Opportunities Grow Here…
PROF Announces Nine Scholarships

In a time when many families are struggling, the Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund is helping a variety of students realize their dream through community donated scholarships.

The Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund is announcing the offering of nine scholarships that are available to the Class of 2009. New this year, is the Gallagher-Lynne Scholarship for $5,000 and the Heartland Homes Scholarship for $1,000.

The number of scholarships offered to seniors has more than quadrupled in the past four years. In all, nearly $20,000 will be awarded at the senior awards program on May 28, 2009 at 7 p.m.

The scholarships not only benefit accomplished students, but we also fund scholarships for those in financial need, students with strong community service and students with learning challenges.

PROF President Don Foster is proud of what the fund represents.

“The Pine Richland Opportunities Fund reflects the communities concern for excellence in the district,” Foster explains. “The fund provides senior students and families the needed money to pursue their academic and vocational goals. Being a fiscally responsible, community based 501(c) 3 tax deductible organization, people find it a great vehicle to establish a scholarship where they the donor help set the criteria. It makes it very personal and it is a great way to give back. More and more people are considering PROF in their estate planning.”

This year’s scholarships include:

Foster Family Scholarship ($2,000) - This scholarship is available to seniors who have attended Pine-Richland High School their junior and senior years and have participated in a learning support program.

Gallagher-Lynne Scholarship ($5,000) - This scholarship is available to students, who are entering a fully accredited public or private four-year college or university with plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent. Special consideration will be given to those applicants who can demonstrate they will be unable to attend the college or university of their choice without this scholarship.

Heartland Homes Scholarship ($1,000) - (Deadline: April 3, 2009) This scholarship is available to students who plan to attend a college/university or art school to pursue a degree and then career in interior design, engineering or art.

Jeff Calhoun Performing Arts Award ($5,000) - (Deadline Extended to April 30, 2009) This scholarship is available to a Pine-Richland senior student who is planning to pursue a career in theater arts. Applicants are responsible for making a video and submitting it in DVD format for review.

Pasquinelli Insurance Scholarship ($1,000) - (Deadline: April 3, 2009) This scholarship is available to seniors who have attended Pine-Richland High School for four years and have participated in at least three extracurricular activities throughout high school.

Ruth V. Mattison/Ruth Lefevre Long Memorial Scholarship ($1,250) – (Deadline: April 3, 2009) This scholarship is available to a Pine-Richland senior who meets the criteria and is accepted into an accredited program leading to a degree in elementary or early childhood education.

Richland Civic Club ($1,000) – (Deadline: April 3, 2009) This scholarship is available to seniors show evidence of leadership in the community and/or within the school district.

Ron Steiner Excellence in Communications Memorial Scholarship Award ($1,000) - (Deadline: April 3, 2009) This scholarship is available to seniors who demonstrate a genuine interest in the communication field and plan on majoring in a communication-related field (sports information, public relations, journalism, marketing, advertising and communication).

Scott Crawford Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - (Deadline: April 3, 2009) This student must also be a member of the National Honor Society, participated in one interscholastic athletic program for at least three seasons and five extracurricular activities throughout high school. See application for additional criteria.

Scholarship applications can be downloaded at www.pinerichland.org/oppfund.html. All scholarships are due into the PRHS Guidance Office, 700 Warrendale Road, Gibosnia, PA 15044 by April 3, 2009, except for the Calhoun scholarship which is due by: April 30, 2009.

Fosters encourage seniors to take advantage of this offer of free money.

Beyond the scholarships, PROF funds throughout the year, numerous curriculum enhancing grants such as the Hance Shelter and Study Island program. There is a limited amount of money available this year for grants. Please visit www.pinerichland.org/oppfund.html to download a grant application form.

PROF also functions as a connection point for alumni. Most recently, PROF sponsored the update of the PR Alumni Directory, which is currently being published.

The PROF Board is made up of President Don Foster, Vice President Michael Young, Treasurer Larry Schuster and Secretary Cindy Dillen and trustees Sally Beatty, Hank Compernolle, Thomas Doaty, Barbara Freitag, Leo Gensante, Liz Gensante, Paul Hightower, Linda Honeywill, David Lemley, Beth Montgomery, Janet Rader and Patti Sinetar. Non-voting Trustees include: PR School Director Stephen Hawbaker, PREA President Jill Linsz, Superintendent of Schools Dr. James C. Manley and Co-Executive directors Anthony DiTommaso and Rachel Hathhorn.

People can contribute directly to the Pine Richland Opportunities Fund or through the United Way of Allegheny donor #921848. To learn about the fund, check out the district’s website at http://www.pinerichland.org/oppfund.html or contact any of the trustees or co-executive directors at (724) 625-7773, ext. 6202.