Letters of Appreciation
Last years’ banquet speaker, Mr. Paul Ronan shared the following in a letter this past summer, 2006:
“Now that the chaos of graduation and moving out is over, I finally have the time to sit down and compose a thank you to everybody at the Allegany County Area Foundation for your support over the past four years and the opportunity to speak at this year’s banquet. I was not merely issuing superlatives when I said that the Belva Waite Scholarship and the Foundation were crucial to the opportunities I was able to take advantage of while at Syracuse University. I cannot imagine the past four years without my study abroad experiences in Spain and Uganda, and, as my parents will attest, neither would have been possible without the financial assistance of the Foundation and the Belva Waite Scholarship.”
“In a more intangible way, but one just as crucial as the financial assistance, the ‘moral’ support of the Foundation has also been a key to my intellectual development. Despite the rather disjointed and non-traditional path my undergraduate studies have taken, the Foundation has been behind me the entire way. On a similar note, I was deeply honored to be asked to speak at the banquet. First of all, it was a good excuse to learn more about Belva Waite, and, in many ways, the speech was a culmination of an undergraduate career that has been made possible by the Foundation. It was not only a chance to (try to) give advice to the students in the room, but was also an opportunity for me to reflect on the past four years of my life and pick some of the most important things I’ve learned.
So, one more time, my deepest gratitude. May the Foundation continue to support the aspirations of Allegany County’s youth and may I continue on the journey you’ve helped me launch into!”
Sincerely,
Paul Ronan
"This is Rob Jacobson, dad to Sean Jacobson who was awarded the $3,000 Belva Waite Scholarship... I just wanted to thank the members of the selection committee for choosing Sean...he is going to a fairly expensive school so this scholarship will be deeply appreciated...."
- Rob Jacobson
"It is a great honor to be named the recipient of the Kirby Jensen Memorial Scholarship. I am proud to say that I will be using this generous award to continue my higher education...where I will be studying Civil Engineering Technology...Thank you for this great honor."
- Rick Whitwood
"I just wanted to thank you for the Alfred Wood Scholarship that I received. It was an honor and it will be put to good use. The Foundation is wonderful and helps students to become successful. Thank you very much."
- Stephanie Falandys
"Thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the Walter F. & Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship. Thank you very much for your generosity."
- Charlean Mientkiewicz
"Thanks for giving to our daughter, Brittany, recipient of the Mary Bishop Award...so she can someday give back......"
- Cynthia Akins
