Eight seniors win grants

By KATIE SEMINARA

This was the 12th year the foundation made scholarship grant awards.

BOARDMAN — With more than 350 applicants, members of the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation had a tough time narrowing down their search for the eight high school seniors who each received a $6,000 scholarship grant.

“It was very difficult to come up with the eight because there are so many students deserving of this kind of help,” said Cindy Miller, DeBartolo Corp. executive assistant and public relations director in her welcoming remarks Thursday afternoon luncheon at the Holiday Inn here, where the recipients were announced.

This is the 12th year the foundation has awarded local seniors with grants toward their college education, and the first year the foundation added $1,000 more to the total.

The foundation has awarded more than $400,000 over the years to students who possess leadership qualities, strive to do well academically, and donate time to their community.

“We’ve been doing this many years, and we’ve seen a lot of students. There are different personalities each year, and this is a very energetic group,” said John York, president of the DeBartolo Corp. and co-owner of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers.

Before the foundation was established in 1994, Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., corporation founder, mall magnate and philanthropist, used his resources to provide scholarships to students for many years.

Denise DeBartolo-York, DeBartolo Corp. chairwoman and co-owner of the 49ers, said it is a tremendous honor for her to carry on the legacy her parents started. “They taught me to give back by example,” she said.

DeBartolo-York believes the biographies of the students would have to be printed for people to truly understand why they were chosen. “They have survived obstacles, and they are caring human beings who want to give back,” she said.

Each of the eight seniors have plans to attend a college or university to pursue careers of a wide variety.

Kayla Hankey of Campbell Memorial High School is a three-time cancer survivor and will be attending Youngstown State University in the fall.

“I really just want to major in nursing and go on to become a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse. That would be one of my greatest accomplishments,” Hankey said.

Justin C. Lawrence of East High School is the youngest of five children who all attended Youngstown City Schools and will be heading to Ohio State University for history education in the fall. “I want to give back to students as my teachers did for me,” Lawrence said.

DeBartolo-York said she tries to stay in touch with the students who have received the scholarships. Each year, the students are invited to attend the corporation’s annual golf outing, which is the primary fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Both players and cheerleaders of the 49ers attend the event to make it a success each year.

“This is really the most special day of the year for me because I get to look at all your faces and see the promise,” DeBartolo-York told the students.

The other recipients of the 2008 foundation scholarships are:

UTanisha Flynn of West Branch High School, who plans to attend OSU.

UAmanda Franklin of Austintown Fitch High School, who plans to attend YSU.

UMichael Medure of Lisbon David Anderson Jr./Sr. High School, who plans to attend a four-year college or university.

UKeith Simpson of Lordstown High School, who plans to attend YSU.

UPaige Taylor of Maplewood High School, who plans to attend Kent State University.

UCynthia Williams of Springfield High School, who plans to attend YSU.