Ellicottville Class of 2024- THE BOB MCCARTHY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Bob McCarthy Foundation continues its tradition of providing scholarships to graduating students at ECS. The Foundation awards a $500 scholarship to students that demonstrate a good work ethic, determination and community service. Our goal is to support students pursuing higher education and or entering the trades.
This year a total of 4 Scholarships were presented by a Foundation Board member, Kathleen Moriarty- Fleming to the recipients at ECS.
Ellicottville Central School Recipients
William Benatovich will be attending The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford where he will be playing soccer for the Panthers and Major in English Education for 7th-12th graders. The New Visions Education program provided him the opportunity of student teaching and helped him decide on his direction to become a teacher. Throughout his time at ECS his involvement with his coaches and teachers inspired him to pay it forward in any way possible William has participated in numerous areas of community service including Memorial Band, Christmas Stroll, volunteering at local marathons and parking cars at the Fall Festival.
Emmylu Carls will be attending Clemson University with a Major in Political Science on a pre-law track. After college she hopes to go to law school and receive a law degree in anticipation to become a lawyer for criminal or family law. While at ECS Emmylu participated in several clubs and various activities and sports teams including basketball, softball and alpine ski racing. She served as Secretary of her class for five years, was a member of the National honor Society for two years and she was senior editor of the yearbook for two years, Adding to her diversity she was also member of the school band and jazz band. She was a co-founder and Vice President of the Ellicottville Central School Caring Closet an initiative to help needy students and families in the school district. She also volunteered for Project Christmas. She participated in the County Government program through the school where she participated in community service with Meals on Wheels. She also volunteered with special needs children at the Holiday Valley Tubing park during the annual Special Olympics event. She is a scholar athlete and was awarded a Youth Citizenship Award by the Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau.
Emma Lafferty will be attending SUNY Brockport for Science Adolescence Education. Through her rewarding work with the Peer Tutoring Program at ECS she found her passion for the field of education by teaching and mentoring her fellow students. She is a member of the West Valley Hose Company where she volunteers for community dinners. She has also volunteered with the SPCA of Olean walking dogs and feeding animals. She is grateful for the influence of the teachers at ECS and this experience has motivated her to the field of education where she will be able to give back to her community after graduation.
Dalayla Alexander will be attending Finger Lakes Community College with a Major of Physical Education and will be playing basketball for the college. Dalayla has been a student athlete throughout her time at ECS playing basketball, volleyball and track and field. During the covid years she struggled with school but by the 10th grade as school was getting back to normal she worked on the academic side of her high school life and turned her grades around. She knew to become a better athlete she needed to be a better student and she did. She has been on the student council for two years helping with league sports and school dances. She has volunteered in the community with local events including the annual marathons in Ellicottville. She hopes upon graduation from college to become a gym teacher and coach to help kids learn to be a part of their community.