Scholarships/Grants/Projects
Chester A. and Beulah A. Baum Memorial Scholarships
Established in the Trust Agreement of Chester A. Baum in 1981 the Baum Scholarships are for students currently graduating from Cranberry Area High School. The Baum Memorial Scholarship is a one year scholarship awarded based upon to financial need. The Scholarships are awarded to students planning to attend colleges, universities, technical or trade schools, nursing schools, or business colleges. The Baum Scholarship Committee considers scholastic achievement, test scores, and participation in school and community activities when selecting scholarship recipients.
Robert H. Bear Memorial Scholarship Fund
This permanent scholarship Fund is for graduating seniors at Franklin High School who have taken advanced mathematics courses for fifteen quarters. Applicants must be planning to attend a college, or university. The Scholarship is awarded to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average in advanced mathematics courses in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Susan L. Daniels Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Daniels Scholarship Fund was established in her memory by her family, friends, and associates and is dedicated to her interest in music and the arts. Two scholarships are awarded to the graduating seniors who have done the most to better the music department and themselves during their years at Rocky Grove High School and at Franklin Area High School. The Scholarship Committee considers the following when awarding a scholarship:
- Academic and extra curricular activities in music or related fields;
- Musical abilities and contributions to performances and
- Possible plans to pursue an education in music.
Anna M. Ewalt Scholastic Award Fund
The Anna M. Ewalt Scholastic Fund was established to honor the memory of Anna M. Ewalt, Franklin High School Class of 1923, and elementary teacher for 44 years. The purpose of the Fund is:
- To exalt the teaching profession to the young people of Franklin High School and
- To provide an annual award to the Franklin High School graduating senior who ranks the highest academically.
Walter H. Flinchbaugh Memorial Fund
This Fund was established in the memory of Walter H. Flinchbaugh. His will allows the Foundation discretion in distributing the proceeds from the Flinchbaugh Fund with the following prioritized preferences.
- The primary preference is to provide scholarships for graduates of Cranberry Area High School who are planning to attend a college, technical school or trade school. Preference will be given to students attending Clarion University of Pennsylvania, at Clarion Pennsylvania. The Scholarship Committee will consider the following when awarding a scholarship:
- Academic achievement including -- courses taken and grade point average;
- Extra curricular activities in Cranberry Area Schools;
- Financial need;
- Likelihood of success as a college or university student and
- Community activities.
- The second preference is for distributions to the following charities that are to be used in Venango County to benefit Venango County Residents.
- The Salvation Army
- Good Hope Lutheran Church
- Boy Scouts and Boy Scout Troops
- Girl Scouts and Girl Scout Troops
- Visiting Nurses of Venango County
- Red Cross of Venango County and
- Venango County Area Agency on Aging
- The Foundation may make distributions to other charities located in and benefiting residents of Venango County as the Foundation determines to be in the best interest of the community. These other distributions are allowed only after considering all of the needs and requests for Flinchbaugh Memorial Scholarships and the charities named above.
Jean Lucille Frank Scholarship Fund
This Fund was established in the will of Jean Lucille Frank. The Fund is to be used for a scholarship to the “outstanding senior soprano from Oil City High School to further her classical music education”. The scholarship is to be for the outstanding soprano” who, without such assistance, might not be able to continue her education”.
Francis E. Gibbons Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Gibbons Scholarship was established in memory of Francis E. Gibbons who died in a fire at the Penzoil Refinery in 1997. Applicants must be graduating seniors at Franklin High School who are attending the Venango Area Vocational Technical School and are studying carpentry. Applicants must be planning to attend a college, technical school or trade school. The Scholarship Committee will consider the following when awarding a scholarship.
- Grade point average
- Financial need and
- Occupational plans
Eugene F. Hanna Scholarship Fund
Established under the Will of Eugene F. Hanna, this scholarship is for graduating seniors at Franklin High School that are planning to attend a college, or university in the United States. The Scholarship Committee will consider the need and ability of applicants when awarding a scholarship. The following will be considered:
- Grade point average
- Financial need and
- Occupational plans
Janet L. Henc Scholarship Fund
This scholarship Fund was established by Mr. Robert Henc in memory of his wife Janet. Scholarship applicants must be high school graduates who are members of the Galloway United Methodist Church. The applicant must be continuing their secular education beyond high school at a four (4) year college or university. The Scholarship Committee from the Galloway United Methodist Church will consider the following when awarding a scholarship.
- Grade point average and
- Financial need
The William H. Locke Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established in the Trust Agreement of Mildred T. Locke in 1976, the Locke Scholarships are for students currently graduating from the Oil City Area High School. The Locke Scholarship is a one year scholarship. The scholarships are awarded according to financial need to students planning to attend colleges, universities, technical or trade schools, nursing schools, or business colleges. The Locke Scholarship Committee gives consideration to scholastic achievement, test scores, and participation in school and community activities when selecting scholarship recipients. An addition was made to the Locke Fund from the estate of Donald K. Slick in 1998.
The Vera A. Lamey Memorial Scholarship
Established under the Will of Vera A. Lamey this scholarship is for worthy students from the senior class at the Oil City Area High School. Scholarships are awarded to students planning to attend colleges, universities, technical or trade schools, nursing schools, or business colleges or other job related education or training. The Foundation Distribution Committee is to select financial needy students that hold promise for academic and personal achievement and success in their endeavors. Using the discretion allowed the distribution committee has decided that the Lamey Scholarship will be used to assist students facing special challenges and provide scholarships that will complete the financial aid needed for a student to attend a school for up to four years.
John R. Loeffler Memorial Golf Scholarship
This scholarship Fund was established by friends in memory of John R. Loeffler who was the long time golf professional at Wanango Country Club. To be eligible for a Loeffler Scholarship, the applicant must be a graduate of a high school in Venango County or Titusville Area High School, Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School or Clarion Area High School. The applicant must be proficient in the sport of golf and may desire to pursue a career in golf and plan to attend a college or university with a golf team. The scholarship will be awarded to assist such a student in furthering his or her education at an accredited college or university. This is a one year scholarship.
Maxine Miller Scholarship Fund
This Scholarship Fund was established by the family and friends of Maxine Miller, a drug and alcohol counselor at Decision House. Scholarships or loans are restricted to:
- High School graduates residing in Venango County who plan to prepare for a career in drug and alcohol counseling and
- Must be recovering from addictions and have a minimum of three years of sobriety.
J. Bowman Proper Memorial Scholarship Fund
The J. Bowman Proper Charitable Trust that serves Forest County makes an annual grant to the Foundation to provide scholarships for West Forest High School graduates who are Forest County residents. These one year scholarships are awarded to attend technical or trade schools, colleges, universities, nursing schools or business colleges for tuition, laboratory fees, books, room and/or board. The Proper Charitable Trust Committee serves as the Scholarship Selection Committee. The following are considered when awarding scholarships:
- Grade point average
- Financial need and
- Occupational plans
R. Jay Reynolds Memorial Trust
This scholarship Fund was established in the Will of Jane B. Reynolds in memory of her son R. Jay Reynolds. The income from this Fund is distributed annually by the Foundation to the Charity Committee of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Franklin Lodge 110. The Charity Committee is responsible for awarding scholarships to students that are graduates of the Franklin Area School District or Valley Grove Area School District.
Franklin Rotary - Jay French Miller Scholarship Fund
This scholarship Fund was established in memory of Jay French Miller by a gift from his wife Mrs. Ruth A. Miller and a contribution from the Franklin Rotary Club. The Franklin Rotary Club is offering this scholarship for Venango County high school seniors with outstanding community service in order to reinforce the development of a commitment to volunteer services among our high school students. The priority criteria for selecting Scholarship recipient(s) is:
- Demonstrated community service activities;
- Involvement in high school activities including awards and honors and
- Academic achievement including: class standing, course grades and SAT scores.
The Committee may also consider the following in selecting Scholarship recipient(s)
- Rotary Club membership by parents
- Future educational plans
Virginia Gordon Russell Scholarship
This scholarship Fund was created by Virginia Gordon Russell as a Fund within the Foundation. Persons who plan to prepare for a career in engineering, science or mathematics who are Franklin High School graduates and/or the lineal descendants of Samuel Gordon or George Dewoody, pioneer settlers in Venango County, Pennsylvania, may apply for this scholarship. Proof of relationship as a descendant can determine by researching two books at the Franklin Public Library: Gordons of Western Pennsylvania and The Dewoody Family of Venango County Pennsylvania. Birth records for the applicant, parents, and (if needed) for grandparents and previous descendants will be accepted as proof of decent. Applicants are required to submit an essay of 250 words on how their education in engineering, science, or mathematics will be of value to their Community and Country.
Mary E. Shaner Scholarship Fund
Established under the Will of Mary E. Shaner, this scholarship is for graduating seniors at Keystone High School who are planning to attend a college, technical school or trade school. The Scholarship Committee will consider the following when awarding a scholarship:
- Grade point average
- Financial need and
- Occupational plans
Preference is given to students enrolling in Clarion University of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and/or Thiel College. This is a performance scholarship. In order to receive the scholarship award, the successful applicant must receive a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 point scale for one semester. The scholarship will not be paid until the college or university the applicant is attending has sent the applicants official transcript for the previously completed semester.
Venus Telephone Corporation Scholarship
The Venus Telephone Corporation makes an annual gift to the Foundation for this scholarship. The Venus Telephone Corporation Scholarship is for graduating seniors from Cranberry Area High School planning to enroll in college and who live in the Venus Telephone Corporation Service Area (354-xxxx). This is a one year scholarship. Applicants must apply for a Baum Scholarship to be eligible for the Venus Telephone Corporation Scholarship.
Mary Louise Brown Whiting Memorial Fund
Mr. Gifford E. Whiting created the Mary Louise Brown Whiting Memorial Fund within the Foundation in memory of his wife, a long time teacher. The Whiting Memorial Fund was established to accept and generate funds to insure and enhance the teaching knowledge of Franklin Area School District teachers. The Fund will support the opportunity for the teachers of the Franklin Area School District to take collegiate courses in mathematics or science and will be used to provide the opportunity for Franklin School District secondary school teachers to improve their talents and ability to provide instruction in mathematics or science by:
- Providing stipends as an incentive to take advanced college courses and
- Providing awards for the incidental expenses related to taking college courses.
The Franklin Area School District Assistant Superintendent, after reviewing the continuing education plans of secondary school teachers currently employed by the Franklin Area School District, selects one teacher who plans to take college courses in mathematics or science and who would benefit from a stipend and/or payment of incidental expenses. The awards are for one year only.
Grace Woods Nellis Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established by Dr. Carol N. Maurer in memory of her mother. An annual scholarship of award $1,000 is made to the Rocky Grove High School senior in the academic course of study who has achieved the second highest grade point average upon graduation. The recipient must be a graduating senior student who has been in attendance at Rocky Grove High School for at least one full year, and the scholarship award recipient must enroll in and attend an accredited four-year college or university.
Julia Wood Smith Charitable Trust
National City Bank of Pennsylvania petitioned the court to have the Venango Area Community Foundation became the trustee of the Julia Wood Smith Charitable Trust in 2000. The will of Julia A. Smith calls for two permanent Funds.
The Wood-Noble Memorial Scholarship Fund — Honors the ancestors of Julia A. Smith, Barnard Wood and Mark Noble. The Wood-Noble Scholarship is given annually to the students from the Franklin and Rocky Grove High Schools who are awarded the Good Citizen’s Award and the American History Award presented annually by the Venango Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Scholarships provide financial aid in the event that the Award winners desire to go to college, university, technical or trade school, nursing school or Business College.
The Young Wood Scholarship Fund — Scholarship applicants must be high school students from any high school located in Venango County who are planning to attend an educational institution beyond high school. The applicants must be students that had grades in the upper twenty (20%) percent of their high school class for at least two years prior to their graduation from high school. Scholarship applicants are to be selected from an economic group who otherwise might not be able to attend an institution of higher learning. The Scholarship Committee considers the following when awarding a scholarship.
- Grade point average
- Financial need and
- Occupational plans
206 Seneca Street ~ Oil City, PA 16301 ~ tel: 814-677-8687