The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) announces the establishment of the Dunkirk High School Class of 1989 Memorial Scholarship Fund. Members of the Class of 1989 originally established this scholarship in 2014 as a way to honor deceased classmates.

The annual Marauder Trotter 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the DHS Class of 1989, is the primary fundraiser for the scholarship fund. In its second year, the event raised over $7,000, an increase over the 2015 run/walk. A team of volunteers, local sponsors, classmates, families of the deceased classmates, and participants have contributed to the growth of this fund, enabling it to award the first scholarship in June 2017.

The DHS Class of 1989 reunion committee members of Scott Mekus, Jennifer Ellman, Terri Vasquez, Molly Pagan, Matthew Woelfle and DJ Wilson have worked hard to establish this scholarship. Instructor and classmate Lisa Maslak also donated over $700 to the fund from her 80s Zumba Party fundraiser in 2014. The total amount raised to establish this scholarship was $14,000.

“Every year, our deceased classmates from the Class of 1989 will be remembered through this scholarship,” said Mekus. “Our entire class, as well as a graduating DHS senior every year, will be positively honored with this increasing scholarship.”

The group’s deceased classmates that will always be in their hearts include Paula Kuschel, Jennifer Styborski, Jody Wdowiasz, Mike Koch, Robert Pierce, James Kulpa, Susan Butts, Elizabeth Barnes, Tony Quiles, Susan Stoyle, Scott Roesler, Todd Iskra, Paul Szach, Joe Pieszak, John Gizowski and Tammy Crawford.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating Dunkirk High School senior attending college or a technical school as a full-time student with preference given to children and close relatives of DHS Class of 1989 graduates, but this is not a requirement.

Although established by the DHS Class of 1989, everyone is invited to support the scholarship. There are several ways to make a contribution.

The easiest way is to visit www.nccfoundation.org/classof89. Checks are also acceptable through NCCF at 212 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk, N.Y. 14048. Make checks payable to NCCF/DHS Class of 1989.

For more information, contact NCCF at 366-4892 or nccf@nccfoundation.org.

The NCCF, celebrating 30 years of charitable leadership, is committed to improving the community through the promotion of local philanthropy, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership.

Served by a small staff and governed by an all-volunteer board of directors, the organization has distributed over $12.2 million in the form of grants and scholarships within the community. The NCCF is an organization created by and for the people of northern Chautauqua County.

For more information, visit www.nccfoundation.org.