Sebring, West Branch students net J.L. Francis Scholarships

Special to The Alliance Review
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Recipients of the J.L. Francis Scholarship were recognized May 13 during a ceremony.
Recipients of the J.L. Francis Scholarship were recognized May 13 during a ceremony.

Twenty-two members of the Class of 2022 from Mahoning County were recognized May 13 as recipients of the J.L. Francis Scholarship.

The scholarship, which provides $1,000 to each of its recipients, was established in honor of Jeffery Francis in 2006. The award is presented to one student in each of Mahoning County’s public high schools, chartered Christian schools, one student from Ursuline High School, one from Cardinal Mooney High School, and one vocational student from the MCCTC and Youngstown Choffin.

Each school selects 10 students to apply for the scholarship. Students with a 3.0 grade-point average and demonstrated commitment to the community through volunteer service are eligible. Each student then must submit a career essay, a letter of reference, and an application to be considered for the award.

Recipients were Devyn Reggi, Sebring High School; Liana Gabrelcik, West Branch High School; Alivia Franklin, Austintown Fitch; Arabella Malie, Boardman; Courtney King, Campbell Memorial; Jacqueline Palusak, Canfield; Jack Pepperney, Cardinal Mooney; Amer'ice Rodriguez, Chaney; Victwhon Nixon, Choffin CTC; Carson Dota, Columbiana; Lehana Leeper, East; Logan Sokol, Jackson-Milton; Emily Wilaj, Lowellville; Lindsey Knauf, Mahoning County CTC; Carmen D'Alesio, Poland Seminary; Quentin Pew, South Range; Anna Duraney, Springfield; Daniella Mendel, Struthers; Joseph Carlini, Ursuline; Hannah Arduini, Valley Christian Schools; Emmy McCracken, Western Reserve; and Kaila Anderson, Youngstown Rayen Early College.

The scholarship is part of the First Place Community Fund, which is a component of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. Jeffery Francis was a banker who led the FFY Financial Corporation prior to its merging into the First Place Bank. He served First Place Bank and First Place Financial Corporation prior to his death in February 2005 from complications of Lou Gherig’s Disease.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Sebring, West Branch students net J.L. Francis Scholarships