From the Charlie Riley Community Service Scholarship Foundation:
The Foundation awarded $27,000 in scholarships at the organization’s seventh annual banquet and awards ceremony November 14th at Level Fire Company.
The scholarship program honors the memory of the late Charles W. Riley, a 52 year member and chief of Abingdon Fire Company and a member of the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Fireman’s Association and Maryland State Fireman’s Association Halls of Fame. He was also a past president of the Maryland State Fireman’s Association and served under four different Governors as chairman of the State’s Training Commission.
Organizers of this year’s banquet and awards ceremony said it was a great night to award scholarships honoring young men and women in the local community who have volunteered their services.
A total of 23 scholarships out of a possible 24 were presented, 12 to seniors from Harford County high schools and 11 to Harford County fire and EMS volunteers.
These honorees have served their neighbors through community service, extracurricular activities and leadership, according to the charlie riley community service foundation. They are all “doers of the word” the foundation’s motto.
The high school honorees, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward higher education, were Emily Caron, Havre de Grace; John Wilson, Harford Christian; Patricia Hanson, Joppatowne; Panashe Mutombo, Patterson Mill; Peter Meehan, North Harford; Emma Zyriek, C. Milton Wright; Zackery Valenti, Harford Technical; Marisa Perfetti, Fallston; Morgan Jones, John Carroll; Rebecca Postowski, Edgewood and Maggie Weese, Aberdeen.
The grand prize award winner, receiving a $3,000 scholarship, was Sarah Dempsey from Bel Air High School.
The fire and EMS honorees, each receiving $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward higher education, were Julia Streett, Bel Air; Rebecca Gibbons, Fallston; Stephanie Gallion, Level; Kenneth Digiancinto, Norrisville; Thomas Brochu, Susquehanna Hose; Joseph Gamatoria, Havre de Grace Ambulance; Christopher Hoffman, Aberdeen; Denessa Fruhling, Jarrettsville; Erin Meinke, Darlington and Anthony Colvin, Rr., Joppa-Magnolia.
The grand prize award winner, receiving a $3,000 scholarship, was Jessica Chandler, from Abingdon Fire Company.
The foundation’s directors said they are very proud of all the scholarship winners, and the banquet was a huge success. Among those attending were Mr. Riley’s widow, Phoebe V. “Sis” Riley, and his sons, Charles A. “Chip” Riley and Bruce Riley.
Three additional awards were made at this year’s banquet. The foundation’s support award was given to Howard and Judy McComas . The foundation’s service award was given to Level Ladies Auxiliary and Johnny Valentini received an appreciation award from the foundation.
The foundation also honored its honorary board of director members for 2012. Bill Parris is the foundations new member. Sen. Barry Glassman, Howard McComas, Tony Meoli, Bill Seccurro, Pat Skebeck and Lee Sachs have agreed to continue serving as honorary board members for two more years.
The foundation directors said they would like to thank Richard Brooks, the Level Fire Company, Tri-State Trophies, Hope Greenleaf, Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tomback, Harford Community College President Dr. Golladay, Harford County Fireman’s Association Bill Dousa, Harford County Council President Billy Boniface, State Senator Barry Glassman, State Delegate Wayne Norman, Harford County Executive David Craig and Johnny Valentini.
Most of all we would like to thank all of our table sponsors and supporters. We could not do this without all your generosity and assistance.
For more information about the Charlie Riley Community Service Scholarship Foundation and how to help honor deserving Harford County young people, visit the foundation’s web site, www.crcssf.com.
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