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 $15,500:
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 active as a student Broadcaster, involved in the Fairview Park City Green Team and finds time to help and fundraise for families in Fairview Park who have family members struggling with cancer. She also participates in track and cross country, and has been an Academic Athlete all four years of high school. She will major in education and would love to be able to return to Fairview Park as a teacher. Her name is Emma McQuate.
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 National Honor Society member and plays Soccer. His family came to the United States from Albania and he is proud to say that he will be the first of his family to attend college. He is looking forward to the challenge. He has worked the past couple of years of high school and is now an assistant chef at a local restaurant which he hopes to continue working at during college. He will be attending Cleveland State and he plans on becoming a doctor working preferably close to home at the Cleveland Clinic. His name is Esar Dini.
Mary Lou Chalfant Social Studies 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 fund. This $500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding social studies student who will be pursuing a career in Social Sciences or Social Studies Education.
This year’s recipient is a National Honor Society member and he not only plays football, basketball and baseball but he has served in a leadership role as captain of the football and basketball teams. He is very proud to be a member of the National Honor Society. He will major in education and would like to be a History teacher as well as a coach in the school district that he will work in. His name is Matt Mears.
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 is a young lady who is first in her class. She is involved in NHS, Key Club, and on the footprints editorial staff. She also plays soccer and runs track. She has won many academic awards as well as athletic scholar and leadership awards. She is also a PTA Reflection contest winner. She is an altar server at her local church. She will be attending the University of Dayton and studying Chemical Engineering. In her career, she hopes to develop products that are healthy for both people and the environment. Her name is Stephanie Miller.
The second recipient is a young lady who is number ten in her class. She too is involved a lot in school with NHS as well as both Band and Orchestra and swimming and track. She has won many academic awards as well as athletic scholar awards. She is involved with the Youth Group at St. Angela’s participating in many of their mission trips. She is also a volunteer transporter at St John Medical Center. She will be attending the University of Akron and hopes to become a pediatrician. Her name is Elizabeth DeCaro.
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 played varsity soccer, basketball and track for four years. She has played on Club Soccer and the National Basketball Academy on an AAU team. She has been captain of the soccer and basketball team. She is an academic athletic and is in the NHS. She also volunteers at the APL. She will be attending college and majoring in Athletic Training/Physical Therapy. She hopes to be an athletic trainer or physical therapist in a local school or college. Her name is Megan Coyne.
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 year’s first recipient is a student who is number seven in her class. She is in the NHS and is the Vice President. She plays soccer and softball and has served as captain of both some of those years. She has received many academic scholar awards as well as academic athletic awards. She is an alter server at St. Angela’s Church. She will be studying Actuarial Science. Her name is Savannah Lally.
The second recipient is a student who is second in her class. She is in NHS for the past two years and plays softball for three years and soccer for the last four years. She has played Club Soccer and traveling softball. She volunteers at wrestling meets, Super Saturday, and the science fair and is an altar server at her local church. She will be taking civil engineering in college. Her name is Maureen Klag.
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 first recipient has a love of art and has taken many classes during his high school career. He has been a PTA reflections contest honorary mention winner in art. He will be going to Cuyahoga Community College and will be pursuing digital media for learning how to create and edit visual effects for films or television. His name is Giovanni Greer.
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 she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), a forerunner of NASA, as a chemist at the Lewis Research Center. 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 has been a member the orchestra all four years of high school and president this year. She has received many superior and excellent ratings in solo contests for Piano, Violin and Vocal. She is a member of NHS, Student Council, Key Club and Drama Club. She is also in Stage Crafters. She enjoys working with younger students in theatre classes and camps at the Beck Center. She will be attending Mount Union with a double major in Music and Theatre and a minor in Management. Her name is Sarah Slagle.
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. 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 in 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 at a college or university.
This year’s recipient is involved in volleyball and softball serving in leadership roles as team captain some of the years. She is in NHS and has been an academic athletic all four years. She is involved in Junior Olympic Volleyball, Travel Softball and volunteers at Safety Town every year. She will be studying Pharmacy in college. Her name is Marisa Rinehart.
Fred J. & Betty J. Helwig Scholarship—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. The two scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded to hard-working students who demonstrate initiative, self-motivation, and a desire to achieve and have overcome adversity in their lives. 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 is involved in soccer and track and served as team captain of the soccer team this year. He volunteers at Brentwood Health Care helping with activities, dietary and landscaping. He has received many academic athletic awards as well as MVP for soccer. He also attended Polaris to take welding classes which helped him to get his job at a welding shop. When he was 12 years old his father passed away and he has worked very hard to achieve to be the best student he could and be the first in his family to attend college. He will be attending Mount Union and will be studying Sports Medicine so he can be a sports physical therapist working in a health care facility. His name is Barry Myers.
The second recipient is a student works very hard to achieve good grades and has worked during his Junior and Senior year to save up for college. He attributes his success to hard work and determination and does not let obstacles get in his way. He has been on the honor roll his Junior and Senior year. He has been on the tennis team all four years and served as team captain this year. He will be attending Cuyahoga Community College to study for a career as a pilot. His name is Michael DeRosa.
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 has been involved with NHS, Student Council, Key Club, Stage crafters and Yearbook Club. She has had leadership roles in Student Council, Stage crafters and Yearbook. She also volunteers at her local church. She will be attending The Ohio State University and will be studying Communications. Her name is Emily Wasserbauer.
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. 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 scholarship is awarded to a student who is going into a trade through a technical or 4 year college.
This year’s recipient attends Polaris part of her school day taking medical professions courses. She has had leadership roles in the Polaris student government as well as participating in NHS and Key Club. She has been volunteering at Fairview Hospital for the past two years. She has received many awards such as perfect attendance, student of the month, principal list and honor roll. Her proudest moment was when she received an internship with the Cleveland Clinic competing with hundreds of students for this position. She will be studying nursing in college. Her name is Olivia Knight.
Robert V. Kundmueller Memorial Scholarship — was established in 1998 by the Kundmueller Family and funded on behalf of the proceeds from the Foundation’s annual fundraiser, the Robert V. Kundmueller Memorial Golf Tournament. In its eighteen years of running, proceeds have totaled $100,000 from the golf outing. Bob was the Foundation’s founding treasurer and trustee in addition to a local business owner in the City of Fairview Park for many years. Having six children educated in the Fairview School System, Bob was a strong advocate and supporter of the Fairview schools, numerous civic organizations and a FP Citizen of the Year recipient. This scholarship is awarded to a student showing outstanding academic achievement as well as community and school participation. This scholarship is for $2,500.00.
This year’s recipient is number three in his class. He is a very involved student both at school and in the community. He is in NHS and this year is the president, Student council serving as vice president this year. He is a National Merit Scholar. He is involved with Scarlet Singers and the Choral and plays both football and Track. He has received many Academic awards along with scholar athletic awards. He has worked multiple jobs since starting high school from lawn care, being a caddie at Westwood Country Club to working at Galaxy Balloons. He volunteers quite a bit in the community with Relay for Life, PTA sponsored events, and is an altar server at St. Angela’s Church. He plans on attending the Ohio State University and majoring in Business to become a business executive or lawyer. His name is Dan Reilley.
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.
This year’s recipient has been involved with Key Club, yearbook and softball where she has served in the leadership roll of team captain for two years. She has been on the Principals List, which is a 4.0 GPA or higher, Honor Roll and Merit Roll. She volunteers at New Hope Church. She plans on going to college to become a Speech Pathologist or Child Life Specialist. Her name is Sara Murtaugh.
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.
This year’s recipient has been involved in Key Club, Student Council and NHS all four years of high school and was president of student council in her sophomore year. She plays on the Tennis Team and was team captain this year. She has received many academic athlete awards and was on the principals list all four years of high school, which is a 4.0 GPA or higher. She will attend the Ohio State University and plans on studying biology and becoming a dentist. Her name is Jessica Popa.
Richard Nicoloff Memorial Scholarship —this $750.00 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 the Business Advisory Council and was named Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year.
This year’s recipient is involved in Student Council where she has been president the last two years, Key Club, Stage Crafters where she has been stage manager for the last three years, and Drill Team. She will be attending the Ohio State University studying business so that she can get a job in the corporate world in accounting or finance. Her name is Michaela Krava.
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.
This year’s recipient has been involved in football, basketball, baseball and cross country during his years of high school. He has won academic athletic awards in all sports every year. He is a member of NHS for his junior and senior year. He is an altar server at his local church. He will be attending Kent State University and will study Architecture. He would like to come back to Fairview Park to work and be involved in the community that he grew up in. His name is Joe Weaver.