Our Inspiration

Cloyd & Rita Rose Scholarship

My parents, Rita & Cloyd Rose were always avid supporters of the Fort LeBoeuf Community, it’s academic, athletic and arts programs. My parents regularly attended many Bison athletic events and music and industrial arts events.  Further, the Rose family has always had a love for Penn State. My family wanted to honor our parents by helping young Fort LeBoeuf graduates obtain a Penn State education. 

My mother, Rita, was a kindergarten teacher for many years, and helped students develop a love of learning.  Cloyd, my father, was a civil engineer, and was a proud Penn State graduate.  Three of their children attended Penn State and the fourth son was a professor there.  So far, seven of their grandchildren have obtained degrees from Penn State.  With this love of PSU, my family decided to set up a scholarship for a FLB senior who planned to attend any Penn State branch.  We try to recognize a senior student that has demonstrated excellence in the classroom, on the athletic venue and in the arts or extracurricular activities.  WE ARE …………   Fort LeBoeuf & Penn State.

The Evelyn Askey-Zaleski Scholarship

Evelyn Askey Zaleski was an artist and art educator at Fort LeBoeuf School District, most recently at the high school level. Her beautiful watercolors are exhibited in galleries across Erie and Crawford counties. Her devotion to art education and her students was exemplified in her development of a strong visual arts program at Fort LeBoeuf High School. As a member of PAEA (Pennsylvania Art Education Association) she received many accolades for her outstanding accomplishments as an art educator.

She and her family started this scholarship to benefit visual arts students at Fort LeBoeuf High School.  They are inspired by the latin phrase, “Ars longa, vita brevis,” which means, “Life is brief, but art is eternal.” They believe that whatever course of study a student pursues after their graduation from Fort LeBoeuf High School, the study and creation of art will enrich their lives and that one has not to look far to realize that art is essential and pervasive in all aspects of day-to-day living.

The purpose of the Mrs. Evelyn Askey Zaleski scholarship is to assist students in their pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in a field of their choice.  We hope that the recipient will not only continue to enjoy art in their own life but share that appreciation with others. An application can be obtained through the Fort LeBoeuf High School guidance office.

Greg Nelson Memorial Scholarship

Greg was a 1992 graduate of Fort LeBoeuf. He was an athlete who excelled in football, baseball, and wrestling. Those who knew Greg would best describe him as a prankster who had a smile and laugh that could light up any room! His fun-loving, generous spirit is what many people were drawn to. Along with being involved in sports, he also had a great appreciation for the outdoors and music, especially loud music! Not only was he an avid hunter and fisherman, but he also took pride in protecting and caring for the wilderness. His sense of adventure coupled with a thrill-seeking, humorous attitude was what also made him easy to be around! Greg was a “hands-on” learner and at the time of his passing, he was the first of his age to work in the tool department of the former Snap Tite in Union City. We lost Greg due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1995 at the age of just 22. Though this was truly devastating to all who knew him, something incredible would bloom from that loss.

Our family felt a desire to create a means for Greg’s legacy to carry on. We decided on a memorial scholarship. It would be awarded to a graduating senior but how do you do that? Brainstorming began with the help of a wonderful man named Mr. Art Bergamasco, the principal at the high school at that time. Over the course of the next year, our family, several community members, and Art would create the backbone of the foundation. Not only was this an amazing way to honor Greg, but it has become a vessel for many loved ones to continue to be remembered and honored as well. Those who paved the way have said,  they couldn’t have imagined how one family’s heartbreak could grow into something so beautiful.

Greg’s scholarship is a true reflection of who he was as a person. Students pursuing a tool and dye, manufacturing, forestry, land management career, or a related field close to those fundamentals would qualify for this second-semester scholarship. The focus is primarily on attending a technical school or community college though a four-year university could also be considered.

The Dustin T. Fortin Memorial Scholarship

The Dustin T. Fortin Memorial Scholarship was created in honor of Dustin Fortin, a 2003 graduate of Fort LeBoeuf. Dustin’s life was taken in an automobile accident on June 27, 2004, shortly after completing his freshman year of college at Penn State Behrend but not before living a very full life in his short 19 years.  Dustin’s love was the farm where he raised cows and pigs. He was an active 4-H club member for 10 years and elected to the state 4-H council. He was known for his smile and his willingness to help anyone that needed help.

After Dustin’s passing, his family decided to see his memory of living life to the fullest by starting a scholarship in his memory. For 14-years they held an annual golf tournament to raise funds for the scholarship with the participation of Dustin’s friends and family. After placing the scholarships with the Fort LeBoeuf Foundation, Dustin’s oldest brother, Denny Fortin, began to get involved with the Foundation and impressed with its mission. Denny was elected as president of the Foundation in 2008 and has continued to serve in that capacity ever since.

The Fortin family found a way to continue the memory of their son, brother, and friend through the Fort LeBoeuf Foundation in the Dustin T. Fortin Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is offered to graduating Fort LeBoeuf seniors who have been part of the agricultural community or are pursuing a degree in agriculture. Applicants are asked to complete an application available through the guidance office that includes essays on who has made a difference in their life and whose lives they have made a difference. The Fortin family is proud to have offered the scholarship since 2004 to continue the memory of Dustin who made a difference in their life and the lives of so many others. The scholarship is announced at Honors Convocation and paid to the student after the successful completion of their first semester.

James and Marilyn Gaber Scholarship

James Gaber Sr. was a lifelong resident of Waterford, where he ran a successful business for 40 years. He started doing body shop work and eventually learned to straighten frames on vehicles involved in accidents. Jim came from having very little as a child but never gave up on his dream of owning his own business. The business grew, not by advertising but by word of mouth from happy customers. He was the kind of guy who was able to fix or build anything. He just had that natural skill and intelligence, but most of all an incredible work ethic, which he instilled in his kids and grandkids. He was sure to let us know that if we wanted something, we would have to work for it. Jim enjoyed sharing his knowledge with local technical schools, having classes come and spend the day with him and he always believed that trade schools and college degrees were equally important. Jim was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, in the fall of 2015 and passed away in February of 2017. In his usual fashion, he worked so hard to beat cancer. He NEVER gave up. 

Jim left behind his wife of 53 years, Marilyn Gaber. Marilyn worked for the Fort LeBoeuf School District for 13 years, both as the Substitute Coordinator and as a cafeteria lady at Waterford Elementary. She has continued to be a volunteer in her church as well as at Hamot hospital. She is also a loving mother and grandmother to her three children and her three grandchildren. This scholarship was her idea as a way to remember and celebrate her wonderful husband. 

This scholarship is intended to go to a student that plans on attending a four-year college for an undergraduate degree, or a technical school for an associate degree. The student must have an incredible work ethic in all that they do and a never give up attitude, as well as being a volunteer in their community. We are looking for that student who doesn’t tell people how great they are but rather shows them. 

Students apply for this scholarship through the Fort LeBoeuf High School guidance department.

The Kuhn Family Scholarship

“After both of my parents had passed away, I was looking for a way to keep their spirit alive, and give back to the community. My parents, Daniel and Virginia Kuhn moved to Waterford in 1967 and raised five children there. My parents were active in the community and taught us the value of higher education and being philanthropic. My siblings and I decided to start a scholarship in their names to aid others in reaching their goals.” (Valerie Rose)

Each year, a graduating senior is awarded a scholarship based on academic achievement, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Students are encouraged to contact the Fort LeBoeuf High School guidance department to apply.

The Merry Family Scholarship

The Merry Family Scholarship was the idea of Charles and Frances Merry. They raised their family in the Waterford area and got to see not only their children but also their grandchildren and great-grandchildren attend Fort LeBoeuf. They were known for their involvement with St. Cyprian’s/All Saints Catholic Parish in the area. Habitat for Humanity was another passion to which they devoted many hours. This scholarship was seen as a small way to contribute to the community that had given so much to them. Education, hard work, and service to the community were cherished ideals in their house, and it is hoped that this scholarship can help to further these in future generations.

Students apply for this scholarship through the Fort LeBoeuf High School guidance department.

The Ronald Oberlander Memorial Scholarship

Ronald Henry Oberlander was nothing short of an extraordinary community, family, and working man. Ron was a huge part of the Waterford community and was involved. He owned multiple properties throughout Waterford, which he was constantly working on and renting out. Ron also owned Oberlander Water and Gas Drilling, where he worked for about 20 years. Most mornings Ron could be found at Betty’s Diner with a coffee cup in his hand, while his blue heeler, Buddy, sat in the passenger seat of his van.

Ron was a fearless man, always doing whatever he had to do to get a job done or helping someone out. He adored his family more than anything, especially his beautiful wife Karen. Ron not only served his community but his country as well in the Vietnam War, where he earned the Purple Heart after being shot in combat. One of Ron’s biggest hobbies was flying airplanes at his airport, which is where he could be found in his later years. Ron truly had a zest for life, enjoying every single day to the fullest until he passed away. Ron was more than just a body on this Earth, he truly lived to serve others and left an imprint on the hearts of those who knew him.

The Oberlander family began the scholarship to continue Ron’s impact in the lives of graduating Fort LeBoeuf seniors. Each year multiple recipients are selected to receive this award.

Waterford Invitational Scholarship

Over 50 years ago a golf tournament was started by Ben and Tom Bisbee. It was called the Waterford Open and there were 12 golfers the first year. They played at various courses over the years. The tournament is always the Sunday before Labor Day.  In 1993, when Ray Proctor Sr, a founding member of the group, passed away, it was decided to give a scholarship in his name as a memorial to him. The first scholarship was given to a graduating Fort LeBoeuf student in the spring of 1994.

Since that time the tournament has grown to over 20 foursomes and the name has been changed to the Waterford Invitational. Each year an average of 8 scholarships of $500.00 each is awarded to deserving students. To date, over $100,000.00 has been benefited graduating seniors from Fort LeBoeuf.