City Historical Society on Monday.

Sam Kline and Hayden Slade were each recipients of the $1,500.00 Robert & Janice Barensfeld Scholarships and Gabrielle Davis was the recipient of the $10,000.00 Marlene Painter Scholarship.  Davis and Slade are graduating seniors at Lincoln High School and Kline is a graduating senior at Riverside School District.

The monthly meeting of the Ellwood City Area Historical Society was called to order by Bob Morabito, President, reminding those present of the mission of the Society. Morabito then asked WWII Veteran Guy Prestia to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Everett Bleakney, head of the Scholarship Committee, explained the process of choosing the individuals who would be awarded the scholarships for this year. Four retired teachers, Kay Houk, Angela Hyde, Mary May and Barb Mastropietro reviewed all submitted scholarships that were received from Lincoln and Riverside High Schools. Beginning in 1999 two Robert & Janice Barensfeld scholarships have been awarded each year. To date $85,000 in scholarships have been awarded. This year an additional scholarship will be given. The Marlene Painter Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student from Lincoln High School who will go into the teaching profession.

Each recipient then read their essays.

Sam Kline’s topic was Assimilation and the Ellwood City Ethnic Clubs: From Many to One. Sam will attend Ohio State NROTC School and major in Naval Science and Aeronautical Engineering. Hayden Slade spoke on Immigration in Ellwood City: A Brief Look at the Effect of Social and Ethnic Clubs on Assimilation. Hayden plans to attend Notre Dame majoring in Computer Science with a Minor in Mathematics. Gabrielle Davis delivered her essay on why she wants to be a teacher. She will attend CCBC before entering Edinboro University.

Everett thanked the students and presented each with a wooden replica of their school and an Ellwood City t-shirt.

Earlier in the meeting, and in recognition of their numerous contributions to the Historical Society through the years, the meeting room was dedicated to and named the Robert and Janice Barensfeld Meeting Room. A plaque was placed under their picture at the entrance to the room.

Bob Morabito advised the group that the Strand Theater in Zelienople will be presenting a special screening of the movie Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission May 26, 27, 28. Royal Stratton was from Ellwood City and lost his life on a rescue mission in WWII. Veterans will be admitted free of charge in honor of Memorial Day. Cost to others is $5.00.

The Historical Society trolley will be in the Memorial Day Parade and the scholarship winners are invited to ride in it along with the essay winners from the American Legion this year. August 25 at 11:00 the Hack Wilson marker will be dedicated in the area of the Ewing Park baseball field. All are invited to attend this dedication.

Our next meeting will be our annual banquet at the Connoquenessing Country Club on September 11. The theme will be Baseball in Ellwood City.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned with cake served in honor of the graduates.