Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich, the Greece Town Board, and the Greece Youth Board yesterday recognized the recipient of the Jerry J. Helfer Youth Engagement Scholarship. This year’s winner is Evan Anderson from Greece Athena High School. Evan received a recognition proclamation and a $2,000 scholarship check during the meeting of the Greece Town Board on Tuesday, July 18th.
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 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. “Every year we had several applicants from all throughout the Greece community. Through careful consideration by the Greece Youth Board and the Helfer Family, this year’s winner provided an excellent example of leadership, public service, and volunteerism. I was proud to take part in Tuesday evening’s ceremony and congratulate Evan, who is an outstanding member of our community and who is helping to continue on the legacy of Jerry Helfer”.
Evan is a student at Greece Athena High School. He has been heavily involved in school activities, including being a freshman student mentor to help incoming freshman transition into high school, a member of the National Honor Society, the yearbook editor in chief, the Production Assistant for Athena Middle Musicals where he oversaw volunteers for the backstage crew, and a performer in school musicals. In addition to school activities, Evan is also a great volunteer in the community as a student tutor, a religious education teacher, and a member of the Polish Festival planning crew. After graduating high school, Evan plans to attend the University of Kansas to study both broadcast journalism and political science. He would eventually like to run for public office.
Congratulations to Evan Anderson on being chosen as the top recipient of the Jerry J. Helfer Youth Engagement Scholarship! The Town of Greece is very proud of you and stands behind you as you continue to set examples of volunteerism and leadership in our community.