(Midland, PA) Even during a pandemic, the Midland Women’s Civic Club managed to successfully find a way to host its Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day commemoration, the event that fuels the club’s Greater Midland Scholarship Foundation; a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and the mechanism that annually provides thousands of dollars to the community’s high school graduates. MLK Day Chair Stephanie Pennington told members of the Class of 2021 and their families that even with its unique challenges, this year’s event, held “virtually” due to COVID-19, was well-attended and reached its financial goals.
Mrs. Pennington spoke at a ceremony hosted by the Midland Borough School District and presided over by Superintendent Sean Tanner, Principal Brenda Militello, and members of the MBSD board. As she saluted this year’s graduates, Mrs. Pennington also paid homage to the tireless efforts of the Midland Women’s Civic Club in raising funds to defray the cost of college. She said when the Club was organized over 70 years ago, it was delighted when it could offer a student a $50 to $100 award. Now, thanks to the MLK Day event and the generosity of its sponsors, every student who applied this year received between $1,000 and $3,000.
As Mrs. Pennington announced the recipients, her 94 year old mother and namesake of one of the scholarship funds, Mrs. Ruby T. Golding, watched with pride from the audience. Mrs. Golding, a civil rights champion and community leader, has been the MWCC’s President and driving force for the last 50 years. Mr. Tanner spoke of his life-long admiration for her and called Mrs. Golding a superhero. Other MWCC scholarships are named for the late James Morrison, the first African-American member of the Midland school board and Dr. Nick Trombetta, the former MBSD superintendent who help elevate the club’s efforts. This year’s recipients and the schools they have chosen to attend are:
Kamden Miller – (Penn State University – Fayette) – James Morrison Scholarship: $1,000
Mina Barac – (Harvard University) – James Morrison Scholarship: $2,500
Bianca Jijon – (University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg) – James Morrison Scholarship: $2,500
Mackenzie Milkovich – (CCBC) – Dr. Nick Trombetta Scholarship: $3,000
Jaden Emerick – (University of Pittsburgh) – Dr. Nick Trombetta Scholarship: $3,000
Ethan Gengarella – (Hood College) – Ruby T. Golding Scholarship: $3,000
Monique Sawyer – (CCBC / University of Pittsburgh) – Ruby T. Golding Scholarship: $3,000
Madison Dawson – (CCBC) – Ruby T. Golding Scholarship: $3,000
Midland children have several options with regard to which high school they attend including Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Beaver Area High School, and the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.