2024 ACCL Scholarship Recipients Celebrated During Ceremony

The Armstrong Center for Community Learning (ACCL) held their annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on June 18, 2024 to congratulate the recipients of the 2024 Ralph and Mary Lou McAllister Scholarship, 2024 ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarship, and the inaugural William R. Schall Memorial Scholarship.  Of the 73 applicants, fourteen (14) scholarship recipients and their family members were invited to join the ACCL Board of Directors and Staff during the ceremony at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, which included a catered lunch from Garda’s Restaurant.

The annual McAllister Scholarships, originated by Mrs. Mary Lou McAllister, are awarded to students who reside in the greater Ford City area and are pursuing a bachelor’s degree.  Since 2004, 108 McAllister Scholarships have been awarded for more than $256,000.  This year, nine (9) scholarships were awarded for a total of $20,000.  This year’s McAllister Scholarship recipients included:

• Alena Taladay, Ford City, PA – Westminster College
• Brailey Frankhouser, Ford City, PA – Duquesne University
• Hannah Baker, Ford City, PA – Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Kylie Frankhouser, Ford City, PA – Duquesne University
• Madalynn Eckman, Ford City, PA – Pennsylvania Western University Clarion
• Natalie Kamer, Ford City, PA – Slippery Rock University
• Nathan Ferraro, Ford City, PA – George Mason University
• Rachel Stockdill, Ford City, PA – Seton Hill University
• Sophia DiGregorio, Ford City, PA – Slippery Rock University

In 2023, the Armstrong Center for Community Learning created the ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarship, which targets Armstrong County students pursuing post-secondary studies at any accredited institution.  The second annual ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarships were awarded based on financial need, with priority given to first generation college students.  Three (3) scholarships were awarded for a total of $6,000.  This year’s ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarship recipients included:

• Alyssa Foley, Leechburg, PA – Robert Morris University
• Annalee Moorhead, Kittanning, PA – Slippery Rock University
• Everett Walker, Kittanning, PA – University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

In 2024, the Armstrong Center for Community Learning created a new scholarship in memory of the late William R. Schall, who was instrumental in preserving the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek (ODC) and identifying the ACCL as its manager and steward.  Mr. Schall’s family initially established the fund to support the programming and operations of the ODC.  Last year, with the family’s blessing, the ACCL named a scholarship in memory of Mr. Schall utilizing the fund the family previously established.  Mrs. Sue Schall, wife of the late Mr. Schall, attended the ceremony along with her good friend, Mrs. Patricia Longwell.  The purpose of the annual William R. Schall Memorial Scholarship is to assist students pursuing a post-secondary education leading to a degree in the environmental and agricultural industries.  Two (2) scholarships were awarded for a total of $2,500.  This year’s William R. Schall Memorial Scholarship recipients included:

• Andrew Muth, Templeton, PA – Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Dozick Zablocki, Kittanning, PA – Montana Technological University

Of the fourteen students awarded scholarships, seven students are returning to college, and seven students are 2024 high school graduates entering college this fall.