Our 2020 Scholarship Recipients

Above the Rim Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who played Varsity Boys Basketball and had an average of 85 or above.  Applicant wrote an essay describing how basketball helped to shape them as an individual. 

$500                            Dylan Antoniak

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.  Based on an essay describing musical activities, how they have used music to serve the community, and how these experiences will be applied to future plans.  Letter of recommendation from a CCHS music teacher also required.

$500                        Abbey Fruiterman

Backyard Fence Future Leader Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior with a strong background in community service and volunteerism, an average of 85 or better, and will attend either a two or four year college.

$500                         Julianna Pinkans

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        Erica Backstrom        Dominic Ieraci         Sophie Norton

Bonnie Bucci Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will be an Education major, or to a student who plays Varsity Golf, or to a student who sang choir, played in the band and is pursuing a music major.    

$500                                  Jason Craw

Anne Bernice Bytner Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student who plans to pursue a career in nursing, has volunteer experience in a hospital or nursing home and wrote an essay describing what it personally meant to them to be able to care for the sick.

$700                        Jasmine Edmonds

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. 

$1,500                               Logan Scott

Cannon Funeral Home Caregiver Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will be entering a curriculum 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                                   Qian Lin Li

The 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.  This award is based on an essay explaining the medical or financial situation, the reason for attending college and what the student hopes to accomplish in the future.

$1,000                          Kaitlyn Riegert

Colonie Youth Court Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has participated in youth court for at least two years, must include senior year.  Recipient will major in education, criminal justice, law or legal studies, political science or advocacy-related programs serving children, adults or persons with disabilities.  Award is based on an essay on the importance of the Youth Court Judicial System to society, particularly within the South Colonie community. 

$250                         Sareena DiCerbo

Daniel K. DiPace Sr. Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will attend a college or university to pursue a vocational trade such as welding, electrical, plumbing, mechanic, machining, construction, carpentry, masonry or other skilled labor. 

$1,000                          Dominic Ieraci

Dolores Carona Memorial Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to two seniors who will be pursuing a degree in Education and are in memory of Dee Carona, a South Colonie Teacher.

$575 each                    Erin Chen                                 Noah Unser

Milton L. Flood Memorial Boys' Football Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who is a high school football player and is based on an essay and coach's evaluation.

$500                                Jared Russell

Milton L. Flood Memorial Girls' Basketball Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who is a girls' varsity basketball player.  It is based on an essay and coach's evaluation. 

$500                        Ahnalese Pearson

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.

$250                       Isabella Rodriguez

Sheila Allen Memorial Fund Scholarship

Sheila Allen was a South Colonie High School student.  Her life was tragically cut short and her dreams unfulfilled.  This Scholarship, in her memory, will be awarded to three female students who had an average of 2.8 or higher, demonstrated community involvement, financial need, and demographic or social need.  The students wrote an essay about the unfulfilled dreams of a specific person who motivated them to be successful.

$1,000 each    Madison Halter     Olivia Kirker      Sara Rybitski

Patricia H. Gordon Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing higher education in the field of Special Education or Elementary Education and has pursued their love of music as a member of a school-related music group. 

$500                                  Jason Craw

Robert & Patricia Hagen Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated academic achievement while overcoming learning obstacles.

$500                         Sareena DiCerbo

Hsia Zappi Mental Wellbeing Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has struggled with or has overcome a mental illness. This scholarship may also be awarded to a student who hopes to pursue social work and mental health services. The student has written essays on mental health and how it has impacted their life.  According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five youth live with a mental health condition. 

$250                      Quynn Capobianco

Key Club Contribution Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who are members in good standing of Key Club. It is based on the number of years in the club, awards won from the club and also NYS Key Club conferences attended and the total number of hours volunteered. Also based on an essay of 200250 words, "How has Key Club affected you?"

$250 each                Sumar Mahmood          Sara Rizvi

Jonathan D. Kirk Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will pursue a two or four year degree in Accounting or Finance and who has a proven record of volunteer work. 

$1,000                        Anthony Horton

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                               Julia Cogan

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 his or her education at a college or a university. 

$500                                     Edith Koo

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                         Morgan Connally

Justin Mirabile Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior continuing his education in the technology industry and based on an essay, academic achievement, and community involvement.

$1,000                                Julia Wang

Musical Advancement Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will pursue a degree in music and who has participated for at least three years in a high school performing group.  It is also based on a letter of recommendation from a music teacher. 

$500                                  Noah Unser

Nelson Family "Brass Ring" Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will pursue a degree in Business, Finance, or Economics and who will be attending at two or four year college and had an average above 75. This scholarship is also based on an essay, "Courage, Honesty, and Empathy - you must choose one to embrace, one to spread, and one to erase.  Discuss your choices and reasoning." 

$500                           Anthony Horton

Kathie Kirk Patrizio Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior with an average of 80 or greater who has devoted time and effort to community service and is pursuing a career in health care or medical research.  It is also based on an essay, "What or who in your life has influenced you to become part of the healthcare field?"

$500                        Sydney Perugachi

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. Their customer-first focus, web marketing expertise, and efficient business processes have enabled them to become industry leaders in just a few short years.  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.  

$375 each           William Christopher      Alberico Conte

Raider Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating 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 and to now honor all our alumni and staff who've gone before us, to know they will always have a place in our hearts.

$500                       Nicholas Caporale

David Scaringe Memorial Scholarship I

This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in Engineering with a secondary interest in Music.  This scholarship is also based on an essay, "Why do you feel you are deserving of this scholarship?" 

$1,000                                 Edith Koo

David Scaringe Memorial Scholarship II

This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in Engineering.

$1,000                          Emily Rennells

Shana Salecker Marra Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who will be pursuing a degree in Special Education and is in memory of Shanna Salecker Marra, a South Colonie Teacher. 

$300                            Madison Halter

South Colonie Cheerleading Booster Club Basketball Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to two seniors intending to pursue a two or four year degree.  Scholarships are based on an essay, "How has cheerleading affected your life and how will it affect your future plans?" as well as on community service.

$250 each                    Caitlin Pope                   Julianna Ryczek

South Colonie Friends of Theatre Arts - Actor Theatre Scholarship

This scholarship is sponsored by South Colonie Friends of Theatre Arts and is awarded to a senior who is a member of South Colonie Friends of Theatre Arts, has worked with the high school theatre program for at least two years, and plans to pursue theatre work at college. 

$300                                  Noah Unser

South Colonie Youth Baseball/Softball Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who played baseball or softball with the South

Colonie Youth Baseball and Girls Softball League. These scholarships are also based on an essay, "Please describe what playing baseball or softball has taught you." 

$750 each        Baseball: Anthony Horton       Softball: Hailey Brooks

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                             Caitlin Tizzone

South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Board of 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. 

$450 each               Makalya Blake             Jillian Kavanaugh    

South Colonie Dollars for Scholars Chapter 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 chapter fundraising.

$250 each             Cameryn Coetzee     Julia Tenney

South Colonie Dollars for Scholars "Rob Robo" Chapter Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who entered the "Rob Robo" raffle to "steal" Mr. Robilotti's parking spot. 

$250                                  Julia Cogan

Stewart's Shops Holiday Match Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who has made a difference in their community. 

$500                                   Qian Lin Li

Edward J. Szesnat III Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior who is a student athlete or cheerleader and is based on an essay describing a lesson the student learned by playing sports. 

$500 per year for 4 years             Lily Youngs

Tabner, Ryan & Keniry LLP Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student athlete with an average of 85 or greater who obtained a varsity letter during senior year and will attend a four year college.

$500                              Lindsey Dobbs

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.

$250                                Julia Tenney

The Lauren Tanski Literature and Arts Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior going to college to study literature, photography or other forms of art. 

$500                                Jared Russell

The Niko Strong Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior that was challenged personally, academically, or socially in the beginning stages of high school and was able to turn it around and persevered, setting his or herself up for future success.

$508                       Isabella Rodriguez

The Vito Ramundo Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to two seniors who plan to attend Siena College.  These scholarships are based on community involvement or students who participated in a team sport.  The students maintained an average of 90 or better.

$500 each              F: Sophie Haas           M: Mustafa Muhi

Amy Seyboth Tirador Memorial Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to two seniors currently enrolled in the high school music program who have participated in a musical performing group all years in high school and is based on a letter of recommendation from a high school music teacher. This award is sponsored by the Electrical Workers Local #236 Motorcycle Club.

$500 each     F: Julianna Pinkans    M: Nicholas Caporale

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 higher, 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.  It is also based on an essay describing how the Italian language has made a difference in life. 

$500                     Isabella Alesandrini

Eleanor B. Grounds Winne Memorial Scholarship

Eleanor was a graduate of Roessleville Elementary School and taught for more than twenty years.  This scholarship is awarded to a student who attended Roessleville Elementary School, had good attendance in high school, and is going into the field of education.

$250                             Kaitlyn Riegert