Penn-Trafford High School is in the midst of scholarship season. Seniors have been submitting their forms and juniors are preparing to be in the same position next year.

     For many students, scholarships are an easier, more ideal way to provide some solace in the often dense amount of student loans, debt and payments that are required by colleges. Many seniors during this time are finalizing applications for scholarships. 

     Scholarships are found on the Penn-Trafford High School website under the counseling center tab. There is a Google folder set up with most available scholarships, though students can also go to the Pittsburgh Foundation website to look at more that are offered. Students going to college, trade schools and the workforce all have various scholarship opportunities.

     English teacher and chairman of scholarships Gigi Manuppeli, has been taking charge of the scholarship program at P-T for seven years. She began with one other coworker and after they left the district, she took hold of the program herself.

     Organizations contact her in some instances, though she said she keeps her eye out online for more obscure scholarships that are being offered. Most times, scholarships that are offered are memorials for those who have passed and can range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars.

     The Joe Palchak Memorial award is one of several awards that are being offered this year to one female and one male athlete. The award is $5,000 and students were able to apply through March 25. 

     This year’s juniors can begin to look at the criteria that is needed for this year’s scholarship applications in order to prepare for next year. Manuppelli said that “usually having your community service hours is necessary and you also need about two letters of recommendation from either coaches or teachers for most scholarships.”

     Manuppelli encouraged all students to look at the scholarship opportunities no matter the grade. 

Hannah Hizer, Editor in Chief