YWCA will honor high school seniors

Staff report

BOARDMAN

The YWCA of Youngs-town will host the 20th annual Young Women with Bright Futures at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn, 7410 South Ave.

Seniors from 27 area high schools will be honored at the event and U.S. District Court Judge Benita Y. Pearson will be the speaker.

The honorees are: Julie Larkin, Austintown Fitch; Madeline Smotzer, Boardman; Karen Kocanjer-Hinkson, Campbell Memorial; Erin McGraw, Canfield; Monica Mattiussi, Cardinal Mooney; Janay Robinson, Chaney; Melina Kline, Choffin Career and Technical Center; Angel Bell, East High; Heaven Clark, Girard; Leah McConnell, Hubbard; Tara Balsinger, Jackson-Milton; Logan Hunkus, Liberty; Gia Amendola, Lowellville; Queen-Amina Chijide, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center; Bailee D’Amore, McDonald; Lauren Cameron, Mineral Ridge; Alexandra Yuhas, Niles McKinley; Sarah Comstock, Poland Seminary; Madison Handy, Sebring McKinley; Emily Erb, South Range; Heather Sutherin, Springfield; Carly Greenwood, Struthers; Emilia DePaul, Ursuline; Breanna Winters, West Branch; Paige Ewing, Western Reserve; Paris Yanno, Youngstown Christian; and Ariel Gilchrist, Youngstown Early College.

Each year the YWCA recognizes high school senior women who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their schools, communities and families.

Two seniors will be awarded scholarships through a grant from the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. One scholarship is for $3,000 per year and one is for $2,000 per year, both toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree.

Three leadership development sessions and a community service project were added to the program this year, and this component has been expanded to include juniors in high school.

Leadership development training sessions included communication, self-discovery and leadership.

Gregory Smith, Sue Filipovich, Tracy Winbush and Tom P. Varley, all of Achievers USA, taught the sessions.

Major sponsors for the annual event are State Farm Insurance, Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley and The Vindicator.

For information or to purchase tickets call the YWCA at 330-746-6361.