Testimonials

Veronica Willo Scholarship Recipient

Several scholarship funds at the Community Foundation make renewal scholarships, meaning students can potentially receive additional support beyond their first year’s award. Abigail Stephens, studying environmental and conservation biology at Kent State University, was among the recipients of the Veronica Willo Scholarship, which made renewal awards totaling $4,500 in 2024.

We recently asked Abigail a few questions about her award and education, and below are her thoughts on the program she’s enrolled in, the impact of her scholarship awards and how she hopes to use her education to benefit her community!

“Scholarships, including the Community Foundation award, have been the only reason I have been able to continue my education,” says Stephens. “I plan to use my education to uplift those in my community and empower myself to make change in the environmental field. I believe that environmental research is only becoming more important and I am thrilled to be in the next generation of scientists to tackle the pressing issues our world faces.”

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Purple Heart Gary Gutelius Memorial Schoalrship Recipient

Among CFMV’s 2024 scholarship recipients is Jackson-Milton High School valedictorian Aiden Cole, who is enrolled in Dartmouth College’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics program. He received the Purple Heart Gary Gutelius Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to veterans who have received the Purple Heart or their descendants; Cole’s great-grandfather received the honor.

We recently posed a few questions to the new scholarship recipient, and below are Aiden’s thoughts on his great-grandfather’s military service, the impact of the scholarship he received and his future education and professional plans.

“I never met my great-grandfather. His sacrifice is something that is only an echo in my grandmother’s home. … My grandmother said he always wanted his children to be good people. That was something his service taught him,” Cole says. “Ohio will soon be offering a rural practice incentive, which offers law school tuition reimbursement for lawyers serving rural Ohio. Coming back to be of service to my community after receiving a stellar education both at Dartmouth College – and at Yale Law School, which I hope to later attend – will be a symbolic moment of pride in both myself and my community. This full circle moment will come with the reflection of all the support my community has given me.”

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First Place Community Fund Scholarship Recipient

Royal thought this dream of majoring in sports medicine at the University of Dayton would remain just that – a dream. His mom was a single mother working hard to support him and his sibling, who was enrolled in college, and he knew the tuition would be too much for their little family.

The stress Royal was feeling turned to elation when he was selected as the 2016 First Place Community Fund Scholar.

“Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have received the First Place Community Fund Scholarship,” Smith said. “This means a great deal to me because it allows me to focus on my schoolwork instead of worrying about the money that I need to surface in order to attend this school.”

Women’s Board of Youngstown and Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation Scholarship Recipient

When Amy’s husband faced a layoff in 2015, the couple faced a huge hardship as they worked to find ways to support their three young children.

Her husband completed his EMT certification and found a new job while Amy picked up two jobs and began searching for scholarships to help achieve her goal of attending nursing school.

Her hard work paid off when she was chosen for not just one, but two scholarships administered by CFMV.

“Patient care is important to me,” Amy said. “I believe that when I am taking care of a patient, I am their caregiver, educator and advocate.”

Love Life Foundation Scholarship Recipient

For Stephanie, photography is more than a hobby; it’s a passion. And the Love Life Foundation is doing its part to help her turn that passion into a career with a $500 scholarship.

Established in memory of Jarrett Hutton, the Love Life Foundation scholarships are a way to invest in those who share Jarrett’s love for art.

The Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation Scholarship

Lauren found her calling in speech pathology, where she could change lives by helping people with special needs communicate.

“Speech pathology has made such a positive impact in my life over the past few years,” Lauren said. “It has expanded my awareness of people with disorders, special needs, and disabilities. I would be so honored one day to make a difference in these people’s lives by giving them a voice.”

Lauren was one of 15 students to receive a scholarship from TMHF in 2019.

The Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation Scholarship

Jasmine is a future nurse with a passion for helping the less fortunate. She owes her initial interest in the healthcare field to the legacy of her grandmother, who worked as a nurse after graduating from the Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1967.

“While I have been fortunate in my life to have a supportive family, good health, and access to healthcare, I see others who aren’t as lucky as I have been. I believe that if I am able to help even a few people, all the hours, energy, and money that I will spend to become a nurse will truly be worth it.”

Jasmine was one of 15 students to receive a scholarship from TMHF in 2019.