Annual Strimbu barbecue provides scholarships

Staff report

BROOKFIELD

Almost 1,600 people attended the 26th annual Strimbu Barbecue on May 6 at Yankee Lake Ballroom. First National Bank sponsored the fundraising event for the Strimbu Memorial Fund.

The festivities featured Texas barbecue, appetizers, chocolate fondue and late-night wood-fired pizzas and a premium wine bar with souvenir wine glasses.

Country rock star Chris Higbee entertained, and attendees received bags of Vidalia onions, a tradition started by the Strimbu family. Also featured were silent and live auctions of such items as utility vehicles, travel packages, a Steelers home opener package, a custom-made charcoal grill and smoker, an Avalon Golf and Country Club family membership, a Polaris Ranger, Lake Erie walleye fishing trips, various dinner packages and assorted jewelry items.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and scholarships. Last year $55,000 in scholarships was awarded to local high school students. In December the Strimbu Memorial Fund awarded almost $175,000 in grants to organizations and individuals.

Leadership and self-reliance are the criteria for scholarship recipients. They demonstrate the example of the life of Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley. The fund philosophy is to help educate the leaders of tomorrow. The barbecue provides 99 percent of the funds awarded for scholarships and grants.

This year the $10,000 scholarship winner was Kayla Thompson from Reynolds High School.

Students receiving scholarships of $2,000 each and their sponsors follow:

Cheyanne Dickson, Badger High School, Miller Livestock

Ana Zarlinski, Brookfield, Kirila Family Fund

Tia Klumph, Farrell, Friends of William Basilone

Amanda Dawes, Greenville, Huntington Bank

Madison Bell, Hickory, Matune/Basile Advisors

Macey Sarisky, Hubbard, Truck World

Bridget LaRock, John F. Kennedy, National Interstate Insurance

Benjamin Wilson, Kennedy Christian, Hudson Property Management

Ashley Wolanzyk, Lake- view, Whetstone Family and Toyota of Warren

Madison Nicula, Mathews, Governor Insurance

Kayla Thompson, Reynolds, Reynolds Services Inc.

Samuel Walgenbach, Sharon, Citizens Bank

Samuel Ference, Sharpsville, Hunter Truck Sales

Adam Dale, West Middlesex, Fifth Third Bank

Bradley Calleja from Sharpsville High School was the $500 essay award winner. Angelo and Jenny Mastrian Charitable Trust provided the award.