by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 22, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
All photos courtesy of Laurel Highlands High School
Students at Laurel Highlands High School have participated in seed planting, plant maintenance, aquaponics system monitoring, and data collection as part of an aquaponics plant nursery initiative called Sow, Grow, and Share. The initiative is organized by Andrea Sholtis, a Chemistry and Biology teacher at Laurel Highlands High School.
Sholtis said, “The Sow, Grow and Share initiative has significantly enhanced our aquaponics lab, transforming it into a dynamic hydroponics lab that now offers students the chance to cultivate plants for personal use. Across our five classes, an array of plants are flourishing, spanning from catnip for beloved pets to marigolds destined for home gardens.”
Aquaponics is a food production system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants in water). The waste produced by the fish provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants help to clean the water for the fish, creating a closed-loop system.
This initiative at Laurel Highlands High School was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County in 2023, through the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund. The grant enabled the purchase of a 4-tier nursery and microgreen system, seedling trays, an LED 3-tier garden, plant pots, potting mix, and more.
“Embracing students of diverse abilities, from special needs to advanced placement, the initiative has fostered a shared joy in the art of planting and nurturing seeds. Particularly, students with special needs have thrived, establishing a daily routine centered around tending to their herb gardens, diligently watering and providing nutrients to their plants,” said Sholtis.
Students are experiencing hands-on learning through the Sow, Grow, and Share initiative and enhancing their understanding of sustainable agriculture, environmental science, and the aquaponics system’s role in food production.
“The foundation is happy to support engaging learning initiatives like this, through the generosity of our donors,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 3, 2025 | CFFC News
Post-secondary students are encouraged to apply for scholarships at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). The foundation is accepting online applications for forty-eight (48) scholarship opportunities to support local individuals pursuing post-secondary education. The 2025-2026 applications are now available through CFFC’s online scholarship system, which is linked on the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is May 9, 2025.
Students will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for the scholarship opportunities. A list of matching scholarships will display; each will have additional questions and must be submitted individually.
Scholarship criteria vary for academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, and school preference. CFFC offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors, current post-secondary students, and adults wishing to continue their education.
“Scholarship funds are one of the many ways that the foundation supports the county through charitable giving. Many of the donors who created these funds are honoring a loved one, supporting an area of study that they are passionate about, or using this as an opportunity to give back to the community,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Last year, the foundation awarded over $207,000 in post-secondary scholarships to ninety-one (91) students. “Your investment in my education inspires me to work harder and to give back to the community in the future,” said Connor Kalich, a 2024-2025 scholarship recipient. Jaylee Moorhead also received a scholarship last year and said, “This scholarship alleviates a lot of my financial burdens and also motivates me on my academic journey.”
For assistance, please contact Celena Valentine, Accountant/Scholarship Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x2.
Apply for scholarships here!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 1, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) offers nearly fifty scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarship applications are now available for the 2024-2025 school year through CFFC’s online scholarship software, which can be accessed from the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2024.
Applicants will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for individual scholarship opportunities. Based on the required criteria, applicants will then see a list of scholarships that meet their qualifications. Each application will have additional questions and must be submitted individually.
CFFC awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, current post-secondary students, and adults wishing to continue their education. “Being a mother and full-time commuting college student is by not means easy, but this will be a tremendous help,” wrote Valen Lilley, a 2023-2024 CFFC scholarship recipient.
Some scholarships target a field of study, participation in extracurricular actives, or a specific post-secondary school. Each scholarship opportunity is made possible by donors who created a charitable fund to support local students in this way. “Your gift helps students from all over Fayette County to afford higher education, and this means bettering the place we call home. My plan is to become a licensed professional counselor one day, and with support like you, I am able to do that,” wrote Brittney Roberts, a 2023-2024 CFFC scholarship recipient.
In 2023, CFFC awarded over $192,000 in post-secondary scholarships. “It has been a great undertaking academically and financially to make it this far in my journey to becoming a physician, and you have eased some of its hardships with your philanthropy,” wrote James Brown, a 2023-2024 CFFC scholarship recipient.
For assistance, please contact Mrs. Lee O’Neil, Scholarship Coordinator, at eoneil@cffayettepa.org.
2024 Scholarship Flyer
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 20, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) congratulates 87 students who were selected for 2023-2024 scholarship awards. $192,604 in awards will be made from 47 scholarship funds, created to support students who are pursuing higher education. Watch the 2023-2024 slideshow.
“These scholarship funds help us invest in the future of Fayette County, by supporting a variety of students in their education and career path. Our committee carefully reviews hundreds of applications to select the best candidates, aiming to meet the goals of the generous donors who created the funds,” said Angela Braun DC, CFFC Board Chair and Scholarship Committee Chair.
Scholarship funds are created in honor or memory of a loved one, to support certain career paths, or to simply give back to the community. CFFC works with donors to determine criteria for each scholarship fund, including qualifications related to academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, or school preference.
“Our scholarship program is a team effort between staff, board members, community volunteers, donors, and guidance offices. We thank everyone who makes it possible to support students in this way,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Through CFFC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Access to Higher Education Program, qualifying students may have their scholarship awards matched by the state.
To learn more about ways to support the community through philanthropy, visit www.cffayettepa.org and follow @cffayettepa on social media.
2023-2024 CFFC Scholarship List
Alfred E. and Anna B. Jones Scholarship
Nina D’Andrea
Benjamin Diamond
Haley Filcheck
Alyssa Grimm
Payton Hostetler
Lilianna Hug
Allen Craft Memorial Scholarship
Erica Rishel
Benjamin Wilson
Juliet Wontroba
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Scholarship
Valentina Gulino
Malcolm Patton
Kylee Kurnot
Brooklyn Williams
Kaitlyn Adams
Jordan O’Brien
Bridget White
Betty Bayne Barnes Scholarship for Women
Brandy Sickles
Burchinal Family Endowment Education Awards
Bethany DuBois
Carly Grimm
Tyler Hawk
Heather Kisner
Elyse Knopsnider
Frank Kula
Jodi Lowery
Gabriel Ranker
Brandy Sickles
Alden Voss
Career and Technical Education Scholarship
Skye Tucker
Carl S. Micarelli Memorial Scholarship
Emmy Wingrove
CFFC Board of Directors Scholarship
Gabriel Kemp
Chris G. and Alice Omiros Scholars Fund
Tyler Hawk
Cupelli Family Scholarship
Carly Grimm
Darrell L. and Norma R. Uphold Family Scholarship
Abigail Wystepek
Deana Martorella Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Eddy
Dr. Dennis F. Brestensky Scholarship
Riley Rankin
Dr. Paul Pipik Scholarship for Study in the Health Sciences
Alysse Teeter
Dr. William C. Thomas, Jr. Perseverance Scholarship
Karsyn Lucy
Edward T. Yezioro Memorial Scholarship
Nicholas Pecsko
George M. and Anna w. Hochheimer Scholarship
Alden Voss
Helen Hulvey Scheggia Nursing Scholarship
Mitchel Anderson
Sarah Maldovan
Henry J. Oppermann Scholarship
Dylan Brooks
Austin Molinaro
Hughes Family Scholarship
Chloe Deguia
Johnson Matthey Scholarship
Abigail Barnes
Jerry Jiang
Kathleen DiMarco Gulino Memorial Scholarship
Mia Pierce
Laurel Highlands Mustang Academic Scholarship
Sienna Dean
Mackenzie Nicklow
Legacy Scholarship Fund of Ernst Gottlieb Braun
Keegan Fonder
Lillian’s Legacy Scholarship
Emi Curcio
Paige Miller
Alysse Teeter
Lulu A. Dudley Scholarship
Valen Lilley
Jacqueline Maendel
Gianna Valenti
M. Frances and George J. Plava Educational Award
Jerry Jiang
Sydney Larew
Mary Jane Dailey Wood Scholarship
Parker Kern
Tanner Uphold
Jenna Voyten
Maurice M. Bortz and Bessie D. Rinehart Memorial Scholarship
Frank Kula
Melvin J. and Beatrice Vance Keller Memorial Scholarship
Josie Bittner
Michael S. Carbonara Memorial Scholarship
Bailey Lemansky
My Mother’s Legacy Scholarship
Nina D’Andrea
Nancy Flanegan McManus Nursing Scholarship
Abigail Wystepek
Nancy Vance Jones Scholarship
Trudy Diamond
Alysse Teeter
Jenna Voyten
Palmer F. Sabatine Scholarship
Livia Mehalovich
Parker A. Hess Memorial Scholarship
Charlotte Crouse
Zoey Thomas
Rita P. Peters Scholarship
Maximus Nassar
Robert and Marjorie Rager Scholarship
Audrey Morrison
Robert E. and Elouise R. Eberly Scholarship
Gracie Dally
Sam’s Symphony of Love Scholarship
Elizabeth Eddy
Sergeant Eric Hull Memorial Scholarship
Alyssa Grimm
Suzanne J. McMonagle Nursing Scholarship
Alysha Lessman
Tylar Andaloro Memorial Scholarship
Valentina Gulino
Mia Pierce
Uniontown College Club CFFC Scholarship
Claire White
Virginia Eberharter Scholarship
Autumn Ansell
Arley Wilson
Virginia Springer Memorial Scholarship
Julie Cooper
Benjamin Diamond
Bailey Edenfield
Haley Filcheck
Rebecca Mihalko
Grace Taylor
Kaleb Walls
Wolford Swimmer Memorial Scholarship
Grant Barcheck
Josie Bittner
James Brown
Jocelyn Gratchic
Olivia Hellen
Matthew Kaminsky
Claire Konieczny
Sydney Larew
Brandon Paroda
Brittney Roberts
Braylin Salisbury
Jenna Schnatterly
Laila Suarez
Serenity Swihart-Fullem
Lily Taylor
Zackery R. Nelson Memorial Scholarship
Allison Lowery
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by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 13, 2023 | CFFC News
What is the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund?
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s board of directors has approved the creation of a new scholarship fund, the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund, to provide funding towards local students’ higher education. This fund will serve as an alternative to donors creating a named scholarship fund.
The Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund will award scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Applicants must be a Fayette County resident and either a student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a non-traditional student.
Donors to this fund will be recognized as Silver ($100 – $4,999), Gold ($5,000 – $14,999), and Platinum ($15,000 +) Sponsors. Check donations can be made payable to CFFC with Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund on the memo line. Online donations are being accepted through CFFC’s PayPal account.
Donations to the Fund Matched by Generous Donor
The public is invited to support the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund. To strengthen the fund in its first year, a generous donor is matching donations. A dollar-for-dollar match will be provided, up to a maximum of $25,000, for contributions to the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund through the end of 2023.
Check donations can be made payable to CFFC with Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund on the memo line. Online donations are being accepted through CFFC’s PayPal account.
CFFC is grateful for the opportunity to invest in the future of our community by supporting local students, with the help of generous donors.
Please contact Renee M. Couser, Executive Director, with any questions at 724-437-8600 x1.