Perry Hall Seniors Earned $10M in Grants, Scholarship Offers

The Perry Hall High School Class of 2013 is worth about $10,144,000—at least in the eyes of prospective institutions and charitable organizations willing to invest scholarship and grant money in their future.

The total was announced Thursday evening at an awards ceremony for graduating seniors. The senior class, composed of 560 students, generated $3 million more in scholarship offers than last year's seniors.

“Here’s to our seniors who gave their all and then some,” Emily Khan, Perry Hall's Student Council president, said to an auditorium full of family and friends. 

Forty-three students were awarded additional scholarships and endowments at the ceremony, presented by Perry Hall High School and community organizations.

“This is just the beginning,” Principal George Roberts said.  “Tonight is a moment to celebrate. We celebrate achievement and hard work.”

The scholarship awards presentation began with local lawmakers issuing 21 Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships to seniors: 

• Ethan Berg
• Todd Brendel
• Joshua Brown
• Zachariah Dunkerton
• Megan Erpenstein
• Tyler Gahs
• Tyler Gorsuch
• Kate Heidari
• Katilin Kane
• Stamatina Kazakos
• Grant Kellner
• Michael Koogle
• Brandon Lang
• Megan Lineweaver
• Kevin McBain,
• Anthony Montague
• Anthony Swiecicki
• Anthony Thomas
• Jahi Thomas
• Tiffany Woodall
• Savannah Yoder

Perry Hall Improvement Association president Dennis Robinson presented the association's award to Jessica Jang, for her demonstrated record of service to the Perry Hall community.

Jang helped the association by volunteering for  the Perry Hall Apple Festival, Halloween and Bunny Breakfast.

Perry Hall Alumni Association vice president Heather Sipes and president Shannon Otakie Brayawarded Jack Britcher and Emily So $500-awards.

Zachariah Dunkerton took home his second award of the evening after earning a $300 grant from the Class of 1970—the only class that gives a scholarship. The endowment was this year renamed after Perry Hall's first principal, the late Maynard E. Keadle.

The Perry Hall Athletics Booster Club presented Vincent Ciattei and Lauen Stumme with male awards for male athlete and female athlete of the year, respectively.

Senior Asia Jones won a $2,000 scholarship from the Women's Club of Perry Hall.

A new scholarship this year presented by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority-Baltimore County Chapter to Justine Nicole Marsheck.

Elera Osaro was recognized for taking advantage of alternative education programs. She was awarded a $1,250 scholarship.

The Perry Hall PTSA presented awards to five seniors for completing an essay. The honorees were:

• Michael Koogle
• Robin McFaul
• Connor Porter
• Emily Regan
• Kandi Wong

The audience gave a standing ovation to Daniel Borowy who presented the next award on behalf of the PTSA. The award was given to a student who wrote an essay about facing a deep struggle, not unlike the misfortunte that befell Borowy on the first day of this school year.

Borowy handed fellow student Hannah Ryan her award.

The Perry Hall Midd School PTSA presented its awards to Robin McFaul and Vincent Ciattei based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

The middle school's PTSA additionally awarded senior class president Connor Porter an award for his Humanitarian efforts. He said he plans to spend part of his summer on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic.

The Carl Wayne Gibbs Memorial Scholarship was then presented to  Liberty San Juan for utilizing the Advanced Path program. San Juan hopes to one day work as a nurse.

Matthew Buckingham and Brandan Huesman were awarded the Brian Palmer Scholarship, named after a Perry Hall student who passed away in 2004. The $2,188 grant is an ode to his birthday 2/18 and his jersey No. 8. Palmer was active in sports and gave great hugs, according to his mother, who presented the awards.

And finally, the Junior Memorial Scholarship was presented to Nicholas Franck for his exquisite ability on trumpet.

Perry Hall seniors will cross the stage at the newly-opened Tiger Arena at Towson University on May 31.

Be sure to check back with Patch as we recap the winners of Perry Hall's awards presentations including Best Male and Female Athletes, Highest GPA, Faculty Awards and more.

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