Guidance

Criteria: High school and college students in Wayne County, PA

• attend school in the Lackawaxen Watershed.  (The high schools in the Lackawaxen Watershed are Honesdale H. S., Wallenpaupack Area H.S., Western Wayne H. S., and Canaan Christian Academy H. S.)
• intend to pursue a career supporting environmental conservation
• plan to major in college in a subject area that will lead to the achievement of this career goal.

The amount of the award is $500.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed student application
2. Essay discussing an environmental issue of concern to applicant and why.
3. School report and recommendation from counselor
4. Official transcript including GPA.
5. High school profile
6. Recommendation from a science teacher
7. Deadline: April 10, 2026

 Requirements

Wayne County resident

Senior in high school, graduating in 2026

At least a “C” average

Furthering education beyond high school (e.g., trade school, or college/university)

Completion of an essay about civic engagement (approximately 500 words)

Scholarship applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Graduating High School Senior
2. Legal residency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
3. Attendance at a Pennsylvania college, university, or career school as a full-time student
4. Academic achievement (minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA in high school)
5. Commitment to community and demonstrated leadership qualities
6. Extracurricular activities
7. Financial need

Essay

With the growing popularity of Artificial Intelligence (AI), should AI be used in the legislative process (i.e. researching ideas, drafting legislation)? Discuss the potential risks and benefits of AI and what policies you would introduce to regulate AI usage in the legislative process.

•List the college/university you plan on attending post high school. Students must pursue a major in Physical Therapy or a related field.

•Essay is required. Why I am pursuing a career in physical therapy

•Attach a high school transcript to the application.

–          1 scholarship is awarded for $6,300

–          Open to graduating seniors who live in within Lackawanna, Wayne or Pike County.

–          Have demonstrated community service activities within programs/agencies  funded by United Way.

–          Minimum GPA of 2.5 or better

–          Submit a valid FAFSA Score (SAI Number) with completed application

–          Be accepted by an accredited university, college or trade school in a two or four year degree program for 2025/2026 academic year.

1. Current or most recent Transcript;
2. Proof of enrollment in college or vocational training program;
3. Two (2) letters of Recommendation from two (2) different sources. Recommendations can’t be from a relative. Recommendations from a teacher, professor, guidance counselor, school official, employer, clergy, and the like are preferred;
4. An essay which addresses your specific educational and career goals and how your educational endeavor will help you accomplish these goals and/or make a difference in your professional career.  Include information concerning your background, your family, education, volunteer activities; your goals in life; your strengths/weaknesses, and the reasons why you want to pursue your selected career.  The Wayne County Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship Committee will consider your essay carefully when your application is evaluated.  It should be well thought out and relevant to your career goals.  (Please limit your essay to 500 words);
5. Certification and Release; and
6. Completed Waiver Request, if desired.

1. Current or most recent Transcript;

2. Proof of enrollment in college or vocational training program;

3. Two (2) letters of Recommendation from two (2) different sources. Recommendations can’t be from a relative. Recommendations from a teacher, professor, guidance counselor, school official, employer, clergy, and the like are preferred;

4. Family Member is/was a veteran or service person

5. An essay which addresses your specific educational and career goals and how your educational endeavor will help you accomplish these goals and/or make a difference in your professional career.  Include information concerning your background, your family, education, volunteer activities; your goals in life; your strengths/weaknesses, and the reasons why you want to pursue your selected career.  Additionally, and most critical to this scholarship application, please discuss how the family member’s service to America impacted your life. The Wayne County Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship Committee will consider your essay carefully when your application is evaluated.  It should be well thought out and relevant to your career goals.  (Please limit your essay to 500 words);

6. Certification and Release; and

7. Completed Waiver Request, if desired.

– Senior’s name

– Name of their parent/grandparent that is a Disabled veteran (and branch of service )

– High school’s name

– Name of intended college, university, trade school, or military plans, etc. and along with proposed major/specialty

The parent/grandparent must have been disabled (military service connected) in some way. We DO NOT need discharge paperwork, or Veteran Administration proof. 

Local high school seniors from Western Wayne High School, Honesdale High
School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, Damascus Christian Academy,
Canaan Christian Academy, Delaware Valley as well as home-schooled seniors who reside within the areas covered by those high schools. Essay submissions must be submitted via email to director@seedsgroup.net on or before 8:00 pm Thursday, April 30, 2026.

1. Must be a 2026 High School Graduate

2. Copy of High School Transcript

3. Copy of College Acceptance Letter 4. Submit 2 Letters of Recommendation (non family)

5. Participated at the Wayne County Fair, worked, volunteered, exhibited, etc. within the last three out of four years.

6. 2 Essay questions

Award Amount: $1000.00

Requirements:  An essay of approximately 500 words regarding ‘Character’.  Prompts may include but not be limited to…  What does character mean to you?  How would you define character?  The importance of character in our lives and in our community.  You may also include any personal examples of character. Essay is deliverable to either your guidance dept. or can be emailed to andrewmazzafoundation@gmail.com. Any suspected use of AI will be automatically disqualified.

Residency:

·         Resident of Wayne or Pike County Pennsylvania

Qualified Institutions and Level of Study

·         Any Nursing Program

·         Two-year college

·         Four-year college

·         School must have an accredited nursing program

·         School must be in the United States

Academic Requirements

·         Good academic standing planning to graduate on time

Accepted into a nursing program

·         Graduating student who resides in Wayne County

·         Planning to attend an accredited college and majoring in a horticultural or agricultural field. Other fields of interest include horticulture/floral design or a related field such as agriculture, agribusiness, etc.

To be eligible, winners must be enrolled, or plan to be enrolled, as a “College Student” (undergraduate or graduate student at a federally approved educational institution under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965) during the 2026-27 school year, or the parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of a college student as previously outlined. The enrollment status of the College Student will be verified with the educational institution prior to disbursement of any prize. PHEAA’s inability to verify enrollment prior to or at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year will be grounds for ineligibility.

The following criteria will be used in the screening of applications:

· Candidates must be a graduating senior in the Spring/Summer of 2026 from a public or private school within the geographic boundaries of the Western Wayne School District. · Candidates must be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

· Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to community services. · Dependents of Hamlin Lake Ariel Rotary Members are not eligible.

Essay Prompt: In 500 words or less, please describe a quality or life experience that you are proud of. Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it. 

• US Citizens
• Graduating high school seniors who have been accepted into an accredited undergraduate cybersecurity program or closely related field at a U.S. college or university.

Students should demonstrate academic preparedness, genuine interest in cybersecurity through extracurricular activities or self-directed learning, and a strong work ethic.

l. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior in any of the following school districts: Delaware Valley, East Stroudsburg North, Forest City, North Pocono, Wallenpaupack, Wayne Highlands or Western Wayne including those enrolled in a state-approved home school program; and

2. Applicant must be enrolled in either an Associates or Bachelor degree level program, or a post secondary trade or technical school, and is starting their courses in the summer or fall semester of the current year; and,

3. Applicant must have contributed to community service locally or in school; and,

4. Applicant must meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

Be a member of the GDS Fair

Be a child or grandchild of a member of the GDS Fair

Have contributed significantly to the preparation and/or conduct of the GDS Fair in the past 3 years