Ford City Grad Awarded AICDAC Scholarship

by Jonathan Weaver

A Ford City High graduate was the last of her school to receive a scholarship named for an Indiana County Commissioner in June.

During a dinner at Lenape Heights Golf Course, the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission (AICDAC) awarded Ford City Junior-Senior High graduate Kaitlyn Satterfield one of the three $1,000 2015 Bernie Smith Memorial Scholarships.

Satterfield was the Armstrong County winner. Christopher Rura, of Homer Center High School in Indiana County and Julie Kennesson of Clarion Area High School in Clarion County also received scholarships before they pursue further educational endeavors.

Satterfield, of Manor Township, will attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg this fall to study Occupational Therapy. Her degree requires six years, and will require her to transfer to the main University of Pittsburgh campus.

“I’m really glad I got (the scholarship) – it’s a big help,” Satterfield said.

Even though she was a National Honor Society member, majorette and part of the Senior Class Cabinet, Satterfield qualified most for the scholarship based on her volunteerism as an actress and tour guide during the Armstrong County Jail “Drugs Kill Dreams – Jail Experience.” Satterfield regularly acts as a student getting apprehended by Pennsylvania State Police troopers for drug addiction.

“I actually went through the tour when I was 10, and obviously my parents told me that drugs are bad and to stay away, but it really didn’t sink in until I went on the tour – that’s when it all first hit me,” Satterfield said. “The tour had such an impact on my life as a kid (that) I wanted to give them that same experience so they can see the harms of drugs.”

Satterfield’s brother, Jacob, also volunteers during “Drugs Kill Dreams – Jail Experience.” Mother, Carrie, works at the Rayburn Township jail.

Satterfield heard about the scholarship through her guidance counselor Emily Giconi. She also was awarded a $5,000 Merit Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg that she will receive annually and a $2,500 Armstrong Education Trust scholarship.

The awards were presented by Indiana County Commissioner Patricia Evanko, Armstrong County Commissioner Rich Fink, and Clarion County Commissioner Wayne Brosius and members of the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission Board along with Marie Dillon-Griffith, Board President.

Commissioner Fink was part of the scholarship committee and said the scholarship was “very competitive” with countless applications. He explained that the three representatives scored student applicants individually and then met and discussed.

The Bernie Smith Memorial Scholarship is presented yearly to one student from Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion Counties. The honorees are chosen from the graduating class. Eligible students are those most exemplifying the mission of the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission by way of their involvement, leadership and accomplishments through their high school career.

Fink knew Smith personally while he was a peer counselor at the United Mine Workers Association career center.

“He was a person who cared about people – whether they were addicted to drugs, were abused children, he was involved,” Fink recalled. “It was very appropriate that that scholarship fund was named after him, and I hope that it goes on forever.”

Bernie Smith served as an Indiana County Commissioner from 1995 to 2006 before dying in office, and was a member of the Armstrong-Indiana Drug and Alcohol Commission Board.

 

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