More than 200 students will receive ACAF support for pursuing higher education and career training, see full list of awardees
By Alyssa Bump, Allegany County Area Foundation
This fall, students from nearly every corner of Allegany County will take the next step toward their educational goals. Some students will attend community colleges; others will enter four-year universities or technical training programs.
Thanks to the generosity of local donors, the Allegany County Area Foundation (ACAF) awarded $387,240 in scholarships to support these students during the 2026–2027 academic year.
According to Belfast Central School Counselor Teresa Heaney, ACAF’s scholarship program has become an essential resource for local students.
“If there is only one scholarship application I encourage my students to fill out each year, it is always the ACAF application,” Heaney said.
This year, scholarship recipients represent communities across Allegany County and beyond.
Recipients represent graduates from nearly every school district in Allegany County, including Alfred-Almond, Andover, Belfast, Bolivar-Richburg, Cuba-Rushford, Fillmore, Friendship, Genesee Valley, Scio, Wellsville, and Whitesville.
Additional recipients graduated from Houghton Academy, local homeschool programs, or are Allegany County students that live and study in the Portville Central School District.
In total, 230 scholarships have been awarded through ACAF’s 65 Scholarship Funds. These funds have been created through direct gifts and estate plans by generous donors who believe in investing in the future of Allegany County’s students.
This year’s ACAF scholarship recipients are pursuing more than 60 fields of study, including nursing, education, engineering, agriculture, skilled trades, psychology, computer science, architecture, public health, communications, and the arts.
Nursing is the most common field of study among this year’s recipients, followed by education. The skilled trades this year’s recipients are pursuing include welding, HVAC, electrical work, building trades, heavy equipment operation, and agricultural equipment technology.
Unlike many scholarship programs, ACAF’s support doesn’t end after a student’s first year. Students are encouraged to reapply throughout their educational journeys — even into graduate school — to help ease the financial burden of earning a degree.
“Being able to apply easily for future years is extremely helpful, as students often get many first-year scholarships and then struggle to [find opportunities] in future years,” Heaney said.
For Heaney, the value of ACAF’s scholarship program extends beyond the counseling office. As the parent of three ACAF scholarship recipients, she has watched its impact unfold in her own family.
“On a personal note, as a parent, I am extremely grateful to the Foundation for all of their efforts to support Allegany County students in their pursuits of higher education,” Heaney said.
To learn more about how you can support local students with scholarships through ACAF, visitalleganycountyareafoundation.org or contact Executive Director Bruce Campbell at 585-296-5616 or director@acafny.org.
Anna Agnello Alfred-Almond 2026 Daniel & Patrick McCarthy Scholarship
Anna Agnello Alfred-Almond 2026 Overcoming Challenges Scholarship
Zoe Balinsky Alfred-Almond 2021 General Scholarship
Beatrice Beaudry Alfred-Almond 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Samuel Bensley Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jennifer Bensley Alfred-Almond 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
William Deninger IV Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ryann Donlon Alfred-Almond 2022 General Scholarship
Katen Donlon Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Gracen Dusinberre Alfred-Almond 2024 Stephen V. Ambroselli Scholar Incentive Award
Gabriel Fioretto Alfred-Almond 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Lucian Fioretto Alfred-Almond 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Taylor Flaitz Alfred-Almond 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Matthew Goho Alfred-Almond 2026 Clair and Mildred Almeter Scholarship
Matthew Goho Alfred-Almond 2026 Road to the Future Scholarship
Cameron Heinig Alfred-Almond 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Shannon Heinig Alfred-Almond 2020 Millicent Friendly Scholarship
Owen Lawrence Alfred-Almond 2024 John Robertson and Flora Whiteman Scholarship
Henry Lawrence Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Micah McClain Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jonah Symeslatini Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Sophia SymesLatini Alfred-Almond 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Mackenzie Towner Alfred-Almond 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Isabella Willard Alfred-Almond 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Makaila Brewster Andover 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Erica Perkins Andover 2024 M. Gretchen Probst Scholarship
Naudia Pierson Andover 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Naudia Pierson Andover 2026 Carl Atwell Memorial Scholarship
Louis Simon Andover 2024 Dresser-Rand Scholarship
Olivia Waters Andover 2026 Janet Burger Appier/Phyllis Burger Wilson Scholarship
Olivia Waters Andover 2026 Edward Brewster Memorial Scholarship
Summer Buchholz Belfast 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Summer Buchholz Belfast 2026 Amanda Nicole Curcio Memorial Scholarship
Carley Burrows Belfast 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Cylie Burrows Belfast 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Emalee Carman Belfast 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Emalee Carman Belfast 2026 Paul H. Vienna Scholarship
Alexa Ely Belfast 2026 Janet Burger Appier/Phyllis Burger Wilson Scholarship
Addisyn Ely Belfast 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Addisyn Ely Belfast 2026 Marie Miller Gleason Scholarship
Owen Heaney Belfast 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Finn Heaney Belfast 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jenna Hill Belfast 2025 Beverly Grantier Memorial Scholarship
Rhianna Hoover Belfast 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Abigail Morton Belfast 2026 Lois M. Lilly Scholarship
Heather Padden Belfast 2026 Road to the Future Scholarship
Danika Scott Belfast 2025 Beverly Grantier Memorial Scholarship
Morgan Yackeren Belfast 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Sophie Zillgitt Belfast 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Allyson Appleby Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Landon Barkley Bolivar-Richburg 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Cayden Gaines Bolivar-Richburg 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Reiss Gaines Bolivar-Richburg 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Caden Giardini Bolivar-Richburg 2024 Daniel & Patrick McCarthy Scholarship
Raegan Giardini Bolivar-Richburg 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Kayli Giardini Bolivar-Richburg 2022 Peter Sprague Scholarship
Addison Hackett Bolivar-Richburg 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Starlyn Kisel Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Kingston Loucks Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Danika Loucks Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jessica Majot Bolivar-Richburg 2022 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Samuel Martin Bolivar-Richburg 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Noah Martin Bolivar-Richburg 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Azkadellia Mitchell Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Emma Sisson Bolivar-Richburg 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Aiden Smith Bolivar-Richburg 2024 Daniel & Patrick McCarthy Scholarship
Jayna Thomas Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Beverly Grantier Scholarship
Rylee Whiting Bolivar-Richburg 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Arianna Belcer Cuba-Rushford 2025 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Julie Bichler Cuba-Rushford 2024 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Calsey Bump Cuba-Rushford 2016 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Garrett Clayson Cuba-Rushford 2026 Shirley J. weatherly Grant
Zachary Deck Cuba-Rushford 2026 John & Ruth Doyle Scholarship
Zachary Deck Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Joshua Grover Cuba-Rushford 2024 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Justice Herrick Cuba-Rushford 2019 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Cole Herrick Cuba-Rushford 2021 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Alexandra Howe Cuba-Rushford 2020 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Alayna Huegel Cuba-Rushford 2025 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Peyton Joy Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Coen Kellogg Cuba-Rushford 2026 Joseph W. and Inez A. Hupp Scholarship
Dylan Kirnan Cuba-Rushford 2026 Joseph W. and Inez A. Hupp Scholarship
Cloey Larabee Cuba-Rushford 2025 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Brynn Lavery Cuba-Rushford 2025 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Jadyn Little Cuba-Rushford 2026 Barbie Ludden Scholarship
Jadyn Little Cuba-Rushford 2026 Cuba Council of Churches Scholarship
Jadyn Little Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Maggie McGraw Cuba-Rushford 2026 Joseph W. and Inez A. Hupp Scholarship
Greta Motil Cuba-Rushford 2025 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Gracie Motil Cuba-Rushford 2023 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Katelyn Radomski Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Lauryn Radomski Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Jordyn Radomski Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Olivia Rix Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Adam Roe Cuba-Rushford 2026 Alfred Wood Scholarship
Adam Roe Cuba-Rushford 2026 Joseph W. and Inez A. Hupp Scholarship
Sawyer Rouse Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Sebastian Saulter Cuba-Rushford 2024 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Anderson Seigel Cuba-Rushford 2025 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Lana Studley Cuba-Rushford 2026 Ann Barwick Swift Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Lana Studley Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Karleigh Truax Cuba-Rushford 2026 Joseph W. and Inez A. Hupp Scholarship
Joseph Wojciechowski Cuba-Rushford 2026 Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship
Karolina Belcer Depew 2005 Forty & Eight Scholarship
Karolina Belcer Depew 2005 Mary A. Bishop Scholarship
Jenna Austin Fillmore 2024 Liederbach-Patterer Scholarship
Julia Beardsley Fillmore 2025 Yadlosky Family Foundation Scholarship
Kirra Bentley Fillmore 2025 Stephen V. Ambroselli Scholar Incentive Award
David Bower Fillmore 2026 Road to the Future Scholarship
Kylee Ellsworth Fillmore 2024 Yadlosky Family Foundation Scholarship
Oakley Frazier Fillmore 2024 Liederbach-Patterer Scholarship
Haley Hall Fillmore 2022 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ava Harrison Fillmore 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Alexander Hatch Fillmore 2025 M. Gretchen Probst Scholarship
Mya Keeler Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Mattilyn McCumiskey Fillmore 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Mattilyn McCumiskey Fillmore 2026 Fillmore Alumni Scholarship
Katelyn Pastorius Fillmore 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Mariah Patton Fillmore 2026 Karen A. Kunz Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Phillips Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jameson Rhett Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Morghyn Ross Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jenna Rowley Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Grace Russell Fillmore 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Hope Russell Fillmore 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Carson Sanasith Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Zachary Sisson Fillmore 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Isaiah Sisson Fillmore 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Timothy Stann Fillmore 2026 Tim Rohe Memorial Scholarship
Ava Sylvester Fillmore 2024 Mary A. Bishop Scholarship
Kaitlin Troupe Fillmore 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Marcus Wolfer Fillmore 2024 Rose Fleming Scholarship
Kaylee Dayton Friendship 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Morgan Holcomb Friendship 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Leanne Pierce Friendship 2026 Dennis J. Amore Memorial Scholarship
Madison Rondeau Friendship 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Madelyn Sortore Friendship 2026 Beverly Grantier Memorial Scholarship
Madelyn Sortore Friendship 2026 Larry Dye Scholarship
Evan Wildrick-Cole GED/AACS 2022 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Kiri Bogle Genesee Valley 2023 Dr. Robert G. Hutter Memorial Scholarship
Graham Bradt Genesee Valley 2026 Sgt. Ian Gregory Bole Memorial Scholarship
Emily Brown Genesee Valley 2025 Karen A. Kunz Memorial Scholarship
Logan Callahan Genesee Valley 2026 Leonard and Margaret Kelley Scholarship
Ethan Davenport Genesee Valley 2026 Kane Family Scholarship
Jacey Davis Genesee Valley 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Mason Fanton Genesee Valley 2026 Lyn VanTassel Scholarship
Lauren Haggstrom Genesee Valley 2023 Beverly Grantier Scholarship
Cassidy Hand Genesee Valley 2024 William F. Farnsworth Memorial Scholarship
Molly Hannon Genesee Valley 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Molly Hannon Genesee Valley 2024 Lyn VanTassel Scholarship
Ryker Holmes Genesee Valley 2026 Kane Family Scholarship
Ryker Holmes Genesee Valley 2026 Catherine Schuyler NYSDAR Scholarship
Meara Kelley Genesee Valley 2026 Haggstrom Family Scholarship
Meara Kelley Genesee Valley 2026 Penny’s from Heaven Scholarship
Mackenzie Marciano Genesee Valley 2025 Kane Family Scholarship
Tristan Metatos Genesee Valley 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Tristan Metatos Genesee Valley 2026 Haggstrom Family Scholarship
Jacob Rizzo Genesee Valley 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ellaina Scholes Genesee Valley 2024 Joseph E. Presutti Family Scholarship
Lannden Tilton Genesee Valley 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Whitney Young Genesee Valley 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ava Isaman Homeschool 2026 Celeste Wuersig Scholarship
Ava Isaman Homeschool 2026 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Caleb Jones Homeschool 2023 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Leona Savino Homeschool 2026 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Isaiah Tutak Homeschool 2024 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Chiara Iantorno Homeschool 2024 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Bethany Rech Homeschool 2026 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Eden Tutak Homeschool 2026 Wellsville Area Homeschoolers Scholarship
Jessica Adenuga Houghton Academy 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jaquelin Dover Houghton Academy 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Caleb Hilsher Houghton Academy 2023 Mary A. Bishop Scholarship
Bella Stevens Houghton Academy 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Harmonie King Lenoir North Carolina 2026 Ann Barwick Swift Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Samantha Bray Portville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ali Haynes Portville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ali Haynes Portville 2023 Hobart Rhinehart-Joseph Sweeny Memorial Scholarship
Emma Pinney Portville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Kendyl Rogers Portville 2023 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Joel Stives Portville 2023 Peter Sprague Scholarship
Alissa Dalton Scio 2026 Marion W. Green Commitment to Community Scholarship
Landon Davenport Scio 2026 George & Ella Shear Scholarship
Nathan Griffiths Scio 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Cassidy Scholla Scio 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Liam Smith Scio 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Liam Smith Scio 2026 George & Ella Shear Scholarship
Trace Woodruff Scio 2022 Marion W. Green Commitment to Community Scholarship
Phoebe Banks Wellsville 2008 Mary A. Bishop Scholarship
Madison Bennett Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Madison Bennett Wellsville 2026 Hobart Rhinehart-Joseph Sweeny Memorial Scholarship
Caitlin Bittel Wellsville 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Tiernee Brandes Wellsville 2023 Julianne Doyle Bentley Memorial Scholarship
Cooper Brockway Wellsville 2024 Dresser-Rand Scholarship
Elijah Brophy Wellsville 2024 Mary A. Bishop Scholarship
Teagan Burke Wellsville 2026 Anne McAndrew Teaching Scholarship
Teagan Burke Wellsville 2026 Lee Gridley Memorial Scholarship
Kai Burke Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Sierra Caruso Wellsville 2026 Janet Burger Appier/Phyllis Burger Wilson Scholarship
Sierra Caruso Wellsville 2026 Mary Lou Canessa Memorial Scholarship
Michaela Cawley Wellsville 2022 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Addyson Clark Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Ava Cole Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Makenna Cooke Wellsville 2026 Wellsville Rotary Club Service Above Self Scholarship
Brooklyn Dahlgren Wellsville 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jack Davis Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Allison Denhoff Wellsville 2026 Dresser-Rand Scholarship
Mason Edwards Wellsville 2026 Road to the Future Scholarship
Madison Ewing Wellsville 2017 General Scholarship
Kennedy Ewing Wellsville 2026 Betty Embser Wattenberg Community Service Scholarship
Makenah Fanton Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Nicolas Germain-Tardieu Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite memorial Scholarship
Danielle Gilfert Wellsville 2016 Forty & Eight Scholarship
Trenton Green Wellsville 2026 Wellsville Rotary Club Service Above Self Scholarship
Trenton Green Wellsville 2026 M. Gretchen Probst Scholarship
Alexa Hennessy Wellsville 2026 Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Scholarship
Gracelyn Howe Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Norah Joslyn Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Lydia Kaye Wellsville 2026 Wellsville Rotary Club Service Above Self Scholarship
Blake Mattison Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Sarah Mattison Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Hanna Miles Wellsville 2025 Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship
Madelyn Muurisepp Wellsville 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Andrew Ordiway Wellsville 2026 Dresser-Rand Scholarship
Ashley Oswald Wellsville 2024 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Jasmine Outman Wellsville 2025 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Seely Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
William Shoughrue Wellsville 2026 Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship
Kennedy Bledsoe Whitesville 2023 Edward Brewster Memorial Scholarship
Gabriella Hall Whitesville 2023 Edward Brewster Memorial Scholarship
Aislinn Hamilton Whitesville 2023 Edward Brewster Memorial Scholarship
