In keeping with their 36 year tradition, the Trustees of the Akin Hall Association Scholarship Endowment Fund fulfilled their mission by honoring the following top ten percent of the students in the recent 2015 Pawling graduating senior class with a total of $50,000 in awards. The 2015 scholarship honorees were presented their awards at the Akin Hall Association’s June 20th Reception at Akin Free Library, a scholarship fund raising event with local residents’ generous support. Three awards of $10,000 each were presented to Nicolette Smith (Cornell University), Sandra Spicer (Siena College) and Rachel Sullivan (Tulane University). Hannah Ketchum (University of Buffalo) and Melanie Mold (Syracuse University) were awarded with $7,500 scholarships. Five students were presented with $1,000 merit awards at the recent Pawling High School Graduation Ceremony on June 26: Morgan Kelly, Stephanie Mamouzellos, Sarah Marvin, Jenna Serio, and Bryce Walker.
The Association was formed over 100 years ago by Albert J. Akin, a Pawling benefactor, who provided the Akin Free Library building and the endowment to promote and preserve the history, culture, spiritual roots and educational opportunities of the area. The applications and essays of the top ten percent of the 2015 Senior Class were ranked on their academic achievements, school and community activities, leadership, volunteer service and need. Five students were selected for interviews by the scholarship committee. The committee is very proud of the five young women who are recognized this year and each exhibit the values esteemed by the Akin Hall Association’s founder.
The Scholarship Committee members are Liz Allen, Akin Hall Association President, Betsy Brockway, Chair, Valerie Busby, David Daniels, Ross Daniels, and Nancy Tanner.
