2026 Scholarship Winners
The 2026 Scholarship Award Ceremony was a memorable celebration of academic excellence, leadership, and community commitment. We extend our sincere appreciation to the recipients, their families, our scholarship committee, and everyone who joined us in recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of this year's students.
The response to this year's scholarship program was exceptional, with an impressive number of highly qualified applicants. Each submission reflected the hard work, determination, and promise of students pursuing their educational goals. The selection process was both competitive and inspiring, and we commend every applicant for their achievements and dedication.
We are proud to recognize the remarkable students selected as the 2026 scholarship recipients. Their accomplishments reflect not only academic success, but also leadership, service, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their schools and communities.
Please join us in congratulating the 2026 scholarship recipients:
Nathan Geroux
Nathan Geroux is a scholar athlete in the truest form from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District. He not only sits in the top ten of his class of over 150 students, but has participated in All Conference Teams and Qualified for States in multiple years for Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track. As if that weren’t enough, he is an active leader in his school, serving as Treasurer for multiple clubs, has received multiple awards recognizing his achievements in and out of the classroom, and even lifeguards at the public pool. Next year, Nathan will be running for SUNY Geneseo and hopes to become a math teacher and running coach some day.
Ethan Karis
Ethan Karis knows the meaning of adversity after overcoming exercise-induced asthma in his freshman year at Remsen Jr. Sr. High School. Since then, he has gone on to state qualifiers twice in Track & Field, lettered in Soccer, Cross Country, and Track, and is now a captain on his Cross country team, among many other athletic accomplishments. Off the field, he has achieved high honor roll every quarter with a 4.0 GPA and has been accepted at Manhattan University to study Psychology.
Keelyn Simpson
Where to begin with Proctor High School’s Valedictorian, Keelyn Simpson? Academics, I suppose. According to her Biology Teacher, she has been taking Honors and AP courses since middle school while maintaining a 95 or above average, received the Principal’s award every year, and has remained humble and thankful throughout. Concerning sports, Simpson is a three-sport athlete, team captain, and state qualifier. Outside of school, she volunteers with children with disabilities, has interned with the Utica Zoo, and holds a part-time job at a local pizzeria. I look forward to being able to take my pet to Keelyn someday after she finishes up at SUNY ESF.
All writeups done by Travis Olivera
Anisha Alvarado Aponte
Anisha Alvarado Aponte is another gifted Proctor High School student who balances classwork with athletics splendidly. As an athlete, she participates in cross country and track year-round, qualifying for state in multiple years. In class, she is among the top ten percent of graduating seniors, all while participating in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute. Aponte credits running, which has taught her that success comes from hard work and consistency, as well as a determination to improve every day. We have no doubt she will continue to improve at the University of New Haven next year.
Danny Casatelli
Waterville Jr./Sr. High School’s Danny Casatelli is well-known for his performance on the track virtually everywhere. In Waterville, he holds the all-time record in the 1600m & 3200m, in New York, he has earned multiple medals, and qualified for nationals ‘more times than (his coach) could count.’ In the classroom, he has consistently pushed himself to receive honor and high honor roll, and outside of school even keeps a job at the Barker Brook golf course. We look forward to following Casatelli as he continues running at Stony Brook University where he plans to study Economics.
