Our Mendyka Family Scholarship Recipients

2022: Jensyn Geiser

Jensyn will be attending El Centro College in Dallas Texas this fall to begin her Paramedicine Certification.  She is a first-generation college student who has already graduated from the Fire Academy and EMT School.  Coming from a family of Firefighters Jensyn’s main goal is to pursue Firefighting and give back to her community.  She one day hopes to become a Battalion Chief.

2021: Emily Luther

Emily attends Slippery Rock University in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and will be entering her senior year in Fall 2021.  She is dual majoring in Special Education and Early Childhood Education and is very excited to pursue a career as an educator. Emily is president of the Early Childhood Club on campus, an active member of the Honors College, and a peer mentor for the SRU RockTEACH program.  She also works with individuals with disabilities at a local therapeutic horseback riding program as part of her goal to serve others in the community.

2021: Emma Candelli

Emma will be attending Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, and will be entering her freshman year in Fall 2021.  She is dual majoring in Fire Science and Paramedicine. Emma is very excited to pursue a career as first responder. She is currently a fire explorer for her town and an EMT.  Her main goal is to serve others in the community and to make the impossible possible.

2020: Briana Winters

Briana Winters is graduating from Hillcrest High school in Country Club Hills, Illinois with a 4.9 GPA. During Briana’s time at Hillcrest HS she was in a variety of activities in school and outside of school including Mathletes (captain), Volleyball (captain), Softball (captain), African Student Association, organizing a collection drive for The Bridge Thrift Store, King Day of Service, as well as working as a caretaker. Her plans are to attend Alabama A&M University and major in Criminal Justice. After college she wants to start her career as a police officer.

2020: Isabella McPadden

Bella is graduating from Foran High School in Milford CT and attending Penn State this fall majoring in Elementary Education.  She was a member of the Girl’s Swim team all four years and was a co-captain her senior year. In 2018, Bella received the leadership award and in 2019 the sportsmanship award.  She is involved in many clubs where she held leadership positions for many including class secretary since her sophomore year, Key Club Vice President, Natural Helper Officer, an Editor for The Mane Street Mirror, and a member of Foran Innovative Thinkers. She is also a member of the Foran Band where she holds the section leader position for flutes.  Additionally, Bella has been a member of National Honors Society since her junior year. She is someone teachers, peers, and administration knew they could turn to in a time of need.

2019: Samantha Merritt

Samantha is originally from Torrance, California and moved to Prosper, Texas a little over two years ago. She graduated from Prosper High School in 2019, and is attending Spring Hill College and majoring in Criminology. She was heavily involved in the Law Enforcement program at her high school.  Additionally, during her senior year, she interned at the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and 219th District Court. She enjoys volunteering with local law enforcement, is a Gold Award Girl Scout and will be graduating from the Prosper Citizen’s Police Academy at the end of May 2019. Pursuing a career in law enforcement as a police officer is her passion and life calling from a young age. It is her hope to become a homicide detective and eventually work for the FBI. She has been blessed to have found her passion so young and she can’t wait to share it with others.

2018: Brandy Hayes

Brandy is currently attending TCU in Fort Worth Texas and is enrolled in their College of Education.

2018: Samantha Carbone

Samantha (Sam) grew up in Wallingford, Connecticut and graduated from Lyman Hall High School in the spring of 2018. Throughout her four years in high school, she was involved in varsity softball and was chosen to be captain her junior and senior year. Sam also played varsity basketball and was chosen to be captain in her senior year. She also managed Lyman Hall's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program. As well as being President of Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America, and being a part of the National Honors Society. Sam is currently a freshman at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain CT majoring in Elementary Education with a focus in history.

2016 & 2017: Abby Arisco

Abby, originally from Wallingford, Connecticut, graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education, History. She then attended the University of Oslo in Norway where, in 2017, she graduated with a Masters degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. Abby worked for All Hands and Hearts helping communities impacted by disasters and for Summit Advocates for Victims of Assault aiding victims of abuse. She has now come full circle for our Family Scholarship and is a SAVE Promise Club Manager for Sandy Hook Promise.

2013: Dr. Babu Welch MD and the UT Southwestern Neuro-Surgical Training Lab

Babu G. Welch, M.D., focuses his career on the evaluation and treatment of cerebrovascular disorders – guiding patients through the full range of treatment options available to them. He is experienced in a comprehensive range of neurosurgical therapies, including microsurgical techniques, extracranial to intracranial bypass surgery, skull base surgery, and carotid surgery.