Ellwood Historical Society Awards Scholarships

Four local high school seniors were awarded scholarships by the Ellwood City Area Historical Society on Monday night.

DeLanna Fox (Riverside H.S.), Kailyn Hamilton (Lincoln H.S.), Hannah Hyde (Commonwealth Charter Academy), and Sara Schwarz (Lincoln H.S.) each received $1,500 toward their continuing education.

Fox and Schwarz won Marlene Painter Scholarships with essays on “Why I Want to be a Teacher.”

Hamilton and Hyde were winners of the Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarship. Hamilton’s winning essay was titled “Effects of COVID on a Small Town,” and Hyde wrote on “The Closure of the Ellwood City Hospital.”

The Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarshps are endowed by the Barensfeld family, and the Marlene Painter Award is funded by her husband, Richard Painter. Ms. Sarah Barensfeld Rizk presented the awards to Ms. Hamilton and Ms. Hyde on behalf of her family. Scholarship Committee Chairman, Everett Bleakney presented the Painter Awards to Ms. Fox and Ms. Schwarz on behalf of Mr. Painter.

“We are so very grateful to the benefactors that donate the scholarship money for us to give out,” said Everett Bleakney,. “Without them, this would not be possible.”

Since 1999, the Ellwood City Historical Society has awarded scholarships to 61 area seniors totaling $100,000.

For information on becoming a member or to make a donation, please visit ellwoodhistory.org or call 724-752-2021. The Ellwood City History Center is located at 310 Fifth Street and is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday or by appointment.

: Painter Scholarship recipient Sara Schwarz receives award from Everett Bleakney

: Barensfeld Scolarship Kailyn Hamilton with Sarah Rizk and Everett Bleakney

: Painter Scholarship recipient DeLanna Fox receives award from Everett Bleakney

: Barensfeld Scholarship recipient Hannah Hyde with Everett Bleakney and Sarah Rizk

Sara Schwarz

High School:Lincoln
Organizations:National Honor Society and Student Council
Parents:Jason and Brooke Schwarz
College:Penn State Behrend
Major: Early Childhood/Special Education
Notable:High Honor Roll student with a 4.4 weighted GPA and takes AP classes … Member of varsity softball team for four years and plays for the Pittsburgh Power traveling team during the summer … Member of Wurtemburg United Methodist Church, participating in youth group and the church choir.

Hannah Hyde

High School:Commonwealth Charter Academy
Organizations: National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Rho Kappa (Social Studies Honor Society)
Parents:Adam and Angela Hyde
College:Community College of Beaver County
Major: Nursing
Notable:A dual enrollment student at CCBC … Volunteers at the Beaver County Humane Society … Assists with the Women’s Network’s annual fundraiser, “Girl’s Night Out” … Attends Lillyville Church of God and participates in their young people’s programs.

Kailyn Hamilton

High School: Lincoln
Organizations: Student Council, Club Hope, E.C. Cultural Club, and National Honor Society
Parents: Dave and Stacy Hamilton
College:PennWest Californina
Major:Mechatronics Engineering
Notable: Will major in mechatronics engineering … Attends Holy Redeemer Church and performs community service through its youth group … Varsity letter winner and captain in tennis, track and cross country … She will continue college track and cross-country.

DeLanna Fox

High School: Riverside
Organizations: Youth Ambassador Program, Student Council, Rising Educators, National Honor Society, and Students Against Destructive Decisions
Parents: Ed and Sandee Fox
College:Community College of Beaver County
Major:Early ChildhoodEducation
Notable: Maintained high honor roll status with a 3.96 GPA … course load included Honors and Advanced Placement, and College in High School courses … Varsity letter winner and team captainin volleyball, basketball, and track … Works at Giles Town and Country Market, Broadrun Farms, and Over the Moon Daycare.