Our 2025 Scholarship Winners:
Above the Rim Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who played Varsity Boys Basketball and had an average of 85 or above and did not receive a full scholarship from college. The student wrote an essay describing how basketball helped to shape them as an individual.
$500 each: Peter Tenney, Carson Desmarais
Adriana Truesell Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who plans to pursue a degree in nursing or medicine. The student wrote an essay describing what field most intrigues them in the study of nursing or medicine. This award is in memory of Adrianna Truesell, a Colonie Central High School student who left us too soon.
$500: Brooke Dufour
Anne Bernice Bytner Memorial Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who plans to pursue a career in nursing and has volunteer experience in a hospital or nursing home.
$1,500: Ashley Hacker
Backyard Fence Acts of Kindness Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior known for acts of kindness and who is a selfless advocate for others. The student will attend either a two or four year college.
$500: Marina Warzocha, Addison York
Cannon Funeral Home Caregiver Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will be pursuing a degree that is considered to be a caregiver role, such as nursing, physical therapy, medical professional, or pharmacist, or may be a student who has demonstrated caregiving as a volunteer in a community-based organization.
$500: Ryleigh Place
Colonie Cheerleading
This scholarship is awarded to two senior cheerleaders on Varsity who intend to study at a two or four year college or vocational school. The students were involved in community service and wrote an essay describing how cheerleading affected their life and how it will affect their future plans.
$250 each: Savannah Hulett, Olivia Bedinotti
Colonie Police Benevolent Assoc. Investment in the Future Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will attend a two or four year college. The student has a GPA of 85 or above and is involved in community service. The student wrote an essay on how they plan to better their community.
$500: Jaelyn Bogdanowicz
Colonie Pride Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated a passion for community service. This student has made a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community or identifies as LGBTQ+. This award has been enhanced by the Dr. Irving Fradkin Legacy Awards Grant.
$1,200: Julia Oropallo
Colonie Youth Court Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who participated in Colonie Youth Court for two years, including senior year. The student has a GPA of 80 or above and wrote an essay on the importance of the Youth Court in the community. The student plans to pursue a degree in either teaching, criminal justice, law, sociology, psychology, or political science.
$750: Kshashti Maharaj
Courage Award
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has shown courage to overcome a difficult life situation or adversity based on immigration status, socio-economic status, sexual identity, gender or race.
$250: Fabio Dikellari
David Michael Camadine Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior that demonstrates leadership and is active in community service. The student is attending a two or four year college and has a GPA of 2.5 or above. The student demonstrates financial need and wrote an essay on their need for financial aid, as well as describing their school activities, leadership, education and career goals, and any unusual personal or family hardships.
$2,500 per year for 4 years: Janelle Adkins
David Scaringe Memorial Scholarship I
This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in engineering with a secondary interest in music. The student wrote an essay describing how they are deserving of this scholarship.
$1,000: Tyler Sinkins
David Scaringe Memorial Scholarship II
This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in engineering.
$1,000: Katelin Luu
Dr. Thomas A Brown / Cecile B. David Scholarships
This scholarship is awarded to three seniors who will be attending a community college or pursuing a degree in social work. Dr. Thomas A Brown was Superintendent of Schools in South Colonie from 1989 to 2005. Cecile B. David was a long time South Colonie resident and former faculty member and Associate Dean of the School of Social Work at SUNY Albany.
$500 each: Michael Roselli, Zachary Elk, Briana Toro, Eric Liu
Edward J. Szesnat III Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who is a student athlete or cheerleader. The student wrote an essay describing a lesson they learned from playing sports.
$500 per year for 4 years: Emily Trama
French and Spanish Language Award
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who intends to study foreign language in college and has a GPA above 90% in foreign language coursework over three years and has been active in the CCHS community.
$300: Ryleigh Place
Greg Aidala Presents: "The Knock-Knock Who's There?" Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior planning on attending college for a degree in the arts.
$400: LilyAnne Wickham
J. Dennis Cafaro Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will be pursuing a degree in business, finance, accounting, or economics and has demonstrated community service and leadership.
$1,000: Olivia Bedinotti
John F. Cavotta Technology Award
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has expressed an interest in and taken classes in technology and will be attending a two or four year college for technology. This Scholarship is in memory of John F. Cavotta, a former South Colonie Teacher.
$250: Michael Backstrom
Justin Mirabile Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior continuing their education in the technology industry. The student wrote an essay and displays academic achievement and community involvement.
$1,000: Matthew Houlihan
Kathleen Grace Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior that will attend a two or four year college. This student comes from a single parent household and is active in community service.
$500: Tiffany He
Lawrence A. Bach Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who is currently enrolled in music and has participated in a CCHS performing group all four years. The student wrote an essay describing musical activities, how they have used music to serve the community, and how these experiences will be applied to future plans. A letter of recommendation from a CCHS music teacher is required.
$500: Samuel Rhode
Liam Pickett Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who intends to become a teacher and has participated in theater arts in school or in community theater. This award is in memory of Liam Pickett, a Colonie Central High School graduate who left us too soon.
$1,000: Eliza Irons
MacKenzie Kate Malone Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a female senior who has a true passion for helping the less fortunate through volunteer work, who has a love for traveling, and was an athlete who ran Cross Country, Track, or played Lacrosse.
$3,000: Isabella Trimarchi
Mental Wellbeing Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who is struggling with or has overcome a mental illness. The student may also be pursuing a degree in social work or mental health services. The student wrote an essay reflecting on how mental health has impacted their life.
$500: Cameron Froehlich
Metro Ford Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated academic achievement and is enrolling in college to study business or automotive technology.
$500: Alexander Wheeler
Michael & Karen Grignon Service to Humanity Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who plans to pursue a career in social work, psychology, public health or counseling.
$250: Julia Mosher
Michael & Patricia Carey Appreciation Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has experienced severe medical hardship or had a family member who experienced a medical hardship, making it hard for the family to pay college costs. The student wrote an essay explaining the medical or financial situation, the reason for attending college, and what the student hopes to accomplish in the future.
$1,500: Ian Zehnder
Mr. & Mrs. Louis J. Marcelle Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who displays outstanding effort in Social Studies and who is continuing their education at a college or a university.
$600: Addison Rauh
Musical Advancement Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will pursue a degree in music. The student participated in a high school performing group for at least three years. A letter of recommendation from a music teacher is required.
$500: Mi-Son Hinkson-Serrano
Nelson Family "Brass Ring" Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will pursue a degree in business, finance, or economics. The student will be attending a two or four year college and has an average above 80%. The student wrote an essay discussing the potential for artificial intelligence to end all wars.
$300: Jackson Mackenzie
NexGen Engineering Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will pursue a degree in the engineering field.
$500: Carter Hufland
Nicholas Mastromarchi Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has been involved in theater or music while at CCHS. The student may be pursuing a degree in music, theater, or business. This award falls under the umbrella of the South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Chapter.
$2,500: Nguyet-Vien Le
Pure Adapt Web Technologies Scholarships
Pure Adapt, Inc. is locally owned and operated by four Colonie High School graduates from the classes of 1999 and 2000. Pure Adapt designs, develops, markets, and operates e-commerce stores and other websites in an array of industries. This Pure Adapt Web Technologies Scholarship is awarded to two seniors who have an active interest in any area of web technologies and will attend college in the Capital Region.
$500 each: Michael Backstrom, Logan Thornton
Raider Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a two or four year degree and has given back to the community with a good heart. This award was created from money raised to create a memorial garden for Corey Womack and Justin Mirable who both died during their senior years at CCHS. This award now honors all CCHS alumni and staff who have gone before us and will always have a place in our hearts.
$500: Maelynn Yang
Robert & Patricia Hagen Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated academic achievement while overcoming learning obstacles.
$1,000: Brice Skiff
Ross Buddenhagen Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who attended Lisha Kill Middle School, shows excellent community involvement, and plans to attend a two or four year university.
$500: Evelyn Desnoyers
Shana Salecker Marra Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will be pursuing a degree in special education. This award is in memory of Shanna Salecker Marra, a South Colonie Teacher.
$500: Neala Hughes
Sheila Allen Memorial Fund Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a female senior who had a 2.5 average or above, demonstrated community involvement, financial need, and demographic or social need. The student wrote an essay about the unfulfilled dreams of a specific person who motivated them to be successful. This scholarship is memory of Sheila Allen, a South Colonie High School student whose life was tragically cut short and her dreams unfulfilled.
$3,000: Emily Donohue
Sherry Family Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who ran Cross Country or Track and who plans to study either science or business in college. The student wrote an essay explaining how running has impacted their life.
$400: Relaida Collaku
South Colonie Alumni Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior for exceptional time and effort devoted to community service. This scholarship was established in 1998 through a grass-roots effort of individual alumni.
$500: Kshashti Maharaj
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Chapter Scholarships
This scholarship is awarded to seniors who have devoted exceptional time and effort to community involvement and volunteerism.
$500 each: Emily Murray, Shane LaFountain, Maelynn Yang, Aislyn Clancy
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Directors Scholarships
This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who have devoted exceptional time and effort to community involvement and volunteerism. Funding for these scholarships comes from individual South Colonie Dollars for Scholars officers and directors.
$500 each: Marina Warzocha, Lauren Kelly
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Chapter Scholarship: In Memory of Fran McCashion
This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who have devoted exceptional time and effort to community involvement and volunteerism. This award is in memory of Fran McCashion who was a beloved DFS Board Member, CCHS tutor, and active Colonie community booster.
$500: Addison York
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Chapter Scholarship: In Honor of Nick Saccone
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has devoted exceptional time and effort to community involvement and volunteerism. This award is in honor of Nick Saccone who was a founding Board Member of our DFS chapter.
$500: Danica Silva
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Chapter Scholarship: Stewart's Holiday Match
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has devoted exceptional time and effort to community involvement and volunteerism. Funding for this scholarship comes from the Stewart's Shops Holiday Match.
$500: Alishba Nadeem
South Colonie Girls Softball Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who played South Colonie Girls Softball as a youth. The student wrote an essay describing what playing softball has taught them.
$500: Lauren Kelly
Tabner, Ryan & Keniry LLP Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student athlete with an average of 85% or above who obtained a varsity letter during senior year and will attend a four year college.
$500: Aislyn Clancy
The Lauren Tanski Literature and Arts Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior going to college to study literature, photography, journalism, or other forms of art.
$500: Tyler Sinkins
The Vito Ramundo Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who plan to attend Siena College. These scholarships are based on community involvement. The students plan to major in business, finance, accounting, insurance or data analytics.
$500 each: Fatima Shafqat, Logan Thorton
West Albany Italian Benevolent Society & Women's Auxiliary Italian Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has excelled in Italian I and Italian II with an average of 92% or above, demonstrates enthusiasm for the Italian language and culture, speaks the Italian language both inside and outside of class, demonstrates community involvement, and will attend a two or four year college or university. The student wrote an essay describing how the Italian language has made a difference in their life.
$500: Samina Khan
Yours in Service Key Club Scholarships
This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who are members in good standing and have shown exemplary service in leadership and volunteerism to school and community. The students wrote an essay describing how Key Club has affected them.
$250 each: Tiffany He, Katelin Luu
