Chalked Up: Campus walks encouraged at CCBC; Ellwood City memorial scholarship awarded
While there are plenty of scenic spots around Beaver County to exercise, the newest series of walking trails offered to the community provides some unique paths often used by students during the fall.
The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) has introduced a new set of trails located around the school's campus, giving the public a way to exercise while exploring the location in Center Township. Designed by business professor Paul Rodgers, the walking trails feature a variety of fitness stops for walkers and several rest areas for dog walking care.
“The CCBC Walking Trails provide a safe, comfortable community location for people to exercise on all levels," Rodgers said. "The pet-friendly environment attracts community members, staff, and students and is a basic ingredient to a healthy lifestyle."
The map includes six different routes for the public to travel, ranging from 890 feet "strolls" through the courtyard and 1-mile "hikes" that include several staircases or inclines. Several paths along the map also include larger roadways with shaded portions, making the routes well-suited for walking trips with dogs as company.
While many of the pathways already existed throughout the campus, the new trail program was created through a donation to the CCBC Foundation. According to officials, these funds helped Rogers achieve his mission to create an environment with mapped walking trails available for the public.
“Professor Rogers is a true example of dedication, selflessness, and community spirit,” said Kolton Codner, executive director of the CCBC Foundation. “He has poured his resources and time into creating the fitness and walking trail at the Community College of Beaver County. Through his unwavering commitment, he has paved the path to a healthier future, inspiring countless individuals to embrace an active lifestyle. Professor Rogers' remarkable contributions stand as a testament to the transformative power of passion and generosity, leaving an indelible mark on both the college and the community it serves.”
Lincoln High School grad receives scholarship from McDonald's of Ellwood City
Representatives for the McDonald's of Ellwood City have announced that Grady Smith, a recent graduate of Lincoln High School, will be this year's recipient of the annual Dom Viccari-McDonald’s of Ellwood City Scholarship.
According to a statement from the business, Smith received $1,000 for his college tuition through the award in honor of his academic achievements, leadership abilities and community service. The annual scholarship serves as a way for the Elwood City community to remember former borough manager and Ellwood City Ledger employee Dom Viccari, who died at age 89 last year.
"This scholarship represents more than being a good student,” said Paul Sweeney, owner and operator of McDonald’s of Ellwood City and several other locations across western Pennsylvania. "Grady is receiving this scholarship because he demonstrates academic excellence, but he also plays a big part in his community through his various activities and leadership roles, which is exactly what Dom stood for to make Ellwood City a better place.”
In their award, officials commended Smith's community service work and dedication to Ellwood City, which echoes the impact that Viccari had on the region over his lifetime. In addition to laying the necessary groundwork for the local McDonald's location on Fifth Street, Viccari's dedication to making the community a better place and helping his neighbors is what makes the scholarship special to those in the community.
“Grady has been a remarkable student throughout this schooling, and it is an honor to present him with a scholarship in my husband’s name,” said Meghan Sweeney, owner and operator of several local McDonald's locations and daughter of Paul Sweeney. “He is the kind of person that creates change in communities, and I know he will continue to do so wherever he goes.”
The Dom Viccari-McDonald’s of Ellwood City Scholarship is open to all seniors graduating from Lincoln High School or Riverside High School who plan on attending a two-year or four-year vocational or academic school. More information about next year's application process will be announced at a later date.
CCBC's aviation program goes statewide with online piloting courses
Starting this fall, many students across Pennsylvania will be able to utilize CCBC's nationally recognized School of Aviation Sciences program from their own hometowns.
In a recent announcement from the college, the Beaver County-based flight program announced they will begin to offer their Professional Pilot associate degrees in an online format. When enrolled in this updated program, students will be able to complete academic courses online and participate in flight training at one of nine partnered flight schools located in Pennsylvania.
“The United States continues to experience a vast piloting shortage with Boeing alone predicting a need for 600,000 pilots in the next two decades,” said John Higgs, dean of the School of Aviation Sciences. “With high-quality flight providers across the state on board, we can offer lucrative career opportunities to more students and meet industry demands broadly and quickly.”
Flight schools partnered with CCBC will include Aces Aviation, AirQuest Aviation, Fly Legacy Aviation, High Flight Academy, Laurel Highlands Aeronautical Academy, Moore Aviation, Moyer Aviation, the Pittsburgh Flight Training Center, Nulton Aviation Flight Academy and Ravotti Air. By spreading their wings across the state, CCBC's flight instructors hope to increase access to their acclaimed flight program and address the declining number of pilots in the United States.
“CCBC’s online Professional Pilot program will allow students across the state to receive first-class academic instruction from our faculty while learning hands-on at a flight school close to home,” said CCBC President Roger W. Davis. “This virtual portal gives students access to an education that can take them anywhere in the world.”
Other education news to note:
Members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association have passed a resolution supporting new legislation that would create a free meal program for Pennsylvania students. The announcement of support focuses on two state-level bills, introduced by Rep. Emily Kinkead and Sen. Lindsey Williams, which would allow 0.007% to 0.01% of the state's previous budget to give food access to students at public schools.
The Education Partnership hosted its 4th Annual Teacher Appreciation Awards in early June, where members of the group named State Street Elementary School principal JoAnn Hoover as "Principal of the Year." According to a release from the Ambridge Area School District, Hoover has set an example for the community through "outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact on the educational community."
The Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society announced that Alexis Patton, of Monaca, will be this year's recipient of their Zeta Scholarship. The award of $1,000 is given to women attending college who have graduated from high schools in Beaver County with a QPA of 3.0 or higher. According to the organization, Patton is a senior at Slippery Rock University and majoring in early childhood and special education.
Members of Monaca's Redeemer Trinity Lutheran Church awarded scholarships to several students within their congregation in June. According to a release from the Trinity Redeemer Scholarship Committee, the $3,000 Francona Scholarship was awarded to graduating high school senior Issac Thompson, who will be attending Geneva College in the fall. Several students already enrolled in college programs received the Albert and Elizabeth Keppen Scholarship, valued at $2,000 each. Students included in this award included Delanie O'Brien, Josh Reed, Kate Robertson, Hope Stancec, Faith Tooch and Zoe Tooch.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Chalked Up: Campus walks encouraged at CCBC; memorial scholarship awarded
