Ruth E. Owen Scholarship

Russ Owen established the Ruth E. Owen Scholarship Fund in memory of his beloved wife. He met Ruthie during World War II when he was home on leave. The couple carried on a long-distance romance throughout the war. Ruthie lived in Pittsburgh and worked as a secretary and a professional singer. She performed on the Rege Cordic and Bill Cullen Show on WWSW and with a group called the Melody Guild.

Ruthie trained in New York for the Metropolitan Opera and considered moving there but, as fate would have it, she remained in Pittsburgh and married her beloved Russell. Russ’ hope for this scholarship is that students who are pursuing further education in music can achieve their dream.

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable
• Approximately $1,525 available
• Applicant must:
  • Be a graduating senior from any Armstrong County high school
  • Be accepted at a college or university with a declared major in music

All applicants must complete the online scholarship application, including his/her response to the following essay question.

Essay Question

Please attach an essay of no more than one page in which you define what your involvement in the fine and/or performing arts has meant to you during high school and how you hope to incorporate that interest into your adult life.

Past Recipients

• 2008-09 Janelle Dodd
• 2010-11 Molly Cavanaugh
• 2011-12 Stephanie Beck
• 2012-13 Joshua Daisley
• 2013-14 Mark Wasilko
• 2014-15 Cassandra Velcko
• 2015-16 Angelina Acevedo
• 2016-17 Anne Sorisio
• 2020-21 Isabel Valasek