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Wayne Central Senior Entrepreneurial Scholarship

ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.

GRADUATING SENIOR ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD POLICY

FOR THE CLASS OF 2025

INTENT:  To recognize a senior student in the Wayne Central School District who has demonstrated a major interest in business, and has entrepreneurial and leadership qualities

SELECTION OF RECIPIENT(S) (CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION) 

In March of each year a representative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Inc. designated by the Board of Directors, will make an inquiry to the counseling office at Wayne Central High School to obtain the name(s) of the students(s) who have made an application for our Entrepreneurial Scholarship Award.

The following criteria will be assessed per applicant and assigned points by a Rubric:

  • Submit an essay answering a business related question determined annually by the Ontario Chamber Board of Directors                                                                                                                              
  • Student has completed 40 hours of community service                                    
  • Student has participated in work/study program @ BOCES                                                      
  • Student has worked in a family-owned business, PT or FT                                                      
  • Student has worked in or participated in a private business, or a “shadow program” PT or FT
  • Student has plans to pursue own business                                    
  • Student has participated in Future Business Leaders of America Club                                                                                                                                                              

Members of the Ontario Chamber Board of Directors will review the essays and other criteria and determine the student(s) who will receive the scholarship award(s) for the current graduating class.

PROCEDURE & PROTOCOL

  • Inquiry to the counseling office for the name(s) of applicants will occur by March 1st
  • The amount of the scholarship is determined by the Board of Directors on an annual basis by the end of February
  • Cancellation of the scholarship by the Board of Directors may occur at any time
  • When review of the applicants is completed, notice is made to the counseling office at the high school of the recipient(s)
  • Announcement of the scholarship winner(s) is made by the high school during commencement exercises
  • Following announcement, a check is written/mailed by the treasurer by certified mail to the student(s) home address
  • Address, parent/guardian(s) contact and plans after graduation are obtained from the counseling office
  • Following announcement, a representative from the Ontario Chamber will interview the student(s) and obtain a digital copy of their senior photo for publication in the Chamber Newsletter, Facebook page, website, and local newspapers
  • The name and graduation year of the recipient(s) is added to the Ontario Chamber scholarship plaque in the town hall lobby

ADOPTED:  May 12, 2012,
UPDATED: April 17, 2014, March 15, 2021, February 20, 2024, August 19, 2024

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Previous Community Service Scholarship Winners: 

2024 Winner – Ella Collier

Ella Collier is our 2024 winner of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Inc. scholarship award for obtaining the most hours in community service during their high school years.  Ella accumulated 547 hours by donating her time at her dance studio as a teaching assistant.  She also helped set up and tear down for performances and recitals.  She attended the BOCES cosmetology program and graduated with her NYS license.

2023 Winner – Austin Kelsch

Austin volunteered many hours participating with the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the level of Eagle Scout.  His future plans include attending R.I.T. in engineering and joining the R.O.T.C. program with the U.S. Navy. His parents are Katie and Paul Kelsch.

2022 Winner – Kyle Gerhardt

Kyle Gerhardt is an intelligent, engaging, and talented young man with a bright future ahead as he graduates from Wayne Central this June.  He has been accepted at SUNY Albany for the fall of 2022. Kyle plans on majoring in Criminal Justice and legal studies. He has been a great advocate and voice for fairness and equality. He has never held back when someone else is in need of help or support.
He has been a tremendous asset to our school and community. Kyle is a talented singer and actor that has been involved in numerous school and community theater and music productions. He has been part of Show Choir and Beneway Boys at Wayne Central as well as being a class officer
He continues to be active in Boy Scouts and has been involved in many community projects culminating in his Eagle Scout Project which is building shelves and cabinets for the high school band room. Kyle is also, a singer in his church choir, has cleaned local cemeteries and volunteered at the Walworth Library and the Walworth Historical Society. He volunteered to read to elementary students each year. During the covid shutdown, Kyle recorded two book readings for the elementary students and sent them to the elementary teachers for them to share with their students in lieu of being physically present with them at that time.
With Kyle’s positive outlook and caring personality, there is no doubt that he will continue to develop his talents and be an integral part of the school and work community throughout his life.
Kyle lives at 3805 Orchard Street Walworth, NY 14568, with his parents, Brian and Deborah.

2021 Winner – Savannah Taylor

Our 2021 Community Service Scholarship winner is Savannah Taylor who has accumulated 170+ hours of community service. She has participated in the Penfield and Walworth Fire Explorers Programs, volunteered for EMT, Jr. Ambulance and Town of Walworth Fire Dept. She was voted by her peers to be 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain. At Wayne Central, she has been a member of the band all four years and participated in All County Band. She was also an officer and secretary during her freshman year. Savannah plans on pursuing education as a college major and is interested in being a math or science teacher. Her parents are Tracey and Marc Taylor, residing at 4717 Lincoln Road, Macedon, NY 14502. Congratulations to Savannah and best wishes for a successful future.

The scholarship of $500.00 is awarded by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to the Wayne Central graduate who has accumulated the most hours in community service during their high school years.

2019 Winner – Abriuana Caine

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce the winner of our annual Community Scholarship given to the Wayne Central graduate who has acquired the most hours of volunteer community service during their high school years. The 2019 winner is Abriuana Caine, 4077 West Walworth Rd., Macedon, NY 14502. Abriuana has accumulated 339 hours of voluntary service in area organizations. She will receive a check in the amount of $250.00. Her future plans include attending Daemen College.

2018 Winner – Cody Kiedrowski  

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our 2018 Community Scholarship Award winner. The award was presented at graduation to Cody Kiedrowski for achieving 508.5 hours of community service over his four years at Wayne Central High School.  Cody has volunteered his time to help multiple organizations with their events and has spent countless evenings and weekends supporting the school and community.

In the future, he will be attending Ithaca College in the fall to study Theater Production and Design. His passion for working on the technical aspects of theater have led him to be honored this year by the Rochester Broadway Theater League’s Stars of Tomorrow for Excellence in stage management. He resides at 7755 RoderParkway, Ontario.

The chamber award for 2018 is a cash amount of  $250.00.  Cody’s name will also be inscribed on a plaque placed in the town hall lobby.

2017 Winner – Timothy Scott Brower

Timothy completed 1,439 hours of community service in various organizations all related to medical services.  He is the son of Scott Brower.  Future plans include working in emergency services and completing EMT training.

2016 Winner – Morgan Pevear

Morgan volunteered over 400 hours with the Girl Scouts receiving the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.  She is the daughter of Disa and Brett Pevear, 2247 Ridge Road, Ontario, NY.  Future plans include Monroe Community College majoring in Business.

2015 Winner – Timothy Halstead

Timothy volunteered over 1700 hours with the Explore’s Program with the Ontario Volunteer Fire Department.  He is the son of Kevin and Melissa Halstead, 5833 Walworth Rd., Ontario, NY 14519. Future plans include attendance at culinary school.

2014 Winner – Celia Freida

At the June, 2014 graduation of Wayne Central High School the 2014 Ontario Chamber Community Scholarship was awarded to Celia Freida, 5873 Walworth Ontario Road, Ontario, NY. The Scholarship is awarded to the senior who has completed the highest amount in volunteer hours during their high school years. Ms. Freida accumulated 374 community service hours with the following organizations: Gliding Stars; Ronald McDonald House; Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, OsteogenisisImperfecta Organization; Ontario Parks & Recreation and Rochester General. She also served as Class Officer, and a member of various school clubs. She is the 2014 Salutatorian and plans on attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall to study Biology.

2013 Winner – Kevin Halstead

Kevin contributed many hours of volunteer work through the Explorer’s Program with the  Ontario Volunteer Fire Department.  He is the son of Kevin and Melissa Halstead, 5833 Walworth Rd., Ontario, NY  14519.  Future plans include attendance at Alfred State.

2012 Winner – Marina Barci

Marina accumulated 900 hours of service at St. Stanislaus Church, 4H Camp Bristol Hills, and as a cheerleading coach for youth football at Wayne Central.

2011 Winner – Jacqueline Steves

Jacqueline is the daughter of David and Michelle, 5999 Lincoln Rd., Ontario, NY 14519.  She accumulated 200 hours of community service with the majority working at Camp Open Arms, a cancer camp for kids and on a mission trip with her church to Northern Ireland.   She plans to become a doctor or physician’s assistant.

2010 Winner – Brittany Peters