Holly Crandall was recently awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the Association of Fire District State of New York. From left are Dean Crandall; Jerri Crandall; Crandall; Frank Wicka, director of AFDSNY Region 6; Stephen Rexford, Ellington fire chief. In back is Robert Rhinehart, chairman of the Ellington Fire District.

ELLINGTON — Frank Wicka, Region 6 director of the Association of Fire District State of New York, attended the monthly meeting of the Ellington Fire District No. 1 to present a $1,500 college scholarship to Holly Crandall.

Crandall, a 2019 graduate of Cassadaga Valley Central School, was one of three seniors chosen from across the state this year for this honor. Crandall has been a member of the Ellington Junior Fire Fighters for five years and applied late last year to the AFDSNY for an opportunity to win this scholarship.

The application is reviewed by 12 people from AFDSNY to determine who the best candidates are to receive the scholarship in memory of Edward “Ned” Carter, past president, and all other deceased presidents of the association.

The AFDSNY represents 800 fire districts across New York.

Crandall is ranked third in her senior class and has participated in softball, volleyball and basketball. She is also active in 4-H. Crandall will be attending Ohio State University in the fall majoring in animal science. Crandall and her parents, Dean and Jerri Crandall, reside in Sinclairville, and have been active in the Ellington Fire Department for over 20 years.

The presentation was attended by her family, the junior firefighters and advisors, fire district commissioners, and two Ellington fire chiefs and was followed by cake.