The Ethel G. Swanbeck Scholarship is awarded by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Ohio to a graduating high school senior who plans to study in an allied health field at an Ohio college or university.
Brookfield High School student Nicholas Varga, who has won the $2,000 scholarship for 2018, already has extensive volunteer experience in the health field.
Varga has participated in many programs that benefit Akron Children’s Hospital through the school’s Teen Outreach Program.
“There, we do things to benefit the kids and do programs to help raise money for kids with cancer and other sorts of diseases,” Nicholas said at the Masury-Brookfield Women’s Club’s May 14 spring installation banquet, where fellow senior Noelle Swartz was awarded the Masury-Brookfield Women’s Club Scholarship.
The outreach group raised money through a coin drive and a collection at a Mahoning Valley Scrappers game, and held a book drive.
“We collected over 3,000 books at our school, and, all the books we collected, we made sure they were in top condition, and we donated all the books to the hospital to make sure the kids have something to read when they’re at the hospital,” Nicholas said.
In other community service efforts, Nicholas was involved in a program to teach younger children the rules of the road – “When to cross the street, when not to cross the street, and what lights and warnings to look for when doing so.” – volunteered at book fairs and helped spruce up Brookfield Township Community Park.
Nicholas, who will study mathematical physics at Kent State University, said he was very moved by participating in a fishing day for people with disabilities.
“Just seeing that and having them experience that moment of fishing and seeing the joy in their faces made the world to me,” he said.
Noelle Swartz, right, is shown with Brookfield-Masury Women’s Club member Mary Schmidt, left, and club President Ruth Hawkins.
Noelle, who received $500, was chosen for her accomplishments at school and activities at her church and in the community.
She excelled in band and was band vice president, and was a member of the Brookfield Drama Club and National Honor Society. She volunteered at book fairs and Trunk-or-Treat, the Halloween program at the elementary school.
Noelle volunteered for the Brookfield Backpack Program and at a local preschool and helped run movie night at the Warren Amphitheater.
“With this impressive involvement in school, church and community activities, Noelle is deserving of our scholarship,” said club member Mary Schmidt. “We wish her success in her future endeavors at Youngstown State University.”
Noelle plans to major in middle school education.
Photo shows Nicholas Varga with Ruth Hawkins.
