Area residents awarded scholarships

Youngstown State University has awarded its annual Scholarships for Excellence to more than 1, 200 students who are new to YSU this Fall Semester.

The following local YSU students are scholarship recipients:

• Charles Altizer of Perry, a Perry High School graduate studying Integrated Math Education, was awarded a Red and White Scholarship.

• Justin Babic of Perry, a Perry High School graduate studying Undeclared Business, was awarded a First Opportunity Award.

• Vincent Donato of Cleveland, a Mayfield High School graduate studying Pre Business Management, was awarded a First Opportunity Award.

• Zachary Fromme of Willowick, a Willoughby South High School graduate studying Music Education Instrumental, was awarded a Red and White Scholarship.

• Isabella Futchi of Mentor, a Mentor High School graduate studying Journalism, was awarded a Red and White Scholarship.

• Kristina Joseph of Painesville, a Riverside High School graduate studying Pre Nursing, was awarded a First Opportunity Award.

• Luke Leonard of Chagrin Falls, a Cuyahoga Valley Christian High School graduate studying Marketing Sales Sales Mgmt Trk, was awarded a Deans’ Scholarship.

• Giovanna Leone of Aurora, a Aurora High School graduate studying Combined Science C, was awarded a Deans’ Scholarship.

• Jalysa Mason of Eu- clid, a Euclid Senior High School graduate studying Pre Nursing, was awarded a First Opportunity Award.

• Alexandra Neal of Chagrin Falls, a Kenston High School graduate studying Exercise Science PT Track, was awarded a President’s Scholarship.

• Regina Ploplis of Mentor, a Lake Catholic High School graduate studying Undetermined CLASS, was awarded a First Opportunity Award.

• Brittany Revlock of Madison, a Madison High School graduate studying Middle Child Educ Undetermined, was awarded a First Opportunity Award.

• Jasmine Rollins of Euclid, a Euclid Senior High School graduate studying Forensic Science, was awarded a Red and White Scholarship.

• Jesse Ruf of Madison, a Madison High School graduate studying Marketing Management, was awarded a President’s Scholarship.

• Samantha Salatino of Eastlake, a Lake Catholic High School graduate studying Exercise Science PT Track, was awarded a Red and White Scholarship.

YSU’s Scholarships for Excellence awards are: $1, 000 First Opportunity; $2, 000 Red and White; $3, 000 Dean’s; $4, 000 President’s; $5, 000 Trustees’; $4, 000 to $6, 000 Provost; $1, 000 Martin Luther King; $1, 000 to $3, 000 Honors Program; and $2, 000 Trailblazer.

Students from the area were among just 31 students who successfully completed Baldwin Wallace University’s Sophomore Year Experience program during the 2016-17 academic year.

The unique program is a living/learning community that links academic coursework and specialized programming within a residence hall to provide career preparation, exploration and real-world experience.

The following local students participated:

• Kaitlyn Carr of Chardon, a graduate of Chardon High School majoring in arts management and entrepreneurship. Carr also received a special award for community engagement during the program.

• David Holbert of Beachwood, a graduate of Orange High School majoring in music theatre.

• Jake Zugan of Chardon, a graduate of Chardon High School.

The students participated in the SYE program while living in Carmel Hall on BW’s Berea campus. The program included a career decisionmaking course taught by career advisers as well as a LinkedIn workshop that focused on strategies for using the business networking site in a professional manner. As part of the program, the students planned a game night event to increase student engagement on their hall floor. In addition to the career component, the group volunteered in the local community through BW’s Saturday of Service program.

The goal of SYE is to better prepare students for finding jobs and internships within their chosen field. The program focuses on the four pillars of career development, community engagement, leadership and service. After choosing their pillar of interest, students collaborate with their program assistant, a group leader and their peers to plan, market and execute an event. The program culminates in an end-of-year celebration that includes reflection, sharing successes, hearing from SYE alumni and job charades.