The Robert Kinter Memorial Award was established by the family of Robert Kinter and the eligible recipient must be a graduating senior from one of the programs offered by the Crawford County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC): Auto Collision, Automotive, Diesel or Electronic Technology, Carpentry, Electrical Occupations, Precision Machining, and Welding. The recipient must have plans to enter the workforce directly after high school in a technical profession, a branch of the military that involves a technical profession, or enroll in an apprenticeship program. 

The 2026 recipient of the Robert Kinter Memorial Award is Kharizma Garlick. Kharizma, a graduate of MASH and the Welding Program at CCCTC will receive the $500 award. Kharizma will attend boot camp at Chicago Great Lakes Naval Base and, following her training, will join the Navy.

Our best to Kharizma- “Fair Winds and Following Seas”.

Kharizma Garlick pictured with Susan Sapone, daughter of Robert Kinter.

The Rick Zylak Memorial Scholarship, established in July 2020, is in memory of Rick Zylak, former Science Educator (Physics, Astronomy and Geology) at Meadville Area Senior High School, Asst. Athletic Director at MASH and coach of numerous sports including swimming, tennis, golf, and MAMS 8th grade basketball. The Scholarship has been established by Mr. Zylak’s wife, Sherry and his children Jordan and Jennifer Zylak. Criteria for the Rick Zylak Scholarship include graduation from Meadville Area Senior High School with post-secondary plans to attend a trade school, community college or college with a 2- year or 4- year program and intentions to study Science, Technology/Trade, Engineering, Arts, or Math (STEAM).  

Natalia Coppola has been awarded $750 and will attend West Chester University and major in elementary education. Ainsley Oviatt is the recipient of the Zylak Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $500 and will attend Westminster College in the Fall to major in Biology and Pre- Med.

Natalia (left) and Ainsley (right) pictured with CCCF Board Members, Gabe Panchura and Corey Young.
 

The Crawford Central Community Foundation has awarded the 2026 Marilyn Kinter, R.N. Memorial Scholarships to Lauren Kral- MASH and Kaelyn Smith- Cochranton in the amount of $500 each. 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 Award include 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).

 Lauren Kral, with Susan Sapone will attend UPMC Jameson School of Nursing/ UPMC Hamot.

     

 Kaelyn Smith with CCCF Board Director Tamara Clark and President, Mary Lynne Peters, will attend Geneva College and major in Nursing.

The CCCF recently presented their 2026 “Pay It Forward” Scholarships in the amount of $500 each to Madeleine Brenot– Cochranton and Natalia Coppola– MASH. The CCCF “Pay It Forward” Scholarships recognize a graduating senior from Meadville and Cochranton in the Crawford Central School District who best exemplifies the spirit of giving back to his or her school and community and is nominated by their High School Guidance Counselors.

The CCCF Board wishes you the best in all your future endeavors and hope you will continue to volunteer and “Pay it Forward”. 

Madeleine Brenot- Cochranton is pictured with CCCF Board Member Tamara Clark and Mary Lynne Peters, CCCF President and Natalia Coppola is photographed with Gabe Panchura and Corey Young, CCCF Board Members.

        The Crawford Central Community Foundation will present its annual Adult Spelling Bee “Fun”draiser on Saturday, February 21 at our new venue, VFW Post 2006,1045 S. Morgan St. in Meadville. Doors open at 6:00 pm with the Spelling Bee starting at 7:00 pm. Free Hors D’Oeuvres served, Cash Bar, Basket Raffles and a 50/50 Drawing. 

This year’s theme is “On Broadway” and will feature teams from local businesses and the Crawford Central School District. All proceeds benefit the CCCF which is committed to providing financial resources to enrich academic, artistic, and athletic experiences for Meadville and Cochranton students in grades K-12 as we continue to grow a “Pay It Forward” Tradition. 

        Join us in the FUN as Teams vie for the coveted CCCF Championship Spelling Bee Trophy.

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.