Two gardening clubs in the region offered scholarships to high school graduates to continue their studies.
n The Blair Garden Club awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Blair County senior whose career plans and community service reflect the values and beliefs of the organization.
2022 recipient Hailey Frontino is a graduate of Altoona Area High School and plans to major in plant science at Penn State University. Its ultimate goal is to do research in plant genetics to solve problems of food insecurity and save endangered fruit trees.
Frontino was active in AAHS music programs and was selected as president of the school’s literary magazine as well as treasurer of the Junior Academy of Science team. His outstanding service and leadership earned him recognition from the National Honor Society and the Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences. Frontino supports his school and local community by tutoring and volunteering for a local cancer foundation. She is the daughter of Edwin and Mary Frontino.
Students who plan to pursue careers in agriculture, biology, environmental engineering, floriculture, forestry, conservation, horticulture, landscape architecture, nursery production and management, plant pathology, soil science, turf management, and wildlife science are eligible for this annual scholarship.
n The Patton Garden Club provided scholarships to two seniors from Cambria Heights High School who wish to pursue post-secondary education.
A high school student scholarship was established in 2012 in memory of Evelyn and Paul McGough, longtime members of the Patton Garden Club. The McGoughs have been actively involved with the club for over 50 years. Evelyn was an accomplished artist and many of her paintings are displayed in homes and businesses in the area.
Each year, a plant sale by the club is held on the first Saturday in June, in conjunction with the annual Patton Yard sale. All money raised goes directly into the scholarship fund.
The $1,000 scholarships were presented to Braden Thomas and Henry Warner.
Braden dreams of being a doctor. He plans to attend St. Vincent College in Latrobe with a double major in biology and business.
Henry plans to attend Saint Francis University, Loretto, and major in environmental engineering.
