Yesterday, Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich, the Greece Youth Board and Greece Town Board announced the recipients of the Jerry J. Helfer Youth Engagement Scholarship. This year’s winners are Madalyn Bowen from Greece Olympia and runner-up Evan O’Hara from Greece Athena.
The Jerry J. Helfer Youth Engagement Scholarship provides the Greece community with the opportunity to recognize a student that regularly upholds exemplary moral values, devotes time and energy into helping serve the Greece community, and consistently displays outstanding leadership skills. This scholarship has been established by the Town of Greece to highlight Jerry’s exceptional character, virtue and his lifelong love of learning and public service. With over 25 years of public service, Jerry served on the Greece Youth Board, was elected as Town Councilman for 10 years and served as Deputy Supervisor until his untimely passing in July of 2014.
“Jerry was an upstanding citizen, co-worker and friend and the love he had for his community and public service are the foundations of this scholarship” said Supervisor Reilich. “This year we had a total of 30 applicants from all throughout the Greece community. Through careful consideration by the Greece Youth Board and the Helfer Family, this year’s winners both provided excellent examples of leadership, public service and volunteerism. I was proud to part take in last nights’ ceremony and congratulate both Madalyn and Evan for their great leadership and volunteerism and to help continue on the legacy of Jerry Helfer.”
This year’s winner, Madalyn Bowen, is a senior at Greece Olympia High School. Throughout her high school career, Madalyn has been active in numerous clubs and groups and has taken an active role in her high school’s student council. She served as class president during her senior year and was treasure of the National Honor Society. Throughout the year, Madalyn helped to organize homecoming week, a spring fling fundraiser and spirit week. Additionally Madalyn teamed up with the rest of the student council and dedicated a week in May to mental health awareness in conjunction with the National Alliance on Mental Health. After graduation, Madalyn will be attending SUNY Geneseo in the fall.
This year’s runner-up, Evan O’Hara, is a senior at Greece Athena High School. Evan graduated with valedictorian honors from Greece Athena. He is the Mechanical Team Leader of his school’s Robotics Club, is member of the National Honor Society and is the 1st chair bassoonist in the Greece Athena symphonic band. Outside of school, Evan is active in his local Boy Scout Troop and has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He also donates his time to Foodlink and is a Red Cross Blood Drive Organizer. After graduation Evan hopes to attend SUNY Polytechnic and study Mechanical Engineering.