Scholarships and Recipients
- CEF SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS
- CEF DUAL ENROLLMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
- CEF ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS
- COLUMBIA HERITAGE/ THADDEUS STEVENS SCHOLARSHIP
- ELMER KREISER & ALBERT H. SHADER JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
- DEAN Y. LITTLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- STEELEY SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP; IMO LES & MARTY STEELEY
- RICH GERFIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- SUE GERFIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- MARY S GROFF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- RYDER CUP GOLF SCHOLARSHIP
- SARA E. SNYDER SALUTATORIAN SCHOLARSHIP
- SARA E. SNYDER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- CEF VALEDICTORIAN SCHOLARSHIP
CHS Graduating Seniors accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning are eligible to apply. Seniors may reapply the following year for the Alumni Scholarship.
2024 – $1000 each
Madison Bootie, Amelia Campbell, Rylee Corwin, Brie Droege, Brooke Droege, Alexandria Gamby, Trenton Garza, Natalie House, Bennet Ohrel, Linoshka Pagan Tavarez, Kaitlin Scheele, Demari Simms, Bryanna Sinopoli, Kailee Soto, Leah Splain
2023 – $1000 each
James Brady, Owen Broome, Mallory Conroy, Chase Dishongh, Mitchell Dishongh, Matthew Fanous, Emily Gambler, Morillo Gonzalez, Amya Kauffman, Aiden Miller, Rose Misciagna, Alexis Phillips, Kenny Tran, Kali Arndt, Brie Sullivan
2022 – $1000 each
Kylie Aston, Morgan Bigler, Mackenzie Burke, Robert Footman, Sarah Hollerbush, Collin McCarty, Luke Redding, Allison Rodriquez
2021 – $500 each
Madison Hedgepeth, David Hershey, Matta Harfy, Justin Sabino
2020 – $500 each
Jacob Bianco, Melina Mowrer, Ryan Redding, Matthew Gambler, Morgan Williams
2019 – $500 each
Brittnie Betteley, Mya Black, Meghan Braas, Trinity Cover, Rosalie Gilbert, Mitchel Lutz Jr, Melanie Rodriguez, Courtney Ryno, Madison Simpson, Devin Sullivan, Emily Sumpman andd Samuel Taylor
2018 – $500 each
Bailee Armold, Linnette Cruz, Marcus Falcon, Zane Garrison, Sophie Hinkle, Yu-Hsia Huang,
Natalie Lightcap, Haley Lutz, Ashley Perales, and Alexander Retamar
2017 – $1000 each
Yamil Rodriguez and Kelsey Smith
2016 – $1000 each
Nevin Khalil and Justin Walton
2015 – $700 each
Jasmine Haldeman, Austin Hartman, and Mackenzie Lindenberger
CHS Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply for approved college courses a student takes while they are still in high school. Juniors may reapply the following year for the Senior Scholarship
2023 – $500
Alexandria Gamby, Jonathan Putt, Brie Droege, Brooke Droege
2022 – $500
Aiden Miller, Emily Gambler
2020 – $500
Sarah Hollerbush
CHS Alumni are eligible to apply. Graduates must have completed the first year of their post-secondary education and be currently enrolled. Alumni may reapply each year they are in higher education attendance.
2024 – $1000 EACH
Colin McCarty, Robert Footman Jr
2023 – $1000 EACH
Devin Sullivan, Robert Footman Jr, Carter Houck
2022 – $1000 EACH
Devin Sullivan, Carter Houck & Ryan Redding
2021 – $500 EACH
Nathan Resch & Ryan Redding
2020-$500 EACH
Sophie Hinkle
2019 – $500 EACH
Sophie Hinkle
2018 – $500 EACH
Emily Anderson, Jailyn Phiel and Austin Hartman
2017 – $500 EACH
Emily Anderson, Taylor Conroy, Sarah Hinkle, and Jailyn Phiel
2016 – $500 EACH
Jasmine Haldeman, Kaitlin Hoak, and Mikayla Kemmerly
CHS Juniors and Seniors accepted at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology are eligible to apply. CHS graduates attending their second year are eligible to apply as well
2024 – $500 EACH
Demari Simms
2023 – $500 EACH
Amya Kauffman
2020 – $500 EACH
Nathan Resch, Dale Nell
2019 – $500 EACH
Dylan Smith, Mitchel Lutz Jr
2018 – $500
Dylan Smith
CHS Seniors accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning are eligible to apply.
ELMER KREISER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $2,500 each
2024 – Brie Droege, Brooke Droege
2023 – Mallory Conroy, Emily Gambler
2022 – Morgan Bigler, Mackenzie Burke
2021 – Breanna Murphy, Madison Hedgepeth
2020 – Courtney McClair, Alissa Tome
ALBERT H. SHADER JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $2,500 each
2024 – Alexandria Gamby, Trenton Garza
2023 – Aiden Miller, Frankie Krow
2022 – Kylie Aston, Robert Footman
2021 – David Hershey, Matta Harfy
2020 – Chante Gilbert, Isabella Stoutzenberger
A CHS Senior accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning is eligible to apply.
2024 – $500
Rylee Corwin
2023 – $500
Matthew Fanous
2022 – $500
Allison Rodriquez
2021 – $500
Breanna Murphy
2020 – $500
Luz Agosto
2019 – $500
Desiree Torres
2018 – $500
Haley Lutz
2017 – $500
Paige Schmitt
A CHS Senior accepted at an accredited trade or technical school is eligible to apply.
2024 – $2500 each
Demari Simms, Bryanna Sinopoli
A CHS Senior accepted at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is eligible to apply.
2024 – $500
Demari Simms
2023 – $500
Amya Kauffman, Rose Misciagna
A CHS Senior accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning with an emphasis in Nursing or a medical career is eligible to apply.
2024 – $500
Alexandria Gamby, Leah Splain
2023 – $500
Emily Gambler
A CHS Senior accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning is eligible to apply.
2024 – $500
Madison Bootie, Amelia Campbell,, Natalie House
2023 – $750
Chase Dishongh, Mitchell Dishongh
A CHS Senior accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning with an emphasis in a trade/technical career is eligible to apply.
2024 – $500
Linoshka Pagan Tavarez
2023 – $500
Kali Arndt, Brie Sullivan
2022 – $1000
Colin McCarty, Luke Redding
The CHS Senior ranked second in their graduation class and accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning will be awarded this scholarship
2024 – $1500
Madison Bootie
2023 – $1500
Mallory Conroy
2022 – $1500
Enry Hanna
2021 – $1500
Tanner Ness
2020 – $1500
Megan Betteley
A CHS Senior accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning is eligible to apply.
2024 – $500
Kaitlin Scheele
2023 – $500
Alexis Phillips
2022 – $500
Sarah Hollerbush
2021 – $500
Justin Sabino
2020 – $500
Tristan Anderson
The CHS Senior ranked first in their graduation class and accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning will be awarded this scholarship.
2024 – $2000
Brie Droege, Brooke Droege
2023 – $2000
Kenny Tran
2022 – $2000
Sarah Hollerbush
Donor Acknowledgements (click here)
Columbia Heritage/Thaddeus Stevens Scholarship
Through the generous support of alumnus and donor Mr. Charles Reiff and his wife Geraldine Reiff, Columbia students and graduates may receive scholarships to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Each reflecting on their own small-town upbringing, the financial challenges to afford continuing education, the support and the encouragement they received from their communities, Mr. and Mrs. Reiff have created this scholarship, aptly named the “Columbia Heritage Scholarship”.
Elmer Kreiser & Albert H. Shader Jr. Memorial Scholarships
Through the generous support of alumnus and donor Mr. Karl Kreiser, his wife Donna Kreiser and the law firm of Mountz and Kreiser, Columbia seniors may receive scholarships to attend any institution of higher education. The scholarships are named in honor and memory of Karl’s father, former Columbia High School principal Mr. Elmer Kreiser and Donna’s father, Mr. Albert H. Shader Jr. The Kreiser Family values and supports every opportunity to assist children in Columbia reach their potential through school, extra-curricular and community activities.
Dean Y. Little Memorial Scholarship
Due to his generous donation bequethed to the Foundation, an annual scholarship has been created to be given to a graduating senior who has an interest in English and literature. Mr. Little in his later years, had a love for reading.
Sara E. Snyder Salutatorian & Memorial Scholarships
Ms. Snyder was a member of the CHS Class of 1947 and graduated as the class Salutatorian. She was a lifelong resident of Columbia PA and volunteered at the public library until she was 85 years old. With the generous donation that was bequethed, two scholarships were created in her memory. Each year, the class salutatorian will receive a scholarship, a personal distinguishment she was most proud of, as well as a second scholarship to another graduating senior.
Sue & Rich Gerfin Memorial Scholarships
Daughters; Laurie Gerfin-Lutz and Betty-Sue Ryno, along with their families, have created these annual scholarships in memory of their parents.
Sue Gerfin was a proud Columbian who deeply loved her family and community. She was also a dedicated nurse who cared for all those in need. This annual scholarship in her memory will go to a graduating senior going into the field of nursing or a medical career.
Rich Gerfin is a name synonymous with Columbia. A lifelong resident, he was a man to take action and get things done, especially those that involved the betterment of Columbia and the students in the school district. Rich was a proud graduate of Thaddeus Stevens Trade School. This annual scholarship in his memory will go to a graduating senior going into the trades and attending Stevens.
Mary S Groff Memorial Scholarship
Due to the generous donation bequethed to the Foundation, an annual scholarship has been created in her memory to be given to a graduating senior attending a school of higher education.
Ryder Cup Golf Scholarships
A group of former CHS alumus each year have a golfing fundraiser. The CEF is a benefactor of this event. A graduating senior pursuing a career in the trades is a recipient of this donation.
Steeley Success Scholarship, IMO Les & Marty Steeley
Mark Steeley was a graduate of the CHS Class of 1986 and a proud alumnus. Mark joined the military service after graduation and then, after extending his education, became a successful veterinarian in Tennessee. Mark fondly recalls his years growing up in the community and attending Columbia schools. As one who wants to give back, Mark created two scholarships in memory of his parents; Les and Marty Steeley. These would go to graduating seniors who are attending a trade or technical school.
