MASH Drama students, under the direction of Sharon Barnes (1st District), received a Fall Grant from the CCCF to purchase scenery flats for their upcoming Spring Production, The Music Man. In exchange, their Pay It Forward component was an Elementary Theatre Workshop Day that culminated in a performance of a musical selection complete with choreography.
Bravo to ALL who participated. We look forward to the performances of The Music Man April 17 and 18, 2026 and thank you for “Paying It Forward”.

      The Crawford Central Community Foundation recently awarded over $6,000 in funding for their 2025 Fall and Emergency Grants in the Crawford Central School District. Recipients include: Consumer and Family Services Kitchen Equipment and Supplies, Cochranton Jr.- Sr. High School/ Jennifer Pittner, Flexible Seating and Expansion, Cochranton Elementary School/ Shyra Clayton, Intervention Improvement with Flexible Seating, Cochranton Elementary School/ Dustin Castiglione, Puppy Series Books and Flexible Seating, Cochranton Elementary School/ Lacey Hogue, MASH Drama Scenery Flats/Meadville Area Senior High School/ Sharon Barnes, and  PaTTAN Autism Initiative, West End Elementary School/ Emily Achenbach.

      In exchange for funding, the applicants must provide a “Pay It Forward” component that benefits the community or the school community. The CCCF Fall “Pay It Forward”  Projects include providing a meal to St. James Haven, sponsoring an elementary drama workshop, providing residents of Adams Place with cards, flowers, pictures, and reading to them, and creating holiday crafts and cards featuring the students’ own drawings and messages of kindness to a local senior citizen home. 

The Crawford Central Community Foundation continues to provide financial resources to enrich academic, artistic, athletic and wellness experiences for Meadville and Cochranton students in grades K-12 in the Crawford Central School District. Our next fundraiser event is the CCCF Annual Adult Spelling Bee to be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at VFW Post 2006.

Another great “Pay It Forward” Project from a 2024 Fall Grant recipient. Please consider donating socks and underwear (sizes listed below) for the Crawford Central Elementary Schools with the drop off point at Second District Elementary School. Thank You Julie Clements for your CCCF Grant Application to purchase Sensory Items for students on the spectrum.

The Crawford Central Community Foundation recently awarded its 2024 “Pay It Forward” Scholarships to graduating seniors, Gavin Sekerski Cochranton Jr.- Sr. High School and Elizabeth Hyatt, Meadville Area Senior High School. The “Pay-It-Forward” Scholarships (each in the amount of $500.00) recognize a graduating senior from Meadville and Cochranton in the Crawford Central School District who best exemplify the spirit of giving back to his or her school and community and are nominated by their High School Guidance Counselors.

Elizabeth (Lizi) Hyatt was a member of the MASH National Honor Society, Key Club, Link Crew and Junior Council. Elizabeth also participates in Allegro Dance Arts and the Oil Region Ballet Company. Future plans include attending Miami University of Ohio, majoring in Social Work and obtaining a Child Life Specialist Certificate.
Gavin Sekerski has been a member of the National Honor Society, Cochranton Varsity Volleyball and Basketball teams, the NTMA and French Clubs and helps with fundraising activities for the Cochranton Volunteer Fire Department. Gavin Sekerski plans to attend Penn State Behrend University majoring in mechanical engineering.

Elizabeth Hyatt – MASH Pay It Forward  Pictured left to right- Jim Miale, Board Member Crawford Central Community Foundation, Elizabeth Hyatt and Mary Lynne Peters, President, CCCF.

 Gavin Sekerski- Cochranton Pay It Forward– Mary Lynne Peters- President of the Crawford Central Community Foundation with Gavin Sekerski, 2024 Pay It Forward recipient from Cochranton HS.

2024 ROBERT KINTER MEMORIAL AWARD

The Robert Kinter Memorial Award is given to a graduating senior at the CCCTC who is planning to enter the workforce directly after high school in a technical profession or to enroll in an apprenticeship program. The recipient of this year’s award, established by Mr. Kinter’s daughter, Susan and family is Cody Schwab, graduating senior at Crawford Tech and Meadville Area Senior High School. Cody’s future plans include participating in an apprenticeship program in the electrical occupations field. Cody has earned an Advanced Technical Certificate from Crawford Tech.

Cody Schwab with Mrs. Susan Sapone

2024 Marilyn Kinter R.N. Memorial Scholarship

The Marilyn Kinter R.N. Memorial Scholarship Award also established by the Kinter family is in memory of Marilyn Kinter, a nurse at the Meadville Medical Center who worked in the newborn and intensive care units. Luke Field, Cochranton High School graduate, plans to attend University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and Karlee Kessler, MASH graduate, will attend Mercyhurst University. Both will pursue degrees in Nursing.

 Luke Field- Cochranton with Mary Lynne Peters, CCCF President

Karlee Kessler – Meadville with Mrs. Susan Sapone (daughter of Marilyn Kinter).

2024 Rick Zylak Memorial Scholarship

 The Rick Zylak Memorial Scholarship was established in July 2020 by his wife, Sherry and Rick’s children, Jordan and Jennifer. Sydney Holt is the 2024 recipient of the Rick Zylak Memorial Scholarship and plans to attend Penn State University Main Campus majoring in Biology and Psychology University. Lillian Hild is the co-recipient of the Scholarship and plans to attend Miami University of Ohio and major in Speech Pathology.

Sherry Zylak and presenter Brian Learn with recipients Sydney Holt and Lillian Hild.

2024 David Anderson Wrestling Scholarship

Brighton Anderson and Ty Tidball were the recipients of this year’s David Anderson Wrestling Scholarship.

Peggy Anderson (widow of David Anderson), Ty Tidball, Brighton Anderson and Barry Anderson, MASH Wrestling Coach.

The Crawford Central Community Foundation will hold its annual “FUN”draiser Saturday, September 14 at Roff School Tavern from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. Guest Bartending TEAMS, 50/50 and Gift Basket Raffles as well as “Mystery Envelopes”. Join us as we continue to provide funding to students in grades K-12 of the Crawford Central School District to enrich athletic, artistic and academic opportunities.

• Student Centered Reading Nook/Book Storage– Cochranton Elementary/ Dustin Castiglione    PIF- Host an after school reading hour at the Cochranton Library. Students select their favorite story book to read to family and friends.               
• Student Centered Reading Nook/Book Storage- Cochranton Elementary/ Shyra Clayton   PIF- Host an after school reading hour at the Cochranton Library. Students select their favorite story book to read to family and friends.      
• Growing My Health– MASH/ Liza Hovis  PIF- Designate a portion of the harvest to Second Harvest Food Bank which will use fresh vegetables. 
• Readers for Children– Second District/ Julie Clements  PIF- Reach out to individuals, schools and communities asking for donations of new, stuffed Teddy Bears to be distributed at Bethesda Foster Care Program.
• Dress For Success-MASH/ MASH Boy’s Basketball/ Emily Luteran PIF- Sponsor Free Summer Clinic and sponsor a COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE to collect items for the MAMS/ MASH Caring Closet. The goal is to “reach the top of the basketball rim” with the food collection.
• Math Class Storybook– Cochranton Elementary/ Leslie Biggs  PIF- Buddy Reading with grades 3,4 and 5 to share their stories.

2022 Fall Grant Award Recipients and PIF’s

• Helping the Starving Artists Art Supplies/Jewelry Making Class– Kari Unice/ MASH *PIF– Thanksgiving/Christmas Food Drive for the Caring Closet
• MAMS Wrestling Singlet Grant Uniforms– Shelly Tidball/MAMS *PIF– Beginning Wrestling Clinic at the Elementary level.
• MASH Softball Lady Dawgs Giving Back to Dogs and Cats/ Softball Equipment and subscription for Livestream– Kaylene Carson/ MASH *PIF– Collect cat and dog food for Humane Society at all home games in April 2023.
• MASH Lacrosse and the MMC Stroke Walk– Jennifer Grasinger/ MASH *PIF- Help set up and participate in the  2023 Stroke Recovery Walk including interaction with survivors and creating a Memory Flower Garden.
• Classroom Small Group Furniture- Patricia Britton/ First District *PIF– Cookies for Cops. Collect store bought cookies to present to the School Safety Office Mr. Trenga and the Meadville City Police Dept. with a thank you card. Students will also spearhead the Food Drive for the entire school in November.
• Makerspace Supplies/ IDEA Lab (Experiment, Creativity based Projects/Supplies) Erin Gorman/ Elizabeth Heuchert / First District *PIF- personalized Thanksgiving placemats for teachers as well as nursing facility residents which will be distributed before Thanksgiving.
• –MAMS Lapgear for Flexible Seating in Math Class/Lapboards-Kelsey  Cunningham / Carolyn Brown/ MAMS *PIF– Lesson on couponing and saving money using their lapboards AND sponsoring a MAMS school wide drive collecting personal care supplies for the Caring Closet.
• MASH Girls Basketball Boosters Uniforms(grades 9-12)- Jamie Longo/ MASH *PIF– Senior Night/Jan, 2023. Donation drive to benefit the Caring Closet.
• Sensory Room/ First District Grades K-6 Equipment– Sabrina Richards/Kathleen Hootman/ First District *PIF- Cards will be made by students and sent to agencies providing care to others such as Wesbury, Juniper Village, Neighborhood Counseling, Family Services, MMC, Hospice, the Arc, and Crawford County Human Services.                  

  The MASH Guidance Department recently completed their “Pay It Forward” Project as recipients of a 2021 Spring Grant awarded by the Crawford Central Community Foundation.  

      The “MASH Guidance Update Project” was to create a “quiet space” in the Guidance Office to review scholarship applications as well as provide a meeting space in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. The CCCF helped to fund this project which consisted of purchasing chairs, a coffee table, rug, wooden rack (for scholarship applications) and a plant.

       A unique aspect of the Crawford Central Community Foundation’s application is a “Pay It Forward” component which is giving back to the community. The MASH Guidance Department’s “Pay It Forward” was donating 20 cases of water to the MASH Marching Band which will be used during Marching Band Camp, MASH football games and the Marching Band’s Annual Fall Classic Show in October. 

The MASH Football Team’s “Pay It Forward” will occur in the next few weeks as team members help on Saturday mornings with the flag football teams leading warm-ups, drills, “guest coaching” and even refereeing if need be. The Crawford Central Community Foundation thanks the Coaches, players, parents and all who are “Paying It Forward” through their actions a sense of what they’ve received and what they can offer others.

Ms. Kari Unice, MASH Art Instructor, received a 2021 CCCF Spring Grant to purchase jewelry making supplies and equipment as a new addition to the Art Curriculum which she will teach this upcoming school year. Ms. Unice also supports the Crawford Central Community Foundation with her donations of jewelry for our Fundraisers. We thank Ms. Unice and her students for their creativity and giving back to their community!   

 The Crawford Central Community Foundation recently awarded over $4,000 in funding for their 2021 Spring Grant applications.  

     Recipients include: Mike Ditzenberger, Principal and students at Neason Hill Elementary School- “Neason Hill Media Equipment”, Jennifer Dustin, MASH Guidance Secretary- “MASH Guidance UPDATE Program”, Ray Collins, MASH Football Coach- “MASH Travel Polo Shirts”, Kathryn Wagner and Grade 3 Teaching Team at First District Elementary- “Scholastic News Education/Science Spin” and Kari Unice, Art Instructor MASH – “ MASH Metal Supplies for Art Class”.

     The “Pay It Forward ” components from the grant applications are creating a YouTube video highlighting reading as a family (Neason Hill), donating cases of water for the MASH Marching Band CLassic (MASH Guidance Dept.), assisting veterans and senior citizens during the Crawford County Fair (MASH Football Team), creating posters thanking essential workers in the community (MASH Art Class) and providing families with Science News Magazines for students to read and share with their families. (First District). Additionally, the Crawford Central Community Foundation Board of Directors designated the “First District Scholastic News and Science Spin” in memory of Anita Price, avid educator and mother of CCCF Board Member, Norm Price.

     The Crawford Central Community Foundation continues to provide financial resources to enrich academic, artistic, and athletic experiences for Meadville and Cochranton students in grades K-12 in the Crawford Central School District. With the addition of the 2021 Spring Grant Awards, the CCCF has now awarded over $60,000.00.

The Crawford Central Community Foundation recently awarded its 2021 “Pay It Forward” Scholarships to graduating seniors, Jamie Northcott, Cochranton Jr.- Sr. High School and Ruth Petrov, Meadville Area Senior High School.The “Pay-It-Forward” Scholarships (each in the amount of $250.00) recognize a graduating senior from Meadville and Cochranton in the Crawford Central School District who best exemplify the spirit of giving back to his or her school and community and are nominated by their High School Guidance Counselors.

Jamie Northcott, 2021 graduate of Cochranton Jr.- Sr. High School has been actively involved in numerous extracurricular activities including Art Club, Concert and Marching Band and STEM. Jamie is bilingual (English and Korean) and won 1st place in marketing at PA Free Enterprise Week in 2019. She also was a state finalist in the 10th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow-STEM. She has volunteered as a Team Member at One Federal Student Credit Union in Cochranton and is also employed at Sheetz in Cochranton. Jamie has been accepted at the University of Pittsburgh / College of Business Administration.

Ruth Petrov, 2021 graduate of MASH has participated in numerous activities throughout high school including the National Honors Society, Key Club, MASHapella, Treble Choir, Ukulele Club, Senior Council and the Link Crew.Ruth’s future plans are employment with One Federal Credit Union in Meadville and her commitment to service.

       The Crawford Central Community Foundation continues to provide financial resources to enrich academic, artistic, and athletic experiences for Meadville and Cochranton students in grades K-12. The Foundation continues its mission of “giving back to the community”.

 The Crawford Central Community Foundation has awarded the 2021 Marilyn Kinter, RN Memorial Scholarship Grant Award to recent MASH graduate, Alexis Holt. Ms. Holt plans to attend Penn State University Main Campus majoring in Nursing.

The Scholarship is in memory of Marilyn Kinter, a nurse at Meadville City Hospital for many years working in the Newborn and ICU units. The Scholarship has been established by Mrs. Kinter’s family including her daughter, Susan R. Sapone.

Criteria for the Marilyn Kinter, RN Memorial Scholarship Grant Award includes graduation from the Crawford Central School District (Meadville or Cochranton) with a GPA of 3.0 or better and pursuing a career in the nursing field (BSN, RN or LPN degree or, who is planning to complete a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program).   The Crawford Central Community Foundation continues to provide financial resources to enrich academic, artistic, and athletic experiences for Meadville and Cochranton students in grades K-12. The Foundation and scholarship opportunities continue the mission of “giving back to the community”.