Four top ten seniors from Alexander, Elba, Pembroke and Notre Dame High Schools are the recipients of the 2021 Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarships administered by the Arc of Genesee Orleans. The $1,000 scholarship award winners, Annie Kochmanski, Taylor Augello, Lauren Filter and Isabelle Cooper are planning to pursue careers related to healthcare or working with those with a disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAnnie Kochmanski<\/strong> – Alexander Central, will begin her studies in the teacher education transfer program at Genesee Community College, transferring to Keuka College to study special education and American Sign Language. The Darien resident plans to become a teacher for individuals who are deaf\/hearing impaired. In 2020, before school closed due to the pandemic, Annie was involved in Alexander\u2019s Big Buddy program, paired with a student in the elementary school, and was also an intern\/teacher assistant for the second and third grades. This experience solidified Annie\u2019s decision to become and educator. \u201cI know that helping special needs students is where my heart lies,\u201d Annie shared in her scholarship application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taylor Augello<\/strong> – Elba Central, will attend Genesee Community College for nursing and plans to one day become a Nurse Practitioner. A scholar\/athlete at Elba, Taylor said she has chosen nursing as her career path, because she has seen how individuals, especially those with disabilities can struggle. \u201cKnowing that I can help people with disabilities will fulfill my childhood dreams of helping others,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lauren Filter <\/strong>– Pembroke Central, has been accepted to Daemen College and plans to study nursing, setting her sights on one day becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). \u201cIn a hospital, I will be working with people of all abilities,\u201d Lauren said, adding, \u201cThere needs to be compassion, empathy and understanding that individuals (with disabilities) have complex communication needs.\u201d As a certified lifeguard, Lauren has taught swimming lessons to children with a variety of swimming skills, special needs and learning disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isabelle Cooper<\/strong> – Notre Dame High School, is from the town of Pavilion. In the fall, she will be attending Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania in the Physician Assistant program. In her scholarship application, Isabelle shared, \u201cI hope to one day work in a neurology practice with children with developmental delays.\u201d Isabelle has over 5 years\u2019 experience in the YMCA\u2019s Challenger Sports program, volunteering with children with special needs. In 2019, she took on the leadership role of running the Challenger Tennis program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n About the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now in its 16th year, the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship is presented to area high school seniors planning to further their studies in human services, special education or related fields. It is in honor of Mary Anne Graney, a special education teacher, who died in 2004. The scholarship is funded by the Friends & Family 5k, scheduled this year for September 18 in Elba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Press release Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarships Four top ten seniors from Alexander, Elba, Pembroke and Notre Dame High Schools are the recipients of the 2021 Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarships administered by the Arc of Genesee Orleans. The $1,000 scholarship award winners, Annie Kochmanski, Taylor Augello, Lauren Filter and \u2026<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2-Taylor-Augello-Elba-683x1024.jpg?resize=484%2C726&ssl=1\")
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