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Foundation Awards Over $100,000 In Scholarships For the 2025-2026 Academic Year

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is set to award over $100,000 in scholarships to deserving students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This includes $63,250 designated for the Supporting Scholars program, which encompasses the Emerging Leader Scholarship ($2,000 annually per student) and the Presidential Scholarship ($6,000 annually per student) for both first-year and second-year recipients. The Foundation will also award 20 scholarships, collectively amounting to $37,000, to students.

Those being awarded scholarships include:

Supporting Scholars – Presidential Scholarship

First Year

• Gina Lane (Elmora, PA)
• Skyler Wilson (South Fork, PA)

Second Year

• Gina Pettenati (Ashville, PA)
• Sydney Scott (Boswell, PA)

Supporting Scholars – Emerging Leader Scholarship

First Year

• Ellie Bender (Ashville, PA)
• Emily Bennett (Johnstown, PA)
• Bree Carnahan (Penn Run, PA)
• Bella Francona (Claysburg, PA)
• Lilliana Hardman (Martinsburg, PA)
• Brianna Litzinger (Johnstown, PA)
• Riley Olish (Northern Cambria, PA)
• Lakin Pierce (Hastings, PA)
• Maleigha Younkin (Confluence, PA)

Second Year

• Ava Dobransky (Northern Cambria, PA)
• Tori Harrison (Portage, PA)
• Emmie Johns (South Fork, PA)
• Lauren Lockard (Portage, PA)
• Hannah Miklos (Johnstown, PA)
• Jacob Nolan (Portage, PA)
• Kaitlin Smith (Martinsburg, PA)
• Ethan Usrey (Johnstown, PA)
• Emma Weicht (Everett, PA)

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Johnstown Branch Scholarship

• Caitlyn Carnahan (Patton, PA)

College Employee-Supported Scholarship

• Shelby Criss (Monongahela, PA)

Dale W. Miller Scholarship

• Jacob Buckley (Mapleton Depot, PA)

Daniel and Diane Holtzman Scholarship

• Cameron Middleton (South Fork, PA)

Dr. Anna D. Weitz Scholarship

• Gina Pettenati (Ashville, PA)

Dr. Edward Haluska Scholarship

• Makiah Schartiger (Confluence, PA)

Dr. Walter and Kim Asonevich Scholarship

• Arlina Whitaker (Hollidaysburg, PA)

Gaynelle Schmieder Memorial Scholarship

• Bailey Norris (Huntingdon, PA)
• Shelby Criss (Monongahela, PA)

Griffith Family Scholarship

• Bailey Norris (Huntingdon, PA)

Huntingdon Hope Scholarship

• Jacob Buckley (Mapleton Depot, PA)

Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship

• Kathy Walker (Windber, PA)
• AJ Biggs (Johnstown, PA)
• Wayne Manna (Johnstown, PA)
• Kyree Bowie (Johnstown, PA)
• Allison Drass (Altoona, PA)
• Zakareyah Salem (Johnstown, PA)
• Gracie Pfeil (Johnstown, PA)

Joe and Ruth Corle Memorial Scholarship

• Ethan Usrey (Johnstown, PA)

Joseph and Joan Mangarella Scholarship

• Shelby Criss (Monongahela, PA)
• Felicia Waybright (Bedford, PA)

Kathy Holtzman Memorial Scholarship

• Cameron Middleton (South Fork, PA)

Learning Lamp Scholarship

• Jasmine LaRue (Johnstown, PA)

Roth Family Scholarship

• Lilliana Hardman (Martinsburg, PA)
• Arlina Whitaker (Hollidaysburg, PA)

Sara & Salvatore (Sam) Valenty Scholarship

• Alex Crist (New Paris, PA)

Spruce Street Animal Clinic Scholarship

• Jacob Buckley (Mapleton Depot, PA)
• Bailey Norris (Huntingdon, PA)

Ursula Pawlowski Memorial Scholarship

• Makiah Schartiger (Confluence, PA)

“It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and hard work of these students being recognized,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “These scholarships not only reward their past achievements, but also invest in their future potential. Penn Highlands recognizes that student success can provide individuals with the opportunity to change their lives.”

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation 
Established in 1995, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is a non-profit educational trust under Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation seeks and secures financial support to advance the mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College by fostering relationships and managing resources. It focuses on providing scholarships, supporting academic programs, and promoting faculty and staff development to meet the College’s and community’s educational needs. Through donations, events, grants, and deferred giving, the Foundation enriches student opportunities and strengthens community partnerships.