The Finger Lakes Finns Scholarship Awards
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2007 Scholarship Winner This past June, at Juhannus festivities, Matthew Thomason of Montour Falls was awarded the seventh annual $500 Finger Lakes Finns Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded each year to one or more deserving high school seniors of Finnish heritage in the Finger Lakes region. Winners of the Finger Lakes Finns Scholarship Award are selected on the basis of scholarship, participation in activities, and interest in Finnish heritage. The award is given after the successful completion of the first year as a full time student at an accredited institution of higher learning. Last year's two winners, Molly Oates and Kevin Greuber, each received their award in June. Molly and Kevin both made the Dean's List. Molly has successfully completed her first year at Goucher College and was able to take courses offered by the college in Grenada, Spain, at the end of the year. Kevin also had a very successful year at Elmira College, where he is majoring in adolescent education. Support for the scholarship fund comes from generous donations from our members and friends. All donations are deductible to the full extent of the tax law. The Central New York area is home to many generations of people of Finnish heritage. The Finger Lakes Finns is a not-for-profit social club for the continued appreciation of that heritage. The mission of the Finger Lakes Finns calls for cultivation and support of education and Finnish culture in our area. We hope a scholarship will encourage a promising student, preferably with an interest in Finnish culture. A special fund has been established for the scholarships. The sale of our unique Finger Lakes Finns mugs at club events, and contributions are used to support the scholarship fund. The net of proceeds from sales of the newsletter archives are also contributed to the scholarship fund. Contributions to the scholarship fund are always welcome and may be made by mail or on-line [Please click here for more information]. Mugs are available for a contribution of $5 each, plus $3.15 for shipping and handling for 1 or 2 mugs, if to be mailed. Please make your check or money order payable to Finger Lakes Finns, and send it with your request and address to:
Be sure to include your correct mailing address!
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Matthew is a 2007 graduate of Odessa-Montour High School. In addition to being class salutatorian, Matthew was named a Mark Twain Scholar, a Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES district honor for students in the top 5% of their graduating class. In addition to excellence in academics, Matthew also excelled in several sports, earning "Most Valuable Player" and "Most Outstanding" awards in basketball and track. Throughout high school, Matt has worked at basketball camp, done farmwork and yardwork, and most recently worked at a disabled children's camp. He is enrolled at Keuka College, majoring in education with plans to teach history. Matthew is the son of Ellen Thomason of Montour Falls and the grandson of Ellen Hill Thomason.