Elliott Schleicher is the 2025 recipient of the Rick Zylak Memorial Award, established by Rick’s wife Sherry, and his children, Jordan and Jennifer Zylak. Elliott plans to attend Susquehanna University and major in biomedical sciences. The Rick Zylak Memorial Award is in the amount of $750 with the recipient intending to study Science, Technology/ Trade, Engineering, Arts or Math (STEAM). Mary Lynne Peters, President of the Crawford Central Community Foundation, presented Elliott with her Award at the MASH Senior Awards Event.

Congratulations to Elliott and best wishes on your future endeavors. Thank you also to Sherry Zylak, Jordan, Jennifer, friends and families for establishing this Scholarship in memory of Rick.

Congratulations to Jacob Costello, this year’s recipient of the Robert Kinter Memorial Award in the amount of $500. Jacob, pictured with Dr. Susan Sapone, daughter of Mr. Kinter, is graduating from MASH and Crawford Tech in Drafting and Design. Jacob will be entering the work force upon graduation with Andco Manufacturing. 

Congratulations to Jacob and thank you to Andco Manufacturing for hiring him. Thank you also to Susan Sapone and family for providing this Scholarship opportunity in memory of your Father, Robert Kinter.

We are excited to announce that the Cochranton High School Tech Crew will be continuing to provide FREE tech support to the community on Fridays beginning April 25th until the end of the school year at Cochranton Area Public Library. No prior appointment is necessary. Their tech support includes basic troubleshooting, simple repairs and cleaning, Bluetooth and applications help and device setup.

Well done Cochranton High School Tech Crew and Rob Cierniakoski on your pay it forward project!

Have you wondered how you or your business can be involved with our annual Spelling Bee fundraiser? We have multiple opportunities available! Check out the documents below for sponsorship information, gift card and basket donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

The deadline for submitting spring grant applications has been extended to February 26th! We look forward to learning more about the projects you hope to have funded and the pay it forward projects that you come up with.

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.

We are excited to announce that we have changed the dates for our spring grant applications and our annual spring fundraiser – the Spelling Bee!

The deadline for submitted spring grant applications is February 15th! We look forward to learning more about the projects you hope to have funded and the pay it forward projects that you come up with.

This year, we have moved our annual Spelling Bee to an earlier date – Saturday, February 22nd at the ICC in Meadville. Stay tuned for more information. We hope that you are able to gather a team together as we help to raise funds for the grants that help the students of Crawford Central School District. As always, remember that we put the FUN into “FUN”draisers.

The Crawford Central Community Foundation Board of Directors is excited to announce the recipients of our Fall 2024 grants!

Hands On Learning Materials – Sensory Items for Students on the Spectrum – This grant was submitted by Julie Clements from Second District Elementary School. Their pay it forward project is a sock and underwear drive at the elementary schools that is being coordinated with the school nurses.

Gaming PC Build – This grant was submitted by Rob Cierniakoski from Cochranton High School. Their pay it forward project is to create a community help desk similar to the Geek Squad at Best Buy.

Extending Learning through Creating – Makerspace Materials – This grant was submitted by Beth Heuchert from Second District Elementary School. The pay it forward project is 3 Kind and Thankful Tuesdays. One week is for school kindness. Another week is kindness at home and the last week is community kindness.

Softball Lady Dogs Giving Back to the Caring Cupboard – This grant was submitted by the MASH Softball Boosters. Their pay it forward project is raising funds to help the MASH Caring Cupboard in the spring of 2025.

We also awarded an emergency fund grant to the MASH Caring Closet. The grant was submitted by Natalie Stearns from Meadville Area Senior High School. Their pay it forward project was packaging 200 packages of feminine care products that were sent to Allegheny College in collaboration with the United Way. The group at MASH already completed their pay it forward project.

Congratulations to all of our recipients! We look forward to seeing how your pay it forward projects positively impact our community!

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.