by Rick Papa, president, HHA of CNY
Vernon, NY — The Harness Horse Association of Central New York is proud to announce the 2011 scholarship winners.
First place winner of $5,000 is Howard Bantle of Vernon, N.Y. Bantle, an honors student with a 97.1 cumulative average, is a 2011 graduate of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School and will be attending Niagara University. He is majoring in Psychology and hopes to help soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Bantle is the son of trainers Terry Bantle and Eric Felter. Dr. Joseph Camerino, scholarship committee chairman, presented Bantle with the check.
Based on the point system used to award the scholarships, the committee could not break the tie for the remaining two scholarships. The second and third place monies were combined and split evenly between Ashley Eldred of Burlington Flats, N.Y., and Ryan Mogensen of Westernville, N.Y. Each will receive $2,000.
Eldred is the daughter of trainer Ann Yurenka and is a 2011 graduate of Edmeston Central School. She will be attending SUNY Delhi, majoring in Veterinarian Technology.
Mogensen, son of owner Toni Mogensen, is a 2011 graduate of Holland Patent High School. He has been accepted into Morrisville State College, majoring in Diesel Technology.
“The scholarship committee weighted financial need, community service, academic performance and the written explanation of several applications. The committee used a ‘blind review,’ not knowing the names of the applicants before the review process,” stated Committee Chairman Joseph Camerino. “We are very proud of all the applicants and we want to thank everyone who applied.
“All the applicants are winners in our minds, and we are overjoyed to help in whatever way we can, as an association of the hard working, dedicated horsemen and women here at Vernon and their families.”