$36,000 in scholarships awarded
BROOKFIELD, Ohio)—The 28th Annual Strimbu Bar-B-Que drew a large crowd of almost 1,600 on Wednesday, May 3 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. First National Bank was the major sponsor of the event.
Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided over $3 million in support of academic scholarships, local economic development and numerous charitable organizations. At this year’s BBQ, it awarded $36,000 in scholarships to local high school students. Ninety-nine percent of the proceeds of the Strimbu BBQ go to these scholarships and grants.
“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Jim Grasso. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”
The BBQ, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, featured an endless buffet reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que. This year’s entertainment featured Southern Detour, a country/rock band that covered everything from Johnny Cash and Luke Bryan, to Led Zeppelin and Buckcherry.
The event also featured both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as a Sea-Doo Spark, a Lake Erie fishing trip, a John Deere Gator, a Cam-Am Commander UTV, a ride on a B-17 Bomber, travel packages and a Steelers home opener package, just to name a few.
This year, the fund awarded thirteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships. The requirements were established to mirror the example that Nick Strimbu Jr. demonstrated during his lifetime. The fund’s philosophy is simple: one of the most substantial ways to enhance our community’s future is to help educate the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Those receiving scholarships and the sponsors that provided the funding are:
2017 Scholarship Winners |
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| Samantha Neral Brookfield High School Scholarship sponsored by Kirila Family Fund |
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| Damian Lowe Farrell High School Scholarship sponsored by the Basilone Family Fund |
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| David Shannon Greenville High School Scholarship sponsored by Chubb & HDH Group |
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| Jenna Reda Hickory High School Scholarship sponsored by Matune/Basile Advisors |
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| Jessica Wylie Hubbard High School Scholarship sponsored by Truck World, Inc. |
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| Joseph Sidoti John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Scholarship sponsored by Ted & Gina Bloom & Incredible Solutions |
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| Alexandria Pykare Joseph Badger High School Scholarship sponsored by Custom Coating & Miller Livestock |
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| Rachel Ritz Kennedy Catholic High School Scholarship sponsored by National Interstate Insurance |
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| Haylee Mathews Lakeview (OH) High School Scholarship sponsored by The Whetstone Family & Toyota of Warren |
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| Kenny Wallace Mathews High School Scholarship sponsored by Governor Insurance |
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| Kiernan Coburn Reynolds High School Scholarship sponsored by Reynolds Services, Inc. |
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| Gryphon Johnson Sharon High School Scholarship sponsored by Flynn’s Tires |
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| Christian Herrmann Sharpsville High School Scholarship sponsored by The Grandy Family in memory of Gary “Gus” Grandy |
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| Alex Palmer West Middlesex High School Scholarship sponsored by Primary Health Charitable Foundation |
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The overall $10,000 scholarship winner was Haylee Mathews from Lakeview (OH) High School.
The $500 Essay Award Winner, funded by the Angelo & Jenny Mastrian Charitable Trust, was Kiernan Coburn of Reynolds High School.
The 29th Annual Strimbu Memorial Fund BBQ is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, 2018.
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