Genesee ARC Scholarship Winners Announced

Genesee ARC Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship recipients Emily Hopkins, Danielle Hirtzel and Ashlea Harmon with Scholarship Committee Chair, Charles Graney.

Teens from Batavia, Oakfield-Alabama and Churchville-Chili High Schools are the recipients of the 2010 Genesee ARC Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarships.  The $1,000.00 scholarship awards were presented May 25 at the Genesee ARC Community Center to Ashlea Harmon, Danielle Hirtzel and Emily Hopkins.

A member of the Batavia High School Class of 2010, Ashlea plans to attend Genesee Community College, then transfer to a four-year school to complete her course of study in Elementary Education, specializing in Special Education. Ashlea has given her time and talent to several volunteer opportunities such as Special Olympics, Challenger Sports, the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group Auction, Salvation Army and numerous Genesee ARC community events. She is also an active member of the National Technical Honor Society.

Danielle is graduating from Oakfield-Alabama High School and intends to pursue her career in Childhood Special Education. Danielle has dedicated many hours of community service helping with Challenger Sports, Stephen’s Table, Friends of Rachel program and other worthy causes. She is active in Girls Scouts, high school band, swim team, Library Club and a member of the National Honor Society.  She will be attending SUNY Brockport in the fall.

The third recipient, Emily Hopkins, plans to attend SUNY Oneonta, to study Psychology, with aspirations of obtaining her Master’s Degree in School Psychology.  A student at Churchville-Chili High School, Emily has volunteered many hours of service with Special Olympics, Batavia YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, Challenger Sports and Genesee ARC special events. She is very active in extra-curricular activities with her school and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Three $1,000.00 scholarships are awarded to high school seniors each year interested in working in human services, special education or related fields.  The scholarship is in honor of Mary Anne Graney, a special education teacher, who died in 2004. According to Genesee ARC Scholarship Committee Chair, Charles Graney, “The scholarship is a living memorial, honoring Mary Anne’s commitment to Genesee ARC and enriching the lives of people with disabilities.”