In keeping with their 37 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 2016 Pawling graduating senior class with a total of $51,000 in awards. The 2016 scholarship honorees were presented their awards at the Akin Hall Association’s June 18 Reception at Akin Free Library with family and school administration present. The following five students received scholarships: Elisabeth Clemmons, attending Wellesley College $10,000, Daniel DelBalzo attending SUNY Binghamton $10,000, Katherine Mamouzellos attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $10,000, Molly Langone attending SUNY Stoney Brook University $7,500 and Noah Pieratti attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $7,500.

In addition, six students were presented with $1,000 merit awards at the recent Pawling High School Senior Scholarship Awards night on June 21: Michael Bellucci, Alexander Fogarasi, Kirman Hanson, Ryan Kendra, Kaitlyn Meyer, and Ethan Nagasing.

The Association was formed over 100 years ago by Albert J. Akin, a Pawling benefactor, who provided the Akin Free Library building and an endowment to promote and preserve the history, culture, spiritual roots and educational opportunities of our area.  The applications and essays of the top ten percent of the 2016 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 students who are recognized this year and exhibit the values esteemed by the Akin Hall Association’s founder.

The Scholarship Committee members are Liz Allen, Akin Hall Association President; Betsy Brockway, Scholarship Chair; Valerie Busby; David Daniels; Ross Daniels; Stan Scherer; Terry Stewart and Nancy Tanner.