AVON GROVE — Sixteen college-bound high school seniors from five Chester County- area high school districts were awarded scholarships from the Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania’s Community Awareness Committee (CAC), the group announced today. Fifteen students received the Sara Manning Scholarship ($1,500) and one student received the Rob Ferranto Scholarship ($2,500)*.
CAC was created to help provide funds for education, training and outreach to the community. The Committee raises proceeds each year through a golf tournament. Since its inception in 1986, CAC has raised more than $800,000 in scholarships for students seeking higher education in agricultural fields and other industries. In many cases, the students are the first in their family to attend college. Students considered for a scholarship should have a 2.5 minimum GPA and at least 10 hours of community service performed in the past year. Additionally, candidates are required to submit a 500-word essay on the health benefits of mushrooms. Recipients become mushroom ambassadors encouraged to stay up-to-date on the industry and seek employment in it.
“The mushroom industry has deep roots here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. We are thrilled to be able to help young people pursue their dreams through our longstanding scholarship program,” said Pete Alonzo, Pietro Industries.
Recipients of the scholarships include:
- Anna Iacocca, Unionville High School, attending Carnegie Mellon University
- Katelyn McGovern, Unionville High School, attending University of Pittsburgh
- Catherine Odom, Unionville High School, TBD
- Cristina Lopez, Oxford Area High School, attending Millersville University
- Daniela Ayala Lugo, Oxford Area High School, attending Delaware County Community College
- Bailee Mallon, Oxford Area High School, attending University of Delaware
- Heather Mullins, Oxford Area High School, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Elizabeth Taylor, Oxford Area High School, attending University of Pittsburgh
- Jayson Alonzo, Kennett High School, attending Temple University
- Shawn Carroll, Kennett High School, attending University of Pittsburgh
- Jenna Davidson, Kennett High School, attending Penn State University or University of South Carolina
- Caroline Fiss, Kennett High School, attending Penn State University
- Vivian Marquez Beltran*, Avon Grove High School, attending Neumann University
- Brayden Reaney, Avon Grove High School, attending Georgia Institute of Technology
- Sydney Rundle, Avon Grove High School, attending Penn State University
- Nathaniel Lewis Tan Krinock, Avon Grove Charter School, attending Rochester Institute of Technology
