AllentownSchool District Foundation

August 28, 2020, Allentown, PA – In June 2020, the Allentown School District Foundation (ASDF) awarded senior scholarships to 44 graduating students from William Allen High School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, and Building 21 High School. This year is the sixth year that graduating students were awarded senior scholarships through the Foundation. In addition, many scholarships are also awarded directly by the high schools. A total of $42,542.00 was distributed through ASDF. The endowed and expendable scholarships awarded to ASD seniors by the Foundation are made possible by generous donors looking to recognize student achievement and to memorialize individuals who have contributed to the school district and the Allentown community in numerous ways. Selection of the students is carried out by each high school guidance team.

RECENT NEW MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

“Every year, new scholarships are established by alumni and friends for Allentown students,” says Richard L. Button, chair of the ASDF Scholarship Committee and a past president of the ASD Foundation. "Because so many of our students have financial need, these scholarships help provide for post-secondary opportunities that might not otherwise be possible." These are our latest scholarships.

Bear

The Bear Scholarship celebrates the contributions of former Central Junior High School English teacher and Dieruff High School Assistant Principal Russell P. Bear. Russell strove to help his students find success as both a teacher and an administrator, addressing behavioral issues and working with staff and students to put together school newsletters and yearbooks. “My dad would be so thrilled to know that this scholarship fund will contribute to the continued success of worthy students,” says scholarship donor Linda Thier. “My hope is that each recipient will use this financial seed to grow their educational goals to reach their fullest potential. Education is the key to a rewarding future.”

Halfacre

The Halfacre Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of William Allen social studies teacher, head football coach, and assistant track and field coach George Halfacre. George always strove to instill pride, respect, and a strong work ethic in his students and athletes. The scholarship awards football and track and field participants who demonstrate good sportsmanship in their lives and affords them an opportunity to continue developing attributes for success through higher education. “I wanted the Halfacre Scholarship to serve as a model for the creation of future scholarships at Allen or Dieruff,” says donor and former ASDF President Kurt Zwikl. “There are thousands of Allen and Dieruff graduates out there who may support a scholarship in the name of a former teacher, coach, band director, principal, student, friend, class or loved one if such a scholarship existed.”

Makhoul

The Makhoul Scholarship was started by Elias Makhoul and other members of the Makhoul family in memory of Thomas Makhoul, who passed away in 2018, at the age of 34. Thomas touched many lives in the neighborhood where he lived on East Side of Allentown and was known as “Thunder Tom” and “the East Side Legend.” Recipients of the scholarship must be well-rounded students with demonstrated school and community involvement. Noting that he “felt obligated to honor his legacy,” Elias Makhoul, Thomas’ brother, says it is his hope to “have a positive impact on these [Allentown’s] students’ lives” through the growth of the scholarship.

Zimmerman

The scholarship was established in memory of Richard E. Zimmerman, former electronics technology teacher at WAHS (1961-1967) and the Lehigh County [Carbon] Community College (1967-1982), and his wife, Joyce Rickert Zimmerman, to provide a scholarship for a graduating WAHS student enrolling in a two- or four-year program that leads to a trade or a STEM-related career. Recipients receive a copy of the biographies of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman. WAHS senior scholarship recipients of this award are motivated, prepared academically, and have developed skills valuable for career study and self-sustaining employment.

ASDF Mission

With a vision of enriched education for Allentown School District students, the ASD Foundation has a mission to encourage, promote, support and fund positive educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. 

Contact Information

Anyone interested in starting an ASD Foundation senior scholarship should contact ASDF Executive Director Susan L. Williams at 484-765-4093 or [email protected]. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown, PA, 18105. 

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