These Portage Foundation funds assist area students in their pursuit of further education and career development.
Roger J. DiPaolo loved poetry and it is his family’s wish to encourage others in the writing and appreciation of poetry. The scholarship is awarded annually to a Kent State University student in any year of study who has an interest in writing poetry.
The Roger J. Di Paolo Bright Future Scholarship is an annual scholarship of $1,000 awarded to a Ravenna High School senior who lives in the Skeels or McElrath neighborhoods of Ravenna or is actively involved in the Skeels-Matthews or King-Kennedy Community Centers. The scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing any area of study at a college, trade or technical school.
This scholarship was donated in memory of Mark Edward Klima by his parents. In 1985 Mark Klima was 15 years old and living on his family’s horse farm, Shakespeare Acres. Mark had just completed his freshman year at Rootstown High School where he earned straight A’s. He aspired to become a doctor. Tragically, Mark was murdered during a home invasion and burglary.
The Bailey Simons / Frank Family Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Rootstown High School seniors annually.
The League of Women Voters of Kent established a scholarship in memory of Helen Dix. When Helen died in the Fall of 2013, she was the last surviving charter member. Helen was instrumental in furthering the League of Women Voter’s (LWV) mission in Portage County from LWV Kent’s initial organization meeting in 1953 throughout the rest of her life.
The Douglass Cowell Scholarship, established in memory of the lifelong resident, supports Ravenna High School seniors.