HOPE for Youth Scholarship Deadline for Lakeland/Walter Panas HS

The HOPE for Youth Foundation is reminding students from Lakeland High School and Walter Panas High School that the deadline for three scholarships, the HOPE for Youth Foundation Scholarship at Walter Panas High School, the HOPE for Youth Foundation Scholarship at Lakeland High School, and The HOPE for Youth Foundation/Bill Sherry Memorial Scholarship is March 26, 2021.

“There's still time for interested students to get their applications in,” said said Jim Witt, Founder of HOPE for Youth. “Last year's scholarship recipients had their senior year cut short because of the Coronavirus, but during our Zoom call luncheon, they all exuded optimism, resiliency and hope for the future. Every single one of our bright and community-minded students reminded me that no matter how bad things seem, students always see a bright side,” added Witt.

Candidates for either HOPE for Youth Foundation Scholarship at Walter Panas High School or the HOPE for Youth Foundation Scholarship at Lakeland High School must be:

• A graduating high school senior from Lakeland High School or Walter Panas High School who has demonstrated both academic responsibility and dedication to community service.

• Nominated by someone familiar with their community service and academic responsibility (school officials, teachers, community representative).

• An individual whose community service has surpassed what is ordinarily expected of a socially responsible citizen.
• An individual who has demonstrated self-motivation, leadership, creativity, education and commitment in pursuing his or her service.
• An individual who has involved and inspired others to participate in community action.
• Attend a luncheon to receive scholarship.

Candidates for the Bill Sherry Memorial Scholarship, named after Bill Sherry, who was a beloved 7th Grade English teacher at Copper Beech Middle School for 32 years, have slightly different requirements:

• Must be graduating senior from Lakeland or Walter Panas High School who has overcome obstacles.
• 90% or above GPA, as indicated on high school transcript
• Three (3) letters of reference describing the student’s character and accomplishments
• 500 word essay written by student applicant explaining how he/she has overcome obstacles (personal, health, family, cultural, educational or other obstacles).
• 15 minute in person, phone or zoom interview may be required for finalists
• Selected scholarship winner will be required to attend a luncheon to receive scholarship

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Beth O’Neill at Lakeland High School at boneill@lakelandschools.org or Kathy Zadra at Walter Panas High School at KZADRA@lakelandschools.org.

HOPE for Youth established the scholarship program in 1998 for graduating seniors who demonstrated outstanding service to school and community. The scholarships are funded from the sales of Witt's Long Range Weather Calendar, private donations from generous individuals and other fundraising efforts conducted by the foundation and its board of directors.

HOPE for Youth Foundation was founded in 1986 by WHUD Weatherman and former educator Jim Witt, who is noted for his annual long-range weather forecast calendars featuring photographs of the Hudson Valley. Witt has formulated a complex system that relies on historic weather patterns in order to predict what the weather will be like years, even decades, ahead. The precision of his forecasts over the past 40 years has made him a successful, charismatic and eerily accurate weather prophet. Witt is also a former high school science teacher.

Learn more about Hope For Youth Foundation at www.hfyf.org.