$185,000 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO 11 STUDENTS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA BY THE PAA FOUNDATION
The PAA Foundation announces $185,000 in Community Service Scholarships awarded to the eleven students listed below. Scholarships were granted based on the student’s commitment to charitable activities and the impact of that activity on the citizens of their communities. In 2011, eighty-seven scholarship applications were received, representing dealerships across the state and illustrating the strong spirit of giving among today’s youth. PAA offers its congratulations and best wishes to the scholarship recipients, their parents and grandparents working in Pennsylvania’s dealerships, and to the dealers they represent.
2011 Scholarship Recipients
Angela Banks
Angela is a college sophomore at Juniata College, majoring in Biochemistry with the career goal of becoming a pharmacist. Angela is an active participant and leader in many charitable organizations. Among them, she prepared relief kits for Haiti, raises funds to fight hunger locally and worldwide, volunteers at elementary schools to teach young students the effects of drugs, drinking and smoking, volunteers at the local hospital, and plans Relay for Life events to raise money for Cancer research. She is the daughter of Claire Banks, Jr., a technician at Zeigler Chevrolet, located in Claysburg.
Rachel Couch
Rachel is a high school senior at East Pennsboro High School with plans to attend Liberty University next fall where she will major in Biology. Her career goal is to enter the corporate world of the medical field. Among her many achievements, and in addition to maintaining exemplary grades in her academic program of study (ranked first in her class at time of scholarship application entry), Rachel is heavily involved with the United Way, volunteering for their Day of Caring and serves as a Youth Allocation Panel Member, selecting agencies to receive funding; raised money to erect a statue as a memorial to six schoolmates who died during the 2001-2002 school year; volunteers at Schaner Senior Citizen Center; volunteers at Ronny Powley Center, a food closet for the needy; and volunteered as a buddy and concession stand worker for Special Olympics. She is the daughter of Thomas Couch, General Manager at Brenner Chrysler Jeep in Mechanicsburg.
Nicole Czarnecki
Nicole Czarnecki is a high school senior at Northern Lehigh High School with plans to attend Penn State University next fall where she will major in marketing and Chinese. Her career goal is to work in the corporate world. Along with her many achievements, Nicole is an active participant and leader in many charitable organizations. Among them, she is a volunteer at Cedarbrook Nursing Home performing dog therapy; assists Blue Mountain Athletic Association as a Youth Soccer Coach; frequently volunteers at church events; and organized and conducted Cancer benefits for a local resident. She is the daughter of Michael Czarnecki, Service Manager at Rentschler Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Slatington.
Jared Dougherty
Jared Dougherty is currently a college freshman at York College, majoring in nursing. His career goal is to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Jared volunteers at Senior Neighborhood Center; volunteers at Humane Society; volunteers at Special Olympics at Kutztown University; volunteers at Laurel Nursing Home; fundraises for Daffodil Days of American Cancer Society; and is a Pre-school Sunday School Class Aide. He is the son of Deborah Dougherty, a title clerk at Outten Kia in Hamburg.
Melanie Gumina
Melanie Gumina is a high school senior at Keystone Oaks High School with plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh next fall where she will major in nursing. Her career goal is to become a nurse practitioner. Melanie volunteers to support grieving children at Highmark Caring Place; raised funds for Haiti Earthquake victims; raised funds for breast cancer research; sings for residents of local nursing homes; is the director of church youth group musicals; plans events to help students make wise decisions about alcohol and drugs; and tutors middle and high school students in homework. She is the daughter of Michael Gumina, a technician at Power of Bowser in Pittsburgh.
Natalie Horrocks
Natalie Horrocks is a high school senior at Lackawanna Trail High School with plans to attend Keystone College next fall where she will major in early childhood education and special education. Her career goal is to work with children with disabilities. Among her many achievements, she is a Camp Volunteer for children with developmental disabilities; is the Children’s Choir director at her church; volunteers and Participates in Relay for Life; and organized a donation center to collect goods for the Humane Society. She is the daughter of Dianne Horrocks Dalton, Warranty Administrator at Sherwood Chevrolet in Tunkhannock.
Megan Mansmann
Megan Mansmann is a high school senior at Freeport Senior High School with plans to attend University of Pennsylvania next fall where she will major in biological basis of behavior. Her career goal is to work with addiction rehabilitation and become a neurologist. Megan organized and participated in an Alzheimer’s Walk; organized and participated in an "Awakathon", a fundraiser for The Global Fund; works to raises awareness of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in underprivileged countries; made blankets for a local domestic abuse shelter; made toys for a local animal shelter; and organized and conducted a book drive for the local library. She is the daughter of Joy Mansmann, who works in accounts receivable and payroll for Charapp Ford North in Natrona Heights.
Kathryn Prosser
Kathryn Prosser is a college sophomore at St. Francis University where she majors in physician assistant sciences. Kathryn has been a Relay for Life participant; participates in a food cupboard and a clothing bank for the local community; assembles Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for the less fortunate; participates with Make Pennsylvania Beautiful– Road clean-up programs; makes and delivers crafts to local cancer and maternity patients; and volunteers with the physically and mentally challenged She is the daughter of David Prosser, a technician at Ron Seidle Chevrolet in Clarion.
Taylor Pyle
Taylor Pyle is a high school senior at Franklin Area High School with plans to attend University of Pittsburgh-Titusville next fall where she will major in nursing. In addition to maintaining exemplary grades in her academic program of study, Taylor volunteers at UPMC Northwest as a Help Desk Liaison and Patient Escort and Guide; volunteers at the Church of the Beloved Disciple where she is a Pre-School Sunday School Aide and Teacher and Altar Server; and participates in mission trips, working with the poor and elderly. She is the daughter of John Brent Pyle, a diesel technician at Kenworth of Pennsylvania in Clintonville.
Breanne Robinson
Breanne Robinson is a high school senior at Delone Catholic High School with plans to attend Duquesne University next fall where she will major in marketing. Among her many achievements, she collects food and household items for victims of abuse; renovated the Immaculate Conception Thrift Shop; volunteers at a local elderly care facility; participates in the Why Wait? Program, to promote abstinence in youth; is a volunteer Youth Tennis and Basketball Coach; and participates in Relay for Life and makes cancer awareness bracelets for fundraisers. She is the granddaughter of Lynn Weaver from Lawrence Subaru in Hanover.
Matthew Ruhl
Matthew Ruhl is a college sophomore at Millersville University where he majors in technology education with plans to be a teacher. He is a vacation Bible School Volunteer at Faith Bible Fellowship Church; assists with Food Drives; visits Senior Homes; is a Puppet and Drama Ministry Participant; went on a Service Mission Trip to work with children and the elderly; and volunteers/chaperones an after school program for mentally disabled children. He is the son of Scott Ruhl, assistant service manager at Lancaster Toyota in East Petersburg.