E.J. Herrmann Scholarships Awarded

The East Utica Optimist Club has announced its 2009 recipients of the E. J. Herrmann Invitational Scholarships. The scholarships, worth $300 each, are given by the second-oldest cross country invitational in New York State. The students are Jonathan Aziz, Katelyn Choiniere, Kelsey Peek, Emma Petzoldt, and Matthew Phaneuf.

Jonathan Aziz is a senior at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, NY. He has run the Herrmann for the past two years. Jonathan has run cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He has been the top long distance runner since his sophomore year. Not only does he excel at running, but he is in the National Honor Society and has won the Elmira Key Award. He is an AP scholar. Jonathan is involved with numerous school and community activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, the food bank, and is a volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul and St. Madeline Sophie church. He is also completing his Eagle Scout requirements. His coach is Jonathan Broderick.

Katelyn Choiniere is a senior at South Colonie Central High School. She has run the Herrmann for five years. She has competed in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track for six years. She says that running has made her a stronger person. She is a three sports athlete, a musician, and is now part of the highly regarded New Visions Law and Government Program. She is also an honor student. She volunteers through Key Club and at her church. Her community service passion is working for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her coach is Frank Myers.

Kelsey Peek is a senior at Whitesboro High School. She has run the Herrmann since 2005. Kelsey qualified for the status of running in the NYS Championship Cross Country meet all four years of high school. She has completed four years of cross country, 3 years of indoor track and four years of outdoor track. She excels in academics and music. She has sung in her church choir since 2003 and is the church cantor. She volunteers her time to the Steven Swan Humane Society and to her church. Kelsey will be attending SUNY Cortland. Her coach is Ron Murray.

Emma Petzoldt is senior at Beaver River Central School District. She has competed in the Herrmann for two years. She has run cross country for 5 years and outdoor track for four years. Emma is not only an excellent athlete, but is also an honor student and a musician. She plays piano at various church congregations. She also plays at nursing homes, which she finds very rewarding. She has learned that doing for others, is inspiring. Emma is a born leader, a hard worker, and a great competitor. Her coach is Nicole Kuhl.

Matthew Phaneuf is a senior at The Town of Webb UFSD in Old Forge. He has run the Herrmann for the past three years, and has competed in cross country and outdoor track for three years. He is a hard worker in both sports and academics. He has maintained averages between the merit roll and the honor roll throughout high school. Matt is involved in volunteer work through his church. He has also volunteered at Hope House in Utica, and volunteers at various fundraisers for local organizations. His coach is Ronald E. Smith.

Past E. J. Herrmann Scholarship Winners

Ambruso, Amara
Arthur, Joshua
Bronson, Kevin
Chaple, Richard
Crossman, Eric
Dalton, Alyson
DeRocco, Patrick
DeRocco, Vincent
Drescher, Matthew
Fanelli, Kristi
Jackson, Jonathan
Johnson, Joseph
Kobielski, Megan
Marcellus, Adriane
Morris, Ryan
Newman, Kelli
Nicotera, John
Okanovic, Najda
Powell, John
Reis, Brian
Roth, David
Roth, Jim
Soblosky, Nicole
Stedman, Samantha
Syrotynski, John
Syrotynski, Russell
Vandewater, Lindsay
Vroman, Heather
Washington, Reginald
Wetzel, Jonathan