Rachel Spall, a graduating student of Pine Bush High School was awarded a $1,000 scholarship on May 29th from the Ian Bennett/Situation Cares Memorial Scholarship Fund, a charitable fund administered through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan. 

Rachel’s lifelong passion of art has led her to pursue a degree in Graphic Design from the University of New Haven in West Haven, CT where she will be starting her freshman year in the Fall of 2014. “I am very thankful to have received this scholarship and am looking forward to this exciting new phase in my academic life.” says Rachel Spall

The Ian Bennett/Situation Cares Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by the co-workers, friends and family of Ian Bennett who tragically lost his life in a pedestrian accidenton April 15, 2007 at the age of 26.  According to Situation Cares in New York City Ian Bennett’s employer, and the organization that led the charge to create this memorial fund, “Ian was a rockstar, revolutionary in everything he did.  He was a musician, an artist and an overall incredible creative genius.  He made music with passion and created websites and experiences online that have set the benchmark of excellence for those that will follow. But, most importantly, he was simply an amazing person that you always wanted to have around and is sorely missed.  Through this fund, each year a high school student who shares Ian’s ability to take artistic risk is awarded a scholarship to help support their passion through higher education.”

This scholarship is awarded to just one graduating high school student annually from among all graduating seniors attending public, private, or parochial schools in Orange County.  The student must demonstrate a passion for the arts, in the form of design, music and/or performing arts.

Recipients of the Ian Bennett Situation Cares Memorial Scholarship Fund were selected based on the submission of three examples of their artwork and a three page essay explaining how they have demonstrated a desire for success in both their personal and academic lives. 

To make a gift to this fund, please make check payable to CFOS-Ian Bennett/Situation Cares Memorial Scholarship and mail to the Community Foundation at 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202, Montgomery, NY 12549. Secure on-line donations may be made to all of these funds and many other funds at cfoc-ny.org.  For more information, please contact the Community Foundation at (845) 769-9393.

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