Greene County News

DAYTON – Greg McAfee, owner of McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning, has announced the winners of the inaugural “You Can Count On Me” scholarship program for the 2016 school year. Greene County had several students who received the award.

Focusing on more than just academic performance, McAfee, along with other area sponsors, funded the scholarship to also reward students for their overall contributions and commitment to family and community.

The “You Can Count On Me” scholarship program awarded $2,500 to 10 high-school seniors set to graduate in the 2016 academic year. Funds can be used for any accredited post-secondary course of study including: two or four-year colleges, trade or technical schools, or programs resulting in the award of a professional licensure issued by the state.\

The 2016 recipients of the scholarships are: Jayden Lee – Carlisle High School; Hanna Midtlien – Bellbrook High School; Kaitlin Dunn – Fairborn City Schools; Karina Brady – Dayton Christian High School; Adam Gallatin – Oakwood High School; Brian Petachi – Wayne High School; Timothy (Devon) Cook – Brookville Local Schools and from Beavercreek High School, Andrew Rice, Madison Fecher and Kayleigh Brown.

According to McAfee, the program is designed to support students who have demonstrated a “can do” attitude through a combination of school-related activities, work experiences, and community involvement. Each applicant’s personal narrative weighed heavily in the selection process, as did recommendations from teachers, employers, clergy, and other community leaders influential in the student’s life.

Qualified students were residents of Montgomery, Warren or Greene counties in Ohio, or attend Miami Valley Career Technology Center or the Greene County Career Center. Applicants also submitted three letters of recommendation and attained a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater, both at the time of application and upon graduation.

According to McAfee, the program is designed to support students who have demonstrated a “can do” attitude through a combination of school-related activities, work experiences, and community involvement. Therefore, each applicant’s personal narrative weighs heavily in the selection process, as will recommendations from teachers, employers, clergy, and other community leaders.

“Some students may not necessarily have the grades to qualify for many of the scholarships out there today,” McAfee said. “But, in my opinion, hard work, dependability, and commitment to family and community is equally important, if not more so.”

McAfee noted that he was not part of the judging committee.

Influential teachers are also being honored.

“We realize that there are people within our lives who are instrumental in helping us to achieve our true potential,” McAfee says. “We asked students to identify a teacher at their school they would like to recognize as being a positive role model and contributor to their scholastic and extracurricular achievement.”

In recognition, a $250 donation will be made in honor of each of the following teachers to their respective schools: Sam Lee – Carlisle High School; Paulette Hensley – Bellbrook High School; Mrs. Halloway – Fairborn High School; Gail Gnagey – Dayton Christian High School; Kim Hobby – Oakwood City Schools; Mrs. Knepp – Huber Heights High School; Ann Stammen – Brookville High School and Jami Russ, Kevin Tritschler, and Mindy Burcham, all from Beavercreek High School.

According to McAfee, “This being the first year of the program, we are very pleased with the results. Our partners, sponsors and educators did a tremendous job getting the word out…we had over 450 applications submitted, and look forward to many more next school year,” says McAfee. “The character and passion demonstrated by these students not only is refreshing, but also solidified the decision to offer the program and should provide us all with the sense that our future is in good hands.”

Sponsors of this year’s scholarship include McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning, Omnispear, Soin Medical Center, Media Explosion, Guardian Financial, Net-X Computers, and Cedarville University.

An official awards banquet will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 at Cedarville University. More information on the scholarship is available on the official website www.YouCanCountOnMe.org.

Andrew Rice of Beavercreek High School with Greg McAfee.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2016/05/web1_NEWAndrew-Rice-Beavercreek-High-School.jpgAndrew Rice of Beavercreek High School with Greg McAfee.

Kayleigh Brown of Beavercreek High School with Greg McAfee.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2016/05/web1_NEWKayleigh-Brown-Beavercreek-High-School.jpgKayleigh Brown of Beavercreek High School with Greg McAfee.

Madison Fecher of Beavercreek High School with Greg McAfee.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2016/05/web1_NEWMadison-Fecher-Beavercreek-High-School.jpgMadison Fecher of Beavercreek High School with Greg McAfee.

Story courtesy of McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning Co. Inc.