Ellwood City Area Historical Society Presents 2026 Scholarships

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

Erica Barlow (Lincoln High School), Christina Valencia (Riverside High School), Kiley LeViere (Lincoln High School), and Lucas Bleakney (Lincoln High School) each received $1,500 scholarships to assist with their continuing education.

Barlow and Valencia were awarded Marlene Painter Scholarships for their essays titled, “Why I Want to Be a Teacher.”

LeViere and Bleakney received the Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarships after submitting essays on “The History of Schools in Ellwood City.”

The Robert and Janice Barensfeld Scholarships are endowed by the Barensfeld family, while the Marlene Painter Scholarship is funded by her husband, Richard Painter. David Barensfeld presented the awards to LeViere and Bleakney on behalf of his family. Scholarship Committee Chairman Everett Bleakney presented the Painter Scholarships to Barlow and Valencia on behalf of Mr. Painter.

“We are very grateful to the benefactors who donate the scholarship funds that make these awards possible,” said Bleakney. “Without their generosity, this program could not continue.”

Bleakney also thanked the families of the scholarship recipients.

“They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he said. “Thank you for providing these outstanding students with the support and encouragement they need to succeed.”

Since 1999, the Ellwood City Area Historical Society has awarded scholarships to 65 area seniors, totaling more than $100,000.

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

PICTURED BELOW: (left to right) Christina Valencia, Erica Barlow, Kiley LeViere, and Lucas Bleakney