Scholarships

The Foundation is honored to administer several named scholarship funds that benefit Greater Latrobe students.

CLICK on the individual scholarship to learn more.

Joey Dado, Jerry Ferraro Memorial Soccer Scholarship

Steven LoCascio Memorial Scholarship

Myron “Pete” Digenis Golf Scholarship

Richard J. Markovich Basketball Scholarship

Kathleen L. Marucco Memorial Theater & Visual Art Scholarship

Jonathan A. Stovich Memorial Scholarship

Coach Charles U. Findley Football Scholarship

Louis A. Smith Memorial Scholarships

Diane Funk Excellence in the Arts Scholarship

Jeff Giordan Field Hockey MVP Award

Girls Basketball Wildcat PRIDE Scholarship

The Jonathan Kurt Kay Memorial Scholarship

GLPIEF Annual Donation Scholarships
GLPIEF administers these scholarships through annual gifts from respective donors.

In addition to awarding scholarships to graduating seniors, annually GLPIEF awards scholarships to Greater Latrobe Senior High School students that are dual-enrolled. Dual-enrolled means they are taking college courses while in their high school classroom and earning college credits.  Students with financial need are awarded scholarships so they can afford the College in High School course tuition costs.  Greater Latrobe Senior High School has dual enrollment agreements with several local colleges and universities and the program allows students to gain the valuable experience of taking college-level courses. 

Are you interested in learning more about our scholarship opportunities? Please contact Jessica Golden at [email protected]

The Joey Dado, Jerry Ferraro Memorial Soccer Scholarships

Background

The Joey Dado Memorial Scholarship award was established in 2010 to recognize a graduating member of both the men’s and women’s Greater Latrobe Senior High School soccer teams.  The award will honor student/athletes who plan on furthering their education and who have demonstrated strong character, sportsmanship, role-model behavior, and the love of soccer.

Joseph (Joey) Dado graduated from Greater Latrobe High School in 2009.  Joey was an honor student, member of the National Honor Society, and winner of the Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete award.  He lettered in varsity track, football and soccer.  He was an accomplished placekicker for the Latrobe Football Team where he earned section honors his senior year.  Soccer, however, was Joey’s true passion. He was a four year starter and two year captain of the Latrobe Soccer Team where he earned 1st Team All Section Honors three times. A gifted athlete for sure, but Joey is most remembered for the quality of his character and his friendly disposition.  He treated others in a kind and respectful manner, he loved to laugh, and he always had a smile on his face.Upon graduation, Joey enrolled in the college of Engineering at Penn State University.  He died in a tragic accident in September, 2009. He is survived by his loving family, including his father, Joseph Dado Jr, mother Denise Dado, and sisters Natalie Dado, Nicole Dado, and Jennifer Dado.

In 2021, the scholarship was renamed as the Joey Dado, Jerry Ferraro Memorial Scholarship to memorialize GLSD educator and soccer coach Jerry Ferraro. Joey and Jerry both loved soccer and had roots to the Greater Latrobe High School Soccer program. Jerry was Joey’s coach for three of the years he played for Latrobe.

The Joey Dado, Jerry Ferraro Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide two awards: one for a senior male student on the Greater Latrobe Senior High School men’s soccer team and one for a senior female student on the Greater Latrobe Senior High School women’s soccer team.  These students should exemplify good sportsmanship, sound leadership and dedication to hard work and team play.  In addition the awardees should demonstrate a passion for the game of soccer, be a positive role-model for their team and have the respect of their teammates.   Awardees must pursue continuing their education upon graduating from Greater Latrobe Senior High School.

Recipients
2023 Sofia DeCerb and Nik Manolakos
2022 Morgan Reilly and Brennan Campbell
2021 Madeline DeLucio and Isaac Bigi
2020 Madison Shafron and Ian Malone
2019 Michael Hook and Marshall Kalning
2018 Hannah Nemanic and Matthew Byrd
2017 Halle Green and Alden Hoch
2016 Hannah Mears and Matthew Kemerer
2015 Stephanie Kubus and Coby Green
2014 Allison LaDuke and Seth Leeper
2013 Jane Piontkowski and Caleb Jackson
2012 Stephanie Huston and David Halula
2011 Mollie Yandrick and Patrick Davoli
2010 Hilary Bastin and Nathaniel Helfferich

The Steven LoCascio Memorial Scholarship

Background

Steven LoCascio dedicated 41 years of service in education to the Greater Latrobe School District. He had been a Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Football and Baseball Coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and retired as Principal at Greater Latrobe Senior High School. After retirement, Mr. LoCascio served four years as a member of the Greater Latrobe School Board. Mr. LoCascio was a beloved educator who dedicated countless hours teaching and coaching students – he served as a mentor to many students and staff. For many years, Mr. LoCascio quietly supported students’ educational needs with personal contributions and made certain students had the resources they needed to be successful in school and in life. 

Outside of his coaching for the school district, he also spent many years coaching Latrobe-Derry Teener League baseball. Mr. LoCascio earned his bachelor’s degree in education from St. Vincent College, his master’s degree in math from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and later returned to St. Vincent College where he earned a master’s in theology. While at St. Vincent for his undergraduate degree, he was a member of the St. Vincent Fire Department. Mr. LoCascio was a longtime, active member at St. Benedict Church, Marguerite. On June 20, 2020, he was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Greensburg and was assigned to serve St. Benedict and Our Lady of Grace Parishes. Mr. LoCascio dedicated much time as a volunteer in service to others for the Westmoreland County Food Bank, at St. Emma’s Monastery, Greensburg and with the St. Luke Foundation that supports the least served people in Haiti. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, reading, working jig saw puzzles, playing cards, and flower gardening. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. 

This Fund was created to carry on Steven LoCascio’s outstanding legacy in the Greater Latrobe School District and continue his efforts to support and lift up students in financial need and provide a pathway for their success through continuing education.  To donate to this fund – visit https://glpief.org/donations/1583-3/

The Myron “Pete” Digenis Golf Scholarship

Background

The Myron “Pete” Digenis Memorial Award was established in 2009 to recognize a member of the Greater Latrobe Senior High School boys’ golf team that embodies Pete Digenis’s characteristics of good sportsmanship and school leadership, dedication to hard work, teamwork, and respect for the great game of golf.

Myron “Pete” Digenis, class of 1942, attended St. Vincent College and, after a stint at Alco, joined his brother and sister as partners in a local icon – the Greensburg Sporting Goods Company – until his retirement in 1980. Pete, 85, succumbed to illness and passed away in The Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Greensburg. Son of the late John and Mary Janos Digenis, he is survived by two sisters, Kathryne Digenis and Sophya Zaphyr and husband, Dr. Peter, and a brother, Harry Digenis, all of Greensburg; his beloved niece, Mary “Kitty” Hagy and husband, Douglas, of Greensburg, and nephew, John Zaphyr and wife, Karen, of Cranberry Township; and grandnephews, Charles and Matthew Hagy and Christopher and Hunter Zaphyr.

This award is offered to a student on the high school golf team.  The student should exhibit:  characteristics of good sportsmanship and school leadership, dedication to hard work, teamwork, and respect for the great game of golf.

Recipients

2023 Jake Pavlik
2022 Owen Miele and Daylan Yeager
2021 Dominic Atkinson
2020 Mario Battaglia
2019 Jacob Krinock
2018 Michael Sherid
2017 Jake Biss
2016 Ryan Shaw
2015 Tommy Kisick
2014 Adam Martin
2013 Ben Havrilla
2012 Ryan Staffen
2011 Daniel Bucci
2010 Benjamin Gjebre

The Richard J. Markovich Basketball Scholarship

Background

The Richard J. Markovich Scholarship Award was established in 2015 to recognize a graduating senior of the Greater Latrobe Senior High School’s Boys Basketball Team. The award honors a graduating member of the team who represents the leadership and dedication Richard J. Markovich displayed as a student-athlete at Latrobe.

Richard Markovich graduated from Latrobe High School in 1960. During his senior year, he was selected as co-captain of the Boys Basketball team and averaged nearly 16 points per game, before he suffered a debilitating separated shoulder. Although out for the remainder of the season, he continued to attend every game and practice, providing leadership, motivation and encouraging fair play.

This award was created by Richard’s son, Scott Markovich, who is also a graduate of Greater Latrobe. Upon learning about the Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation, Scott wanted to do something to honor his dad. The idea emerged to create an award for a student participating in a game his father loved as a student.

The awardee should exemplify student leadership with special dedication to hard work and sportsmanship in the areas of academics and athletics.  He should be a positive role-model for his school and have the respect of his teammates.   The awardee must also be continuing their education upon graduating from Greater Latrobe Senior High School.

Recipients

2023 Dante Basciano
2022 Chase Sickenberger
2021 Ryan Sickenberger
2020 Michael Noonan
2019 Noah Belak
2018 Adam Bisignani
2017 Anthony Aiello
2016 Sean Graytok
2015 Matthew Dragan

The Kathleen L. Marucco Memorial Theater & Visual Art Scholarship

Background

The Kathleen L. Marucco Scholarship Award was established in 2017 to recognize a graduating senior who will be continuing their education in the areas of visual art and/or theater.  The awardee should be a positive role-model and have the respect of their fellow students.

Kathleen “Kathy” Marucco graduated in 1971 from Greater Latrobe Senior HIgh School.  While attending Greater Latrobe schools, Kathy excelled academically and developed her love of art and theater.  Kathy went on to Edinboro College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art.  Kathy’s art education laid the foundation for her 40 year career in advertising.  The Kathleen L. Marucco Scholarship Fund is being established by her family to recognize a deserving student of the Greater Latrobe Senior High School.

The recipient is to be a graduating senior who excels in visual arts and/or theater and plans to continue their education majoring in one of those areas of study.

Recipients

2023 Halie Nicholson
2022 Rose Butina
2021 Sofia Herr
2020 Matthew Cox
2019 Tate McElhaney
2018 Layne Lazor
2017 Alena Barlock

The Jonathan A. Stovich Memorial Wrestling Scholarship

Background

The Jonathan A. Stovich Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 2017 to carry on Jonathan’s winning spirit and his love of wrestling.  The award will recognize graduating seniors of the Greater Latrobe Senior High School’s Wrestling Team.

Jonathan A. Stovich graduated from Greater latrobe High School in 2002.  While in school Jonathan excelled on the Wildcat Wrestling team.  Jonathan won numerous matches, awards and finished 6th in the state during his senior year.  Jonathan remained active with youth wrestling after graduation and was a coach for the Greater latrobe Organization for Wrestling (G.L.O.W.).  Wrestling was Jonathan’s passion and this award will honor the sport he loved so dearly and support young athletes for their next phase of life.

The recipients should exemplify the qualities of leadership and character with special dedication to hard work and good sportsmanship.  The awardees should be positive role-models for their school and have the respect of their teammates.  The awardees must be continuing some kind of higher education degree or certificate upon graduating from Greater Latrobe Senior High School.

Recipients

2023 Corey Boerio, Vinny Kilkeary, Nathan Roth
2022 Tyler Lynch
2021 Izac Lewis
2020 Mitchell Tryon
2019  Nathaniel Cochran
2018  Tyler Zellers
2017  Joel Cawoski, Carson Palmer, Josh Kennedy

Coach Charles U. Findley Football Scholarship

Background:
The Charles U. Findley Endowed Fund will annually award a scholarship in memory of Charles U. Findley to a Greater Latrobe Senior High School graduating senior on the Wildcat football team.  Charles “Chuck” Findley coached for Greater Latrobe for 12 years from 1956 to 1968 winning four Foothills Conference championships in 1959, 1960, 1965 and 1968. The 1968 team won the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) football championship. Coach Findley made a positive lasting impact on the lives of so many of his players and students.  This Fund was established in 2019 to make sure his legacy lives on forever.  After many years of teaching social studies and coaching, Findley served as an administrator at Greater Latrobe School District until his retirement.  Coach Findley provided his students and players with many of the tools to be productive citizens that ultimately led to successful lives. During the twilight of Coach Findley’s life, his wife Pat was diagnosed with ALS and he believed his greatest life achievement was caring for her during her illness.

The scholarship will be presented annually to a graduating senior enrolled full-time at the Greater Latrobe Senior High School. The recipient will receive a scholarship to assist with their continuing education.  The awardee must be a current player on the Greater Latrobe Wildcat football team and enrolled full-time in Greater Latrobe Senior High School. The awardee should be a positive role model and have the respect of their fellow student-athletes.   The  recipient must be continuing their education upon graduating, which could include a one or two-year training program or associates/ bachelors degree program.Any graduating senior that meets the award qualifications may submit an application.Applications will be available through the GLSHS guidance and athletic office.  

Recipients

2023 Corey Boerio
2022 Robert Fetter
2021 Luke Zylka
2020 Anthony Rock
2019 Richard Sweeney

The Louis A. Smith Memorial Scholarships

Background

Louis A. Smith graduated in 1970 from Greater Latrobe Senior High School.  He earned degrees from Salem College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and made his home in West Hollywood, California.  Louis worked in the film industry, was part owner of Ric’s Restaurant and had a generally creative spirit.  The Louis A. Smith Endowed Fund is being established by his mother, Dolores Burns, in memory of her son, and to recognize deserving students of the Greater Latrobe Senior High School and to support performing arts programs of the Greater Latrobe School District.  The Fund was created in the belief that the creative arts aids students in skills needed in the workplace; flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.  This Fund will both recognize students for their achievement in the creative arts and will also offer program support specifically to the performing arts programs.

Recipients

2023 Lily Haverly and Richard Hillwig
2022 Jaden Alesi and Reese McCracken
2021 Katelyn Ulicne and Noah Schaefer

Diane Funk Excellence in the Arts Scholarship

Background

The Diane Funk Excellence in Art Scholarship was created in 2019 to assist a Greater Latrobe Senior High School student interested in pursuing a career in the arts.  Diane Funk, Class of 1956, established this scholarship as a lifelong artist and art educator in recognition of the special experience that Greater Latrobe students have living daily with the Special Art Collection and her strong desire to encourage future Greater Latrobe alumni to pursue a career in the arts.  The scholarship will recognize a deserving student of the Greater Latrobe Senior High School and promote the study of the arts.

Recipients
2023 Taryn Yutzy
2022 Rose Butina
2021 Skyler Demalta
2020 MacKenzie Crispin

Jeff Giordan Field Hockey MVP Award

Background

Jeff Giordan has coached the ladies field hockey team since 2008, and in his 11 years as head coach, he has not only developed talented young athletes, but has helped prepare his players to be young adults ready for the college road ahead of them.  Win or lose, on or off the field, Coach Giordan, or “Beetle” as his players will call him, treats each player, coach, official, or fan with the utmost respect. At any time, Coach Giordan would take the extra hours out of his schedule to help a player learn and perfect their field hockey skills.  This would not be an uncommon occurrence for his favorite sport lacrosse in which he also coaches several teams including our very own Lady Wildcats, with one of his former athletes Kaytie Russo. This leadership award honors a true and talented coach that all of his current and former athletes would agree is a natural born and well-respected leader, both on and off the field. 

Recipients

2023 Megan Brackney
2022 Josie Straigis
2021 Sarah Matsko
2020 Sophia Stynchula

The Jonathan Kurt Kay Memorial Football Scholarship

Background

Jonathan Kurt Kay died on May 3, 2019 from pancreatic cancer.  He was a wonderful man and full of life. He was an outstanding football player when he attended Greater Latrobe High School.  He went on to play football in college and thereafter enjoyed a successful career as an entrepreneur.  The recipient will be a graduating senior football player that plans to further their education after high school.

Recipients

2023 Daniel Calabrace
2022 Aidan Sweeney
2021 Raymon Henderson
2020 Mitchell Tryon

The Girls Basketball Wildcat PRIDE Scholarship

Background

The Wildcat Pride Award is presented annually to a senior member of the Girls Varsity Basketball Team. the award is presented to the student athlete that best exemplifies Wildcat PRIDE, personal responsibility in daily excellence on the court, in the classroom, in the community and in her personal life. The recipient is to be a member of the Girls Basketball Team and a graduating senior.

Recipients

2023 Emma Blair
2022 Anna Rafferty
2021 Rachel Ridilla