Hinckley, Ohio is famously known for its annual Buzzard’s Day celebration in mid-March. The world-renowned event is proudly sponsored and organized by the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce, comprised of local residents and business-owners invested in this vibrant community located mid-way between Cleveland and Akron. Proceeds benefit local scholarships.
Summer Hiatus
Allowing for family vacations and the pull of summer activities, the Hinckley Chamber will not have June or July meetings, and will resume regular meetings on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Town Hall, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, when the 2018 Chamber Scholarship recipients will read their application letters. BYOlunch.
Congratulations 2018 Chamber Scholarship Recipients
Ruby Swan and Nathan Upole
Recognized for outstanding academic, leadership and community accomplishments, Highland High School senior Ruby Swan and Lutheran West High School senior Nate Upole, will each receive a One Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) Scholarship from the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce.
“We received a couple of unusual applications, and a balanced mix from boys and girls,” remarked Melinda Mallari, Hinckley Chamber Secretary. “Because the only eligibility requirement is to be a Hinckley resident, applications from Nate and a third-year nursing student pursuing study-abroad grant assistance were outside our norm, though the judges weren’t aware when evaluating the applications.”
Applicants’ names are removed from the letters and report cards submitted to the Scholarship Committee comprised of Chamber members Shannon Domanich, Heather Liccardi, Jim Richison, and Jessica Shenker. A scoring rubric evaluated Career Goals (5), Plan to Achieve Goals (5), Academic Achievements (5), Work Experience (5), Community (non-academic) (5), Grammar-Spelling-Punctuation (3), and Report Cart GPA (3). A perfect individual score would add up to 31.
Academics are important to Ruby Swan, daughter of Kevin and Melinda Swan. A member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and a Scholar Athlete the three years she played on the Highland Varsity Girls Golf team, Ruby volunteers regularly for Maggie’s Mission Rescue, Habitat for Humanity, and Buzzard Day. She’ll be cruising the Greek Isles this summer with her grandmother and mother before heading to the Ohio State University to study Accounting.
Nominated by Congressman Renacci to the Air Force Academy, Nate Upole is a Scholar Athlete graduating from Lutheran West High School in Rocky River. Demonstrating excellence in coursework and community service, he has been on the honor roll and in student council throughout high school, volunteered for City Serve, Laura’s Home, and Vacation Bible School at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, and worked at the Hinckley Lake Boathouse. The son of Charles & Kristi Upole, Nate’s first audition for his school’s musical won him the lead role.
Samantha Schillero is driven to make a meaningful mark in the world through a career in medicine. The Duquesne University nursing student, daughter of Samuel & Kimberly Schillero, trained in Ghana for four weeks and realized that the front line of patient care requires insights not taught in a classroom, but in the field. She sought support for a Gap Medics trip to Pula, Croatia this summer. The Chamber was impressed with her accomplishments and pursuits and granted her Two Hundred Fifty Dollars toward her trip. Any other businesses, organizations or individuals interested in contributing to Samantha’s study abroad can contact the Hinckley Chamber for contact information.
“Thanks to the community support for Buzzard Day, from volunteers to sponsors to those who attend each year, the Chamber is able to help our community through scholarships, donations to other local non-profits, scouting projects, and seasonal community events,” says John Feagan, Hinckley Chamber President.
AAA Medina, Dairymens, S&S Heating & Cooling, Ackmera Custom Apparel, DMK Party Rentals, Precision Market Services, Willowood Care Center, Pam Rybka and Buehler’s sponsorships helped create more opportunities to give back to the community.
