United Way Awards Secor Scholarship

United Way of Hancock County’s Secor scholarship committee has announced the selection of Alisha Schroeder, a senior at Findlay High School, as this year’s United Way Foundation Secor Scholar. The $2,000 renewable Secor Scholarship was established as a memorial to the Steven and Doris Secor bequest.  It is awarded to a high school senior or high school graduate living in Findlay or Hancock County who plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning to pursue an undergraduate field of study, full time in the subsequent academic year. The candidate must exhibit a strong commitment to service, volunteering, extracurricular involvement and academic excellence.

Schroeder, the daughter of Ken and Peg Schroeder, was selected because of her volunteerism, academic accomplishments, involvement in extracurricular and school activities and her ability to exemplify leadership skills.

“Alisha’s patience and gentle demeanor have proven to be exactly what our ‘stars’ need,” said, Cindy Bregel, executive director of Gliding Stars, an adaptive ice skating program for individuals with disabilities. “Over the years, Alisha has embraced diversity and has shown that a friendship with someone with multiple disabilities is worthwhile and to be valued,” she said.

Schroeder’s service oriented involvement includes volunteering with Gateway Church vacation bible school, Findlay High School’s Relay for Life team, Red Cross Youth Council, Gliding Stars, Clothe-A-Child and Race for the Cure. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Findlay High School Dance Team, National Technical Honor Society, BEST Robotics Team, Hancock Youth Leadership and more.

In her Secor application, Schroeder wrote, “each time I give my time and efforts, I always receive twice back. Red Cross has taught me the values of leadership and the significance of helping others. Vacation Bible School showed me the importance of being a role model for the youth. Dance team has exposed me to skills of time management and responsibility and Hancock Youth Leadership has revealed to me how incredible this community truly is.”

Schroeder will attend The Ohio State University. She intends to study mechanical engineering.

Schroeder will be honored at the United Way of Hancock County’s annual meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. The annual meeting is open to the public and the cost to attend is $30 or $240 for a table of eight. It is being held at the Hilton Garden Inn. To attend the annual meeting, call the United Way office at 419-423-1432 or visit http://liveunitedhancockcounty.org to register.

The United Way Foundation of Hancock County is a nonprofit entity established to ensure the permanence of the United Way Hancock County. The purpose of the foundation is to offer an opportunity for donors to continue their philanthropic efforts through bequests. For more information on making a financial gift to the United Way Foundation of Hancock County, or for Secor Scholarship information contact the United Way office at 419-423-1432.