JOHNSTOWN — The Zahorchak Economic Endowment Fund, named in honor of Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, is a dual education fund that provides scholarship aid for low-income youths who are committed to pursuing education for in-demand professions—that is, where the need for skilled personnel is greatest.
The fund encourages students to enter a dual education program that allows them to take college courses and earn post-secondary credit while completing high school graduation requirements. Joan Benso, executive director of the Pennsylvania Partnership for Children, is quick to point out that dual enrollment is a vital program to reform high school education, thus helping provide access to post-secondary education for students of the Commonwealth.
The Zahorchak Education-Economic Endowment was established in 2006 through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies to provide low-income students with the skills necessary to meet the technical demands of the marketplace, thus keeping Pennsylvania talent at home.
The fund supplements the state’s Dual Enrollment Program by providing additional dollars to eligible low-income students whose needs exceed the amount of funds granted under the state program.
The Zahorchak Fund and its goals have been endorsed by a select advisory committee, which includes leading state officials, educators, and civic and business executives from across the Commonwealth. The Endowment uses available funds for students’ grants only; no funds are used for EITC programmatic activities.
Amy Arcurio, Assistant Superintendent with the Greater Johnstown School District, is inviting the community to honor Dr. Jerry Zahorchak as he embarks on his journey of retirement, while continuing to support his legacy of a fair and equitable educational opportunity for all.
Jerry Zahorchak’s Retirement Celebration will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, located at 301 Napoleon St. in downtown Johnstown. The celebration starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes till 8:30 p.m. A cost of $58 per person will support the evening and the Zahorchak Education-Economic Endowment Fund.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available – please contact Amy Arcurio for more information:
-GOLD ($2,500 and up) sponsors will be recognized throughout the evening via multimedia and receive 10 tickets for the event.
-SILVER ($1,000 to $2,499) sponsors will be recognized throughout the evening via multimedia and receive 8 tickets.
-BRONZE ($500 to $999) sponsors will be recognized throughout the evening via multimedia and receive 4 tickets.
