2025 Scholarship Winners
The 2025 Scholarship Award Ceremony was a truly memorable occasion, filled with celebration and inspiration. We are deeply grateful to all who attended and supported this special event.
This year, we received an exceptional number of applications, making the selection process both competitive and rewarding for our scholarship committee. Every applicant demonstrated remarkable talent, commitment, and potential — we only wish we could recognize each and every one of them.
Please join us in congratulating the 2025 scholarship recipients:
Ean Piaschyk - Paul Ohlbaum Award
Ean is the embodiment of a ‘Student Athlete,’ and his tenacity and dedication have paid off not only on the track, but in the classroom. On the team, he has helped his team become CSC Division III Champions and Section III Class D Sectional Champions for three consecutive years. Individually, he holds the school record for the 3,200 meters at 9 minutes, 48 seconds. Academically, Ean is Valedictorian and President of the National Honor Society. But it doesn’t stop there: His extracurriculars include jazz band, international club, ski club, and even assistant janitor. To sum up in the words of one of his recommendation letters, “His humble dedication to running and academics are exceptional.”
Lacey Simmons - Howard Rubin Award
Lacey comes highly recommended by her coach, as “exemplifying the highest standards of leadership, character, and commitment - both as a team player and as an individual.” She has helped lead her team to 10 league championships, encourages her teammates, and “brings out the best in everyone.” She also has learned resilience after coming back from a broken bone in her sophomore year. In addition to track and cross country, she is part of a local swim club and volunteers to raise money for her church and has even helped clean up after floods. She is in the top five of her class and is attending Utica University where she plans to continue running on their track and cross country teams.
Hailey Parker - Utica Roadrunners Award
Hailey is an exceptional student that takes many AP-level courses and finished in the top five of her class while being involved in many extracurricular activities. She is a multi-sport athlete involved in track, cross country, Golf, and even the Nordic Skiing club, and successfully juggles two of those sports in the same season. In her recommendation letter from her track coach, she is referred to as an athlete who sets an example for other team members, puts in consistent effort, and does not take shortcuts in her training. Through all of this, Hailey has managed to put in hundreds of service hours with the Old Forge Fire Department, and it is my pleasure to present her with this award as she continues her education and running career at LeMoyne College.
All writeups done by Travis Olivera
Lin Sein - Grit Award
Lin comes highly recommended for this award from his teachers, who highlight his work ethic, maturity, leadership skills, and contagious smile. In addition to being a dedicated runner who keeps setting personal bests, volunteering with Elementary School kids, and keeping up his grades, he stood out to the committee for being the only candidate with English as his second language. We are pleased to present him with this award and wish him the best as he continues his education at Mohawk Valley Community College.
Killian Bauer - Utica Roadrunners Award
On Killian’s track and cross country teams, he has many distinctions, including serving as captain or co-captain since 2022, and an all-conference team member since 2021. While these make him a stand-out athlete, it should be noted that he has also bounced back from broken bones, illness, and of course, a pandemic. Aside from being in the top ten of his class, Killian is a community member who values service above self, volunteering with the Rotary club, Connect Club, and National Honor Society. Killian would like to continue running at Utica University and someday hopes to run a marathon. Good luck stopping at just one!
