GPA: Genoa Schools Scholarship Foundation celebrating 30 years

By: 
Press Staff Writer

        On Jan. 7, 1991, a group of local citizens founded the Genoa Area Education Foundation – a public charitable organization established to improve the opportunity for a quality education for Genoa Area Local Schools students.
        Russ Bless, Richard Iffland, Thomas Stanley, Daisy Takas, Robert Tank and Dennis Vine represented the small core of individuals who, through much time and effort, organized the foundation, which was renamed the Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation in November 2002.
        “We are now in our 30th year of operation and have continued to provide scholarships to graduating seniors,” foundation board member Diane Gerkensmeyer said.  “We are confident the foundation will continue to be a major source of support to graduating seniors from Genoa Area Local Schools.”
        In 2020, the foundation reported $1 million in assets benefiting the students in Genoa Area Local Schools. Last year, there were 43 individual scholarship funds that offered 69 scholarships to graduation students. In addition, at least 14 scholarships are given annually by various local businesses, organizations and individuals in conjunction with the foundation. The scholarships offered range in value from $300 up to $4,000.
        With the help of Tom Baker, Technology Director, Genoa Schools, the foundation moved from individual applications for each scholarship to one on-line application, making it much easier for students. “Many hours and even days are spent each year ensuring that all student applicants get their opportunity for well-deserved assistance,” Gerkensmeyer said.
        In 2004, foundation trustees established an Operating Expense Fund, which finances the foundation’s supplies and expenses. “This entity has many loyal and dedicated contributors; therefore, no dollars are used from the scholarship contributions that are received,” Gerkensmeyer said.
        “Thanks to Matt Hirt, Business and Technology teacher at Genoa High School, we now have a display on the wall near the auditorium entrance at the high school. This display includes the list of scholarships, memorials, and $100+ contributors,” she said.
        Current foundation trustees, in addition to Gerkensmeyer, include Alan Brown, Denise Hoyles, Mitchell Hoyles, Brian Huston and Chrissy Lewis.
        To learn more about the foundation or to make a donation, email ScholarshipFoundation@genoaschools.com, call 419-855-7741, ext. 21100 or contact one of the trustees. More details are also available by visiting www.genoaschools.com, click on Academics – Scholarship Foundation.
        Donations to the foundation are tax-deductible.
 
Glass City FCU offering scholarships
        Glass City Federal Credit Union is offering five scholarship awards, one in the amount of $2,500 and four in the amount of $1,000 to area students, who meet the following criteria:
        • The student will be attending a two- or four-year accredited post-secondary institution during the 2021-22 school year.
        • The student, or a parent, step-parent or legal guardian is a member of Glass City Federal;      
        • The student completes and submits the required application and essay by the deadline of March 31.
        Scholarship applications are available at any Glass City Federal branch or online at glasscityfcu.com.
 
Sandusky Co. Positive People scholarship
        Sandusky County Positive People (SCPP) is accepting scholarship applications.
        The 501(c)3 non-profit organization awards scholarships to area graduating seniors who have overcome a major obstacle in their lives and have come through those challenges with a positive attitude.
        Scholarships are available to seniors residing in Sandusky County or attending school in the county (public, non-public or home-school). Scholarships range in value year-to-year from $1,000-$3,500 or more. Applications are available online at www.scppohio.org and must be submitted online by Friday, Feb. 19.
        Scholarships are scheduled to be awarded at the SCPP High School Positive Living Award Breakfast which typically is held in the spring. The breakfast date has not been determined yet.
        SCPP began awarding scholarships in 2012. To date, the organization has awarded $179,950 to 79 students. Scholarships are funded via donations and fundraisers. The organization’s main fundraiser, the Summer Concert of the Year, is scheduled for Friday, July 16.
        For more details or to make a donation online, visit www.scppohio.org.
 
Terra State awarded grant
        Terra State Community College has received a Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
        The goal of RAPIDS grant is to develop strong education and training facilities for workforce demand fields.            The grant application was submitted by the Northwest Ohio Regional Training Hub (NORTH) consortium of educational partners, including Bowling Green State University, Northwest State Community College, Rhodes State College, University of Toledo, Defiance College, Ohio Northern University, Tiffin University, Four County Career Center, and Terra State Community College.
        Funds for the grant total up to $975,000. Terra State was awarded $128,400 of the total, which was used to purchase 12 Allen-Bradley Compact Logix training workstations for programmable logic controller (PLC) and electricity students.
        The training workstations are portable, allowing instructors to transport them around campus or to off-site locations for manufacturing training.
        “The CompactLogix workstations will enhance the Terra State credit and non-credit PLC courses that are in high demand by our manufacturing partners,” said Andrew Shella, dean of the skilled trades division. “Also, due to the portability of the CompactLogix trainers we will be able offer training not only on our campus but at employer locations in our community.”
 

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