Charles Hottenstine Memorial Award Fund
The purpose of the fund is to provide an annual award for a senior male or female student at Schuylkill Valley High School, Leesport, Pennsylvania, who has exhibited superior achievement and contributions in at least two (2) varsity sports during his or her junior and senior years, with major considerations to be given to the student’s character, teamwork and leadership. The student must also have maintained an exceptional academic record, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of no less than 3.20 for his/her junior and senior high school years; however, the student does not have to be furthering his/her education after high school to receive the award.
No application is needed. This scholarship is awarded by Schuylkill Valley faculty committee, with consideration given to all SV seniors.
Douglas S. Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is being awarded in memory of Douglas S. Miller, a 1985 graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School. Mr. Miller was the founder and CEO of a fast-growing Internet company (Germany-based) in the late 1990s, a successful and pioneering enterprise launched during the early stages of Internet adoption. A well-liked, popular and fun-loving honors student, athlete and student leader at Schuylkill Valley, Mr. Miller earned his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and his Master’s in Business Administration from Cornell University. He was a natural leader and loyal friend to all. He remained heroic and kept his trademark sense of humor even in the face of a difficult health battle which shortened his life. He lived life to the fullest, loved sports and competition, was committed to his family, and was passionate about the pursuit of ideas.
This scholarship was established in 2006 and is intended to honor his memory by supporting a deserving high school senior who is continuing his or her higher education. The fund will support an annual scholarship for a graduating senior male or female student at Schuylkill Valley High School, Leesport, Pennsylvania, who intends to pursue a four-year degree in the field of engineering or science. The recipient must be in the top 10% of the graduating class and must have demonstrated strong leadership qualities during high school. If more than one candidate meets the qualifications in any particular year, then the scholarship should be awarded to the student with the higher cumulative GPA.
Thomas T. and Christine Hegeman Wheatley Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Thomas T. Wheatley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at Berks County Community Foundation in 2006. It was initially established at Exeter Ambulance Association in 2004, following the death of Thomas Wheatley. Tom made his mark on many lives by the countless contributions he made to the community. As a teenager, he became an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts and after college was a scoutmaster for several years. He made a difference in the community by becoming an EMT and then a paramedic. Tom was a paramedic for more than 22 years and was head paramedic for the Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance Association. Tom was an active member for more than 18 years, vice president, and board member of the Exeter Ambulance Association. He was a believer in education and founder of the Exeter Ambulance Community Training Center. He was regional facilitator and affiliate faculty member of the American Heart Association. Tom passed away on February 12, 2004. In his honor, the training center was renamed the Thomas T. Wheatley Community Training Center, and the memorial fund was established.
In July 2014, Christine Hegeman Wheatley, Thomas’ widow, passed away. At the time of Christine’s death, the family requested that the name of the “Thomas T. Wheatley Memorial Scholarship Fund” be changed to the “Thomas T. and Christine Hegeman Wheatley Memorial Scholarship Fund.”
The fund will provide annual scholarships to benefit one or more Berks County residents who will be pursuing an education in one of the following medical fields: EMT, Paramedics, Phlebotomy or Nursing. High school seniors as well as adult students may apply. Preference will be given to current EMTs going into Paramedics, or individuals going into EMT or Paramedics. Preference will also be given to individuals who have an affiliation with the Emergency Health System in the Exeter, PA area, i.e. Exeter, Lower Alsace, Reiffton and Stonersville ambulance associations. Applicants must have volunteered for at least 30 hours of service in the field in which they are selecting to further their education or in any other medical field. Current or recently graduated high school or college students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in high school or college to apply for this scholarship.
Samuel Brooklyn Reed Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is being awarded in honor and loving memory of Samuel Brooklyn Reed, a 2006 Schuylkill Valley High School graduate. Sam was an honor student with a concentration of study that included history, ancient cultures, and anthropology. He viewed education and learning to enrich his life. He developed a deep appreciation for independent music and films, loved long-distance running and mountain biking, and enthusiastically embraced his college experience at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was an undergraduate in his sophomore year with a major in anthropology. Sam lived life to the fullest, found humor where humor might have been ignored, was committed to his family and was passionate about pursuing ideas and dreams.
This scholarship was established in 2008 and should honor his memory by supporting a deserving high school senior who is continuing his or her higher education. The fund will support an annual scholarship for a graduating senior male or female student at Schuylkill Valley High School, Leesport, Pennsylvania. The applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and intend to pursue a four-year degree at a college or university, preferably at the University of Pittsburgh. Preference will be given to recipients with an interest in anthropology, archaeology, or history, or an interest in distance running (competitively or recreationally). If more than one candidate meets the qualifications in any year, then the scholarship should be awarded to the student with a higher cumulative GPA.
Gudrun R. Wilson Schuylkill Valley Middle School Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Gudrun R. Wilson Schuylkill Valley Middle School Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2002 by the family and friends of Gudrun Wilson in her memory and in recognition of her devotion to education. Mrs. Wilson loved children. This love was no more evident than during the last 10 years of her career through her service as principal of the Schuylkill Valley Middle School.
The purpose of this fund is to provide scholarships to students of Schuylkill Valley High School to perpetuate the memory of Gudrun Wilson, who was highly respected as the principal of Schuylkill Valley Middle School by her colleagues, students, and members of the community. The fund will provide scholarships to a student who is:
- pursuing a degree in the field of education
- or for a student who was at one time, or is currently, identified as learning support or learning disabled and is pursuing a degree in any field
- or for a student who has overcome adversity in his or her life and is pursuing a degree in any field.
In addition to meeting one of the criteria above, the recipient must have attended Schuylkill Valley School District for grades six, seven, and eight and possess the character traits that Mrs. Wilson felt one should embrace: kindness, caring, sportsmanship, generosity, academic persistence, vigor and a positive attitude in all of life that allows the individual to succeed in challenging circumstances.
Otis S. Rothenberger Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established to perpetuate the memory of Otis S. Rothenberger. Otis was raised in Ontelaunee Township and graduated from Leesport High School in 1904 and from Kutztown Normal School (now Kutztown University) in 1906. After graduation, he was a teacher at Ontelaunee Township schools and later became supervising principal of Ontelaunee Vocational High School (now Schuylkill Valley High School) until his retirement in 1951. He was an educator, a statesman, an orator, and a leader in both civic and religious activities.
This scholarship fund will support an annual scholarship to a Schuylkill Valley High School graduating senior who is furthering his or her education at a four-year college or university to major in education. The recipient must have obtained high academic standing, shown good character by being a good citizen, and have provided service by participating in school and community activities.
Carol and David Batdorf Scholarship Fund
To support scholarships in equal amounts for the boy and girl graduating from Tulpehocken High School who have, respectively, the highest class rank upon graduation. This fund is also known as the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship.
No application is needed. This scholarship is awarded by a committee at Tulpehocken High School, with consideration given to all Tulpehocken seniors.
Kurr Foundation Scholarship Fund of Tulpehocken Area School District
This scholarship fund is named in honor of Mrs. Sara (Kurr) Zock, a native of Bethel Township and generous benefactor to the district for many years. Mrs. Zock died in 2001 at the age of 97.
Eligible applicants are graduating Tulpehocken Area High School students who attended Bethel Elementary School or who reside in the area currently served by Bethel Elementary and who will be pursuing post-secondary education as full-time students. The selection committee will take the following items into consideration when reviewing the applications and selecting the recipients: cumulative GPA; class rank; extracurricular activities and community service; essay; and financial need.
Elizabeth Horvath Swimming Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by Stephanie Hunsberger to commemorate the influence that her grandmother, Elizabeth Horvath, had on Stephanie’s achievements and focus toward her goals. Elizabeth encouraged Stephanie to remember that in difficult times we must fill our hearts with understanding and compassion, always focusing on the improvement of ourselves. Elizabeth inspired Stephanie to remember that when it seems like we are alone in our lane, there is always something greater along for the swim that is able to lift our arms and move our legs to the wall.
This fund will provide scholarships to seniors graduating from Berks County high schools who intend to further their education after high school in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, who swam on a high school or club swim team in at least their senior year of high school, and are intending to swim on the college team or the college club team. Applicants must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. In addition, applicants must not have any disciplinary infractions. Preference will be given to an applicant who persevered through difficulties to achieve success, whether it be success in swimming, school, or life in general.
Twin Valley Community Education Foundation/Dorothy S. Groff Scholarship Fund
The purpose of the Twin Valley Community Education Foundation/Dorothy S. Groff Scholarship Fund is to provide an annual scholarship to a senior at Twin Valley High School who is an outstanding student on the basis of his/her mathematical ability and overall character and attitude toward school and community.
The recipient must:
- be attending an accredited four-year college or university;
- be majoring in a science-type field that has a heavy concentration in math or minor in mathematics (i.e. engineering and industrial technology, applied sciences, physical sciences, business and management, pharmacy, pre-medical, computer science, teaching of mathematics, etc.) — preference will be given to a student who intends to teach mathematics in the public school system;
- have a high school GPA of 3.4 or higher;
- have demonstrated outstanding character and attitude toward school and community, and;
- have attended Twin Valley High School for one or more years.
