Community News

Wantagh Fire Department awards scholarships

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The 2015 William A. Haps Scholarship Awards were presented in a ceremony held last month at Wantagh Fire Department headquarters. The awards, presented for the 26th time, are in memory of the deceased firefighter who died July 20, 1989. He had served the community for 42 years.

Three students were honored this year by receiving scholarship checks to assist in their education. The recipients will receive the awards prior to entering the college of their choice. Each applicant had to submit four recommendations — one from a guidance counselor, two from teachers, and a personal recommendation from someone outside of their family. In addition, the recipient must be pursuing a program in the humanities such as emergency services, nursing, criminal justice, social work, teaching, medicine, research or a similar service to mankind. Financial need, extracurricular activities, academic achievement and a personal interview were also included in the application.

Scholarship chairman Don Snyder spoke of the students’ achievements as family, friends and firefighters looked on. Making the presentations on behalf of the late William and Dora Haps were grandson and Ex-Captain Bill Bischoff and granddaughter Diane Geddes.

The first award winner was Kaycie Haller, of MacArthur High School. She plans on attending SUNY Cortland in September where she will be majoring in secondary education.

Haller was very active in sports while attending MacArthur, playing on the soccer and softball teams. Her playing of second base while on the varsity team helped the Generals into the championships.

Additionally, she found time to volunteer with the St. Francis de Chantal vacation Bible school and the Bellmore Veterinary Hospital. She was a member of the Wantagh Fire Department Explorer Program and was active in the Fire Department holiday gift drive. She was joined by her mother Carol, father Kevin, and sister Shannon, as she received her award.

The second winner was Emily Calderon of MacArthur High School. She plans to attend Molloy College where she will major in biology.

She also plans to devote as much time as possible to the Wantagh Fire Department, which she hopes to join this month. She has been an active participant in the Explorer Program for the past four years and hopes to continue volunteering in her home community.

In addition, Emily has also volunteered her services to the American Red Cross Blood Drive, and while at MacArthur participated in the Autism Awareness Committees for two years. Accompanying Emily where her mother Kattia, father Wilson, and brother Matteo.

The third winner was Amanda Rommel of MacArthur High School. She plans to attend New Mexico University where she will major in exercise science. She was accompanied by her mother Stephanie and father Glenn in the acceptance of her award.