43
Father Popovich Scholarship benefits students with special needs
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
For students and staff at Cardinal Mooney High School, the Rev. Stephen Popovich exemplifies faith, strength and commitment.
To honor the priest, a Mooney graduate and former associate principal who was seriously injured in a car accident Nov. 12, 2013, the Father Popovich Scholarship was established.
Christine Wolford, director of the academic assistance program, said the scholarship, which was organized by a committee at the school, “is our way of giving back to him.”
Wolford, who is new to CMHS, said she “got to know [Father Popovich] through the heartfelt letters” she received from those close to him. The scholarship has a unique element to it, Wolford said, noting it will be awarded to students with special needs that might be academic, physical or medical. “The committee envisioned that recipients should be students who faced obstacles. Something happened to Father Popovich, but his faith keeps moving him forward,” Wolford said.
The Father Popovich Scholarship will work in conjunction with Ohio Department of Education’s Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to students with special needs at participating schools. Students with an Individualized Education Program from their home school districts may apply. There are 108 students in the academic assistance program at CMHS, which has 490 students.
Tuition is $7,600 for students who belong to a parish and $7,800 for nonparish students.
Wolford said an anonymous donor contributed $10,000 to start the scholarship fund. Proceeds from Cardinal Cuisine, a food-oriented fundraiser planned for Friday, will benefit the scholarship. “We want to keep it sustained,” Wolford said.
For the 2013-14 academic year, Wolford said three scholarships were distributed. Recipients were Theresa Balasko, a freshman at Bowling Green State University, $500; and Daniel Martin and Tyrone Peaks, Youngstown State University freshmen who each received $250.
Wolford said for 2014-15, the scholarship committee hopes to give out two $500 scholarships to college-bound students and two scholarships to Cardinal Mooney students to help with tuition. She said students may apply for aid after Christmas; awards will be made next May.
In addition to the scholarships, some funds will be used for a summer program to acclimate incoming freshmen with special needs. “We want an easy transition with no problems,” Wolford said.
The Rev. Gerald DeLucia, Cardinal Mooney president, said Father Popovich “has a great love for Mooney.” The night before the accident, Father Popovich and Father DeLucia were among priests in the diocese who met for dinner then attended a communal penitential service. “We talked about Mooney. He has a long history here,” Father DeLucia said.
Father Popovich had coordinated Masses at CMHS for the football team the day before a game. “There were prayers for safety and good sportsmanship,” Father DeLucia said. Father Popovich, who is friends with basketball coach Brian Danilov, was team chaplain. After the accident, players visited the priest at St. Elizabeth Health Center to give him a game ball.
“Father Popovich is an example of strength for us all,” Father DeLucia said. “He keeps his spirit because of his faith.”
Father Popovich is a living legacy. “He’s part of the Cardinal Mooney family and is an example of faith, commitment and service to others,” Father DeLucia said.