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Area students win Italian-American scholarship

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Tyler John Bove, Peters Township High School, has earned a 5.56 weighted GPA in an academic curriculum that includes 12 Advanced Placement courses and a College in High School computer programming course. Tyler has been a participant in the Spanish Club, Math Club and Interact Club. He serves as a Student Ambassador and volunteers at the Peters Township Public Library and works at Dunkin’ Donuts. Tyler plans to attend the University of Notre Dame as an economics major, with the goal of becoming a college professor. He is the son of Patrick and Terri Bove.

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Megan Marie Bowers, Canon-McMillan High School, ranks in the top 5 percent of her graduating class. Megan is a member of the Canonettes, Lacrosse team, Student Council, Peer Jury, National Honor Society and Latin Honor Society. She also serves as a lead mentor and was a member of the homecoming court. Megan was a volunteer for the Pittsburgh 10 Miler, Pittsburgh Educational Partnership, Jack O Lantern Jog, Santa Fund, and an alter server. She has shadowed doctors and physician assistants at the Fulton County Medical Center. Enrolled as a physician’s assistant studies major at the Duquesne University, Megan plans to become a physicians assistant. She is the daughter of Mark and Mary Bucy Bowers.

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Autumn Kimberly Carroll, Ringgold High School, maintains a 4.09 weighted GPA. Autumn is captain of the Color Guard, treasurer of the Foreign Language Club, and a member of National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Interact Club, Jazz Choir and SADD. She has participated in the Mock Trial, musical, Relay for Life and the Future is Mine. She is also a food pantry coordinator, classroom assistant to aid kindergarten teachers and a church youth representative. Autumn will pursue a career in teaching at Slippery Rock University as a mathematics major. She is the daughter of Christopher and Kimberly Meucci Carroll.

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Dominic Lawrence Clutter, Bethlehem-Center High School, is ranked first in his graduating class. Dominic is a member of the basketball team, soccer team, track team, softball team, band, marching band, chorus, Show Choir, Drama Club, Language Club, Science Club, LEO Club, Academic League, Student Council, National Honor Society and Envirothon. He has participated in Relay for Life, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, STEM Team competition which placed first in regionals and third in state, and for four years in Hometown IQ, placing as a 2018 semifinalist. Dominic will attend Youngstown State University as an engineering major, and plans to become an engineer. Dominic is the son of Lawrence and Ronelle Clutter.

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Marissa Arlene Filby, Mon Valley Career and Technical Center and Charleroi Area High School, is enrolled in an arts and design program. Marissa is a member of National Technical Honors Society, Mon Valley CTC Bots IQ Team and Drama Club Stage Crew. She has served as stage manager and was recognized as the Charthene Club’s Girl of the Month, BFW Vo-Tech Student of the Month and received honors from the Society of Torch and Laurel. Marissa is a member of the Monongahela Historical Society and the Centerville American Legion Junior Auxiliary. She has participated in Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week. As an experienced equestrian, she has been recognized as a Grand Champion Reserve at 4-H Horse Show, and Equestrian of the Year. Marissa plans to pursue a career as a forensic pathologist by attending Penn State University as a forensic biology major. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Linda Filby.

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Mark Steven Frazee II, Washington High School, graduates first in his class with a 4.54 GPA while enrolled in an academic program that includes a significant number of AP and College in High School courses. Upon graduating from high school, Mark will have earned 35 to 40 College in High School/AP credits. Mark is a member of the track and field team, Student Council and National Honor Society, serving as treasurer. Through the Challenge Program, he has been cited for academic excellence and excellence in STEM courses. Mark has volunteered with Toys for Tots and the Citywide Development Project. He works at Kennywood Amusement Park. By attending Duquesne University in the multi-platform journalism program, Mark plans to become a news broadcaster. Mark is the son of Mark and Sandra Tracanna Frazee.

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Nicholas Joseph Hooper, Burgettstown Area High School, maintains a 4.22 weighted GPA. Nicholas is a member of the golf team, National Honor Society, Ski Club, Spanish Club, Guitar Club and 4-H. He has received honors of perfect attendance from Range Resources, and the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Nicholas is a junior assistant with the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department, where he participates in fundraising, training and emergency calls. He also volunteers at Trinity West Hospital and donates fruit and vegetables to the Greater Washington Food Bank harvested from his own cultivated fruit orchard and garden. Nicholas is employed at a garden center. With a career goal of becoming an agricultural engineer, Nicholas will attend Penn State University as an engineering student. He is the son of John and Rosa Veltri Hooper.

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Margaret Coen McIlvaine, Trinity Area High School, graduates in the top 5 percent of her class with a 4.73 GPA. Margaret is a member of the National Honor Society, German Honor Society, Student Council Leadership Committee, SADD, STEAM Team (Chairperson) and track and field (Captain). She has participated in the high school musical, Model United Nations, Model European Union and Mock Trial. Margaret has received awards that include PA Junior Academy of Science second place, Supreme Court Justice at Keystone Girls State and ZONTA Award. She volunteers at Washington Hospital and Washington City Mission. As a biology major at Wake Forest University, Margaret plans to become a nurse practitioner. She is the daughter of Andrew and Jill Luppino McIlvaine.

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Michael David Paluda, Chartiers-Houston High School, graduates first in his class with a 4.27 GPA with a rigorous curriculum that includes five College inHigh School and eight AP classes. Michael is a member of the basketball team, baseball team, track and field team, Leo Club, Light Video Sound Club and National Business Honor Society. Michael is captain of the Academic Team and football team, president of Matheletes, treasurer of National Honor Society, chairperson of the State Project Basket of the FBLA, and team leader in Hometown High-Q and Academic World Quest. Michael has placed first in business math, parliamentary procedure and management information systems in regional FBLA competitions. Enrolled at Penn State University with a major in computer science, Mark plans to become a software engineer. He is the son of David and Francis Mele Paluda.

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Serafina Maria Samosky, Canon-McMillan High School, is in the top 6 percent of her class with a 4.47 GPA. Serafina is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Latin National Honor Society, Spanish Club, American Chemical Society Chemistry Club, Student Council, SEC Club and soccer team. Serafina is a member of the Lead Mentor Program and an academic tutor. She volunteers in Operation Santa and served on a mission trip to Philippi, W.Va. Serafina’s career goal is to be a Certified Public Accountant by attending Duquesne University as an accounting major. She is the daughter of Thomas and Gina Croce Samonsky.

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Savanna Lee Spazak, Charleroi Area High School, graduates in the top 7 percent of her class with a 4.25 GPA. Savanna is a member of National Honor Society, STEM Club, Art Club and Academic League. She has participated in Mock Trials, serves as a peer tutor and received the Community Service Award through the Challenge Program. As an active member of the FBLA, Savanna received first place in word processing, computer management and State Leadership Competition. Savanna plans to become a mechanical engineer by attending Penn State University as an engineering student. She is the daughter of Frank and Leanne Cardinale Spazak.

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Benjamin Thorell Zeisloft, Peters Township High School, has a 5.64 GPA while enrolled in a program of studies that included 14 AP Courses and a College in High School class in cyber security and law. Benjamin serves as president of the Speech and Debate Club and FBLA, is founding member of the PTHS National Economics Challenge Team and is director of business development of STEEL Serpents Robotics that is associated with FIRST Tech Challenge. He has placed first in regional and state TEAMS competition and won the Golden Key for Scholastic Art and Writing. Benjamin will attend the Wharton School of Business with aspirations of continuing to earn an MBA with a career goal of project management or consulting in a large corporation, eventually starting his own company. He is the son of Eric and Roxanne Bogo Zeisloft.

The Italian-American Cultural & Heritage Society of Washington County has announced this year’s 12 scholarship winners. With this year’s awards, the organization will have provided 202 scholarships to Washington County residents since 1992.

The awardees will be honored at a dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe on May 20 along with this year’s Outstanding Italian-American honoree, Dr. Vincent James Pipepi. In addition, Damon Vaccaro, a 1994 ITAM scholarship awardee, will be recognized as a featured guest. Tickets are available by calling Greg Guyton at 412-217-3894

The scholarships, $3,000 each, are awarded through application of criteria that includes a one-page essay expressing insights as a member of an Italian-American family; high academic achievement with at least a 3.5 QPA in a rigorous college-bound curriculum; participation and evidence of leadership in co-curricular activities; and a strong recommendation by a school staff member or official.

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