Selected to receive the Van Miller Hometown Hero Scholarships are Dunkirk High School 2020 graduates, Malaquia Nieves and Victoria Kujawa. Each will receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 towards their higher education goals.

“We are pleased to award these scholarships in honor of Van Miller and on behalf the Miller family. We are extremely proud of Mr. Nieves and Ms. Kujawa, who are outstanding representatives of Dunkirk High School” said Daniel P. Reininga, President and CEO.

To apply for the scholarship, graduating students of Dunkirk High School submitted a written essay about their personal hero and how this hero influenced their lives. The scholarship committee reviewed the essay, the applicant’s contributions to the community and their future plans.

Malaquia Nieves selected his grandfather as his hero. Malaquia is Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Class of 2020 Historian, a member of the Business and Marketing Honor Society and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America Club. He plans on attending University of Buffalo to pursue a career in Business Administration. Malaquia also works at a local restaurant.

Malaquia Nieves

Victoria Kujawa selected her father as her hero. Victoria is the Class of 2020 Secretary, Cheerleading Captain and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America Club. In the fall, Victoria plans on attending SUNY Brockport to pursue a career in Social Work. Victoria also works at the Boys and Girls Club.

The Van Miller Hometown Hero Scholarship Fund was established at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation in 2008. Proceeds from the annual Van Miller Golf Tournament and from Van and Gloria Miller have allowed over $46,250 to be awarded to Dunkirk High School graduates over the past 11 years.

Lake Shore Savings Bank has served as the presenting sponsor of the Van Miller Hometown Hero Memorial Golf Tournament for over a decade. Next year’s tournament will take place at Shorewood Country Club on June 4, 2021.