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Michael Petronchek Musical Scholarship

Mike Petronchek was a well known musician in our community. During the 40′s Mike played trombone in Angie Sgro and Johnny Murphy’s Dance Band. He loved the Big Band sound and attended many of the formal dances that were held at Laube Hall in Freeport to benefit charity. Mike served as a radio operator with the 8th Air Force during World War II because of his great “ear”. He received his bachelor’s degree from IUP and his master’s from Penn State.

For nearly four decades Mike shared his love of music with children here in Armstrong County. He was the Ford City High School music director from 1958 through 1984 and organized the county’s first elementary school band at Lenape Elementary. In his honor, the Michael Petronchek Musical Scholarship Fund was established for Ford City High School graduates pursuing an education in music.

Scholarship Details

  • Available to High School Seniors
  • Nonrenewable
  • Approximately $2,900 available
  • Applicant must:
    • Be a graduating senior from Armstrong High School (preference); otherwise, from any Armstrong County high school
    • Be accepted at a college, university, or vocational school in the United States as a full-time student 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

Write an essay of no more than one page that answers two of the following three questions: 1.) Who has helped you reach your goals? 2.) How will you be successful in college and in life? 3.) What do you perceive to be the biggest obstacle to your success? Restate the question in the first sentence of the paragraph of each section of your essay. If you mention other people, refer to them without using their name, such as father, mother, brother, sister, etc.

 

Past Recipients

  • 2006-07 Lindsay Huet
  • 2007-08 Elizabeth Visnesky and Giovanna Pinto
  • 2008-09 Natalie Lynn Zambotti
  • 2010-11 Phillip Wyant
  • 2011-12 Orren Vigo
  • 2012-13 Erin Marshall
  • 2013-14 Virginia Frack
  • 2014-15 Cassandra Velcko
  • 2015-16 Rachel Curfman
  • 2016-17 Anne Sorisio
  • 2020-21 Noah Soloski
  • 2020-21 Isabel Valasek