1986 was the year that the Education Foundation’s established their first scholarship. Since then we have been awarding scholarships to outstanding Fairview High School seniors. This year, the Foundation proudly awards the following 20 scholarships totaling $21,750:
Frank W. Barr Memorial Scholarship – was established in 1990 in honor of the 2nd Superintendent of the school system who served from 1964 to 1979. Dr. Barr was a member of many professional educational organizations as well as a member of many community groups. The $500.00 scholarship is being awarded to a senior who will pursue a humanities and/or liberal arts major at a college of university.
This year’s recipient is president of Stagecrafters and also a member of the Mosaic Club. She has participated in Operation Military Kids Camp for three years. She is in her second year of post-secondary coursework at Tri C. She will be attending John Carroll University in the fall majoring in psychology. Her name is Jessica Neundorf.
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Bruce Linden Cherkala Memorial Scholarship – was created in 1991 by the Cherkala family as a memory to their son, Bruce, who graduated from Fairview High School in 1968. While at FHS, Bruce was an honor student, letterman in football and tennis. Bruce went on to graduate from Denison University and then Case Western Reserve School of Medicine with a M.D. degree. Bruce passed away suddenly in 1982. This $500.00 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who will pursue science or mathematics at a college or university.
This year’s recipient is active in Cross Country and Track and Field all 4 years in high school. They are a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and Key club. He has spent over 100 hours volunteering at Fairview hospital. He will be pursuing a career in engineering. His name is William Guerry.
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Mary Lou Chalfant Memorial Scholarship – Mary Lou was a social studies teacher at Fairview High School for many years. She retired from the Fairview Park Schools and after her retirement established this scholarship. This $500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who will be pursuing a career in Social Sciences or Social Studies Education. MARY LOU PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK AT THE AGE OF 94. SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED FONDLY BY THE FAIRVIEW PARK SCHOOLS.
This year’s recipient will be pursuing a degree in Pre Law focusing on Special Education at Cleveland State. She has been a varsity starter for Girls Basketball and Softball all four years of high school and has received many honors in those sports. Her name is Kelsey Bilak.
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Coca Cola Scholarship – was established in 2007 through the Coca Cola Bottling Company. This year we have two $1,000.00 scholarships to be awarded. Criteria for these scholarships are overall academic/community and school achievement.
The first recipient of this scholarship is the Executive Vice President of Student Council and Vice President of Key Club, Secretary of National Honor Society, founder of the In Club and Homecoming Queen. She has over 100 hours of volunteering at Fairview Hospital. She also volunteers at the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy at West Virginia University. Her Name is Kylee Grady.
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The second recipient of this scholarship is President of National Honor Society, President of Jazz Band, Team Captain of both Academic Team and the Mock Trial Team. He is also a member of Key Club, Stagecrafters, Student Council and Cross Country. He has also volunteered over 100 hours at Fairview Hospital. He will be pursuing a degree in Environmental Science at Vanderbilt University His Name is Dane Hixon.
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Maureen Cundiff Memorial Scholarship – established as a scholarship in 2007 through donations made by community and friends for the Cundiff Family. Maureen was a very active person in the community, including being a member of the board of education, president of the PTA, member of the Gemini Committee and many more organizations. She gave so much of herself to her family and community that having a scholarship in her memory is a wonderful way to remember her. The scholarship is a $500.00 scholarship and the scholarship is to be awarded to an outstanding female varsity athletic.
This year’s recipient has been a member of Girls Softball all four years of high school. She also plays in the Emerald Necklace Softball league. She attends Tri C for post-secondary classes in her senior year. She is involved in Choir and Show Choir. She will be attending Tri-C in the fall. Her name is Michaela Ratz.
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Laura Dean Scholarship Memorial Scholarship – established in March 2001 through a bequest of funding from the estate of a former Fairview Park teacher and former Fairview High principal, Laura Dean. Ms. Dean’s teaching and administrative career in the Fairview Park Schools began in 1929 and lasted for 45 years. Her first assignment was teaching mathematics to elementary students and later serving as the second principal of Fairview High School. It was at her request that the scholarship awards be given to young women pursuing careers in mathematics or in the field of applied mathematics. Two $1,000.00 scholarships are awarded each year to deserving graduating female seniors.
The first recipient is the concert master for the Chamber Orchestra and involved in the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra. She has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball team for all four years of high school and also participated in the Junior Olympic Volleyball program. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Mosaic Club. She will be pursuing a degree in Engineering at Cleveland State University. Her name is Brighid Rancour.
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The second recipient has been involved in Swimming and Diving all four years of high school along with Cross Country and Synchronettes. She is active in Student Council and Stagecrafters and National Honor Society. She is a member of the Baldwin Wallace Youth orchestra. She is also very active in youth leadership groups at Messiah Lutheran Church. She has taken post-secondary classes in her junior and senior year at Baldwin Wallace. She will be pursing degree in Exploratory Sciences at Valparaiso University. Her name is Casey Main.
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Shirley Docherty Memorial Scholarship –was established in 2013 by her children Denise Devine and David in memory of their mother Shirley Docherty. Shirley was a homemaker most of her life but after she graduated high school she drew maps for the War Department. After the war, she was employed for NACA, (now known as NASA) were she worked as a graphic artist in the Aircraft Engine Research Lab. This $500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding art student pursuing a degree in Art/Graphic Art at a college or university.
This year’s recipient was a member of the Broadcast Club. He has done several independent study courses with Mr. Kaminski in the field of graphic design. He has also produced multiple videos regarding district initiatives for the school district. He has taken several AP classes. He will be majoring in graphic design at Kent State University. His name is Brian Tran.
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Dorothy Graab Memorial Scholarship –was established in 2013 by children Donald and Janet Graab Miller in memory of their mother Dorothy Graab. She graduated from Warwood High School in West Virginia where she played oboe and glockenspiel in the band and graduated as the valedictorian in 1944. After graduation, she enrolled at Northwestern University where she majored in chemistry. Dorothy continued to study piano until graduation in 1948. In 1948 she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), a forerunner of NASA, as a chemist at the Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dorothy was an active volunteer in civic and community groups. She served as PTA president multiple times and was an elected school board member, ultimately serving as president of the Fairview Park School Board. A lifelong lover of music, Dorothy was an accomplished piano player who took great pleasure and pride over the years in supporting the Cleveland Orchestra. This $750 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who is active in one or more music programs but is not necessarily pursuing that at a college or university.
This year’s recipient is the president of the Chamber Orchestra of which he has been a member all four years of high school. He has won multiple music awards throughout his high school career. He plays the base with the Chamber Orchestra. He has also participated in the golf team for four years He attends Polaris for computer networking. Because of his Polaris schedule, he makes up his Chamber Orchestra classes on his own time with his teacher. He plans on attending LCCC which has a partnership with the University of Akron where he will be getting his degree. His name is JP (John Paul) George.
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Judson Graab Memorial Scholarship –was established in 2013 by children Donald and Janet Graab Miller in memory of their father Judson Graab. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University where he majored in chemistry. Judson’s time at Ohio Wesleyan was interrupted by his service in the US Army during World War II. Upon graduation in 1948 he joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), a forerunner of NASA, as a chemist at the Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Judson remained at NASA for his entire career, serving as the longtime head of the analytical chemistry department and he retired in 1978. Judson was also part of the team of parents who created the Fairview Park Band Boosters and establishing the annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast. Upon his retirement, Judson worked with the Fairview High School auto shop as a volunteer. His continued support was acknowledged by the Fairview Park Education Association with their Friend of Education award in 1992. This $750 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who will pursue a degree in the sciences, preferably chemistry at a college or university.
This year’s recipient is the Captain of the Track and Field team, a member of girl’s tennis all 4 years of high school. They are the Executive Treasurer of Student Council, member of Key Club and National Honor Society. She has worked with the Cleveland Sports Commission and participates with her church youth choir. She has worked at a Youth Ambassador Leadership Camp the past two years. She will be majoring in Bio Chemistry and planning on becoming a doctor at Virginia Commonwealth University Her name is Hanna Palmer-Tesema.
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Fred J. & Betty J. Helwig Scholarship –This is a scholarship given in the names of their parents’ honor by the Helwig children. The scholarship was created in 1999 and funded each year by the Helwig children. Starting with this 2015 graduating class, two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded and are renewable for up to a maximum of four years of college. This is our first renewable scholarship. The scholarships are awarded to hard-working students who demonstrate initiative, self-motivation and a desire to achieve. In addition to the scholarship award, the scholarship recipient’s names will be added to a permanent plaque that hangs in the Fairview High School halls to commemorate this award.
The first recipient goes to Polaris for Culinary Arts and has competed at both state and national level at the Pro Start Culinary Competitions. She has spent over 1,000 hours preparing for these competitions. Her team has won fourth place last year and third place this year in the nation. She was outstanding culinary program student for last school year. She indicates that her greatest adversity was dealing with the death of a good friend and fellow Polaris culinary student in the fall. She will be pursuing a degree in the culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America Her name is Jalyssa Stringer.
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The second recipient is involved in Tennis, Swimming and Diving and Synchronettes. She was also involved in Student Council, Mosaic Club and Stagecrafters. During her career in high school she was diagnosed with a medical disorder and because of her positive attitude and perseverance, she was able to overcome her initial struggle with the disorder and learn how to live happily with it. She will be pursuing a degree in business. She will initially attend a community college and then transfer to Cleveland State University for her degree. Her name Hannah Dudra.
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Mary Hoertz Memorial Scholarship –a $250.00 scholarship is given to a graduating senior who has shown leadership, community involvement, school participation and academic ability.
This year’s recipient was a member of Orchestra, Stagecrafters and Track and Field all four years of high school. She goes to Polaris for Sports Medicine and is the president of her class at Polaris. She works at Manor Care Nursing Home about 16 hours per week and Hibachi Restaurant during the summer months. She will be pursuing a degree in Nursing at Kent State University Her name is Morgan Malone.
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Michael Holick Memorial Scholarship –this $500.00 scholarship was established in 2008 by the Holick family. Michael Holick was proud to be a resident of Fairview Park for 56 years and loved his community. He was married to Jeanne in 1951 and his four children are all graduates of Fairview High School. His talents as a master finish carpenter for 56 years are appreciated today as he is responsible for building his family home and homes for his children in Fairview Park, in addition to rebuilding the corner of West 204th Street and Lorain Road. He was also involved with many building, renovating and remodeling projects in the Cleveland vicinity. Michael was an active member of the Carpenters Local Union 1108 and the memory of his talents, love and support of his family and pride in his city will shine forever.
This year’s recipient is Student Council treasurer. He participated in the Synchronettes this year. He has also participated in Football and Baseball. He was a PTA Reflections Contest visual arts winner. He was instrumental in designing the homecoming floats for his class. He repairs commercial equipment with his dad. He is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Cleveland State. His name is Adam Thompson.
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Robert V. and Rose T. Kundmueller Memorial Scholarship – (originally the Robert V. Kundmueller Memorial Scholarship) — was established by the Kundmueller Family in 1990 in memory of Bob Kundmueller. The scholarship is also in memory of Rose Kundmueller who passed away on November 14, 2014. Bob and Rose became residents of the city of Fairview Park as newlyweds in 1955, raised six children who were educated in the Fairview Park School System, and were local Fairview Park business owners for many years. Bob was the Foundation’s founding treasurer and trustee, involved in numerous civic organizations, and a Fairview Park Citizen of the Year recipient. Rose was actively involved in the PTA and they both were strong advocates and supporters of the Fairview Park schools. The scholarship is funded on behalf of the proceeds totaling $108,000 from the Robert V. Kundmueller Memorial Golf Tournament – the Foundation’s annual fundraiser that occurred for 18 consecutive years. This scholarship in the amount of $3,000 is awarded to a student showing outstanding academic achievement as well as community and school participation.
This year’s recipient is number one in his class and has been Class President for the past three years. He is Vice President of the Orchestra and Treasurer of National Honor Society which he has been a member of for the last two years. He is a member of Key Club, Academic Team and the Mosaic Club. He is also an Eagle Scout. He participated in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Seminar. He has volunteered over 100 hours at Fairview Hospital. He has conducted numerous research projects at both Baldwin Wallace and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He will be pursuing a career in Bio Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University. His name is Grant Hom.
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Lewis F. Mayer Memorial Scholarship – a $500.00 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Fairview High School senior, in memory of Mr. Mayer, a humanitarian of Fairview Park, an educator, principal and the first superintendent of the Fairview Park Schools, serving from 1921 to 1964.
The recipient of this scholarship is the President of Key Club this year. She is also a member of Student Council and National Honor Society. She has played girls’ basketball for four years, where she was named First Team, All Conference. Her outside of school activities include coaching volleyball and volunteering at a summer camp. She plans to earn her Pharmacy degree at the University of Findlay. Her name is Rachel Malloy.
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Medical Mutual Scholarship – this $500.00 scholarship was established in 2008 and is made available through the Health Insurance Plan that the Fairview Park City School District participates in. This is a yearly scholarship awarded to a student with both a combined outstanding academic achievement and economic need.
The recipient of this scholarship is currently the Executive Secretary of Student Council as well as Vice President of Stagecrafters. He has also been involved in Mosaic Club and National Honor Society. He is the President of his Medical Professions class at Polaris Career Center. He is also the team leader of Polaris’ Health Bowl Knowledge Team which competes in the Skills USA competition. He worked an internship with the Cleveland Clinic last summer, and has also volunteered at Fairview Hospital. He plans to pursue a degree in nursing at Kent State University. His name is Milan Janca.
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Nicoloff & Thoma Memorial Scholarship – this $500.00 scholarship has been ongoing for many years with the Business Advisory Council, but beginning in 2008, it was named in memory of Richard Nicoloff. Richard passed away suddenly in September of 2007 and was a strong proponent of education. He held two master degrees and had a career in banking that took place at the Cleveland branch of the Federal Reserve and at National City Bank. Two of his children are graduates of Fairview High School and his wife Judy is a long time member of many community organizations in Fairview Park. Pauline Thoma (Judy’s mother) passed away in 2015 and was added to this memorial scholarship. She was a journalist for over 50 years with the Plain Dealer. She held many distinctions during her career which included inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame in 1993, was on the executive board of the Newspapers Guild, served as treasurer of the Theta Sigma Phi (Women in Communications), served on the Board of Directors of Sigma Delta Chi (Society of Professional Journalists) and Treasurer of the Cleveland Press Club. This $500.00 scholarship is given to a student who is pursuing a career in business/actuarial science/communications.
The recipient of this scholarship is currently the Executive President of Student Council. She is also a member of National Honor Society, Stagecrafters, Key Club, and Mosaic Club. She has played volleyball for FHS since ninth grade, being on varsity since her sophomore year and serving as captain during her senior year. She plans to pursue a degree in business. She will begin her college career at Cuyahoga Community College, then plans on transferring to the Ohio State University to complete her bachelor’s degree. Her name is Michelle Dunn.
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Nelson Russ Memorial Scholarship – established in 2001 by Mrs. Fern Russ, in memory of her late husband, Nelson. Mr. Russ served as the Recreational Director for Fairview Park, served on the Fairview Park City Council and was one of our City’s Citizens of the Year. Mr. Russ served three decades on the faculty at Fairview High and distinguished himself as Fairview High School’s first Varsity football coach. The $500.00 scholarship is given for academic and athletic excellence, preferably in the sport of football.
This year’s recipient has been a member of the Varsity Football Team all four years. He was named Player of the Week a total of six times throughout his football career. He also participated in the Skills USA state and regional competitions with his class at Polaris. He has held a part-time job at Discount Drug Mart as well for the past two years. He plans to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at Cleveland State University. His name is Daniel Kilrain.