The Borzell family has presented Wilkes University with a check for $10,000 and awarded an additional $5,100 in scholarships to three Wyoming Area High School graduates.
The gifts are proceeds from the John Anthony “Beno” Borzell Golf Tournament. The event raises money for scholarships and facilities that benefit students at Wilkes University and Wyoming Area High School. The annual event is held in memory of John Anthony “Beno” Borzell, who graduated in 2007 from Wyoming Area and in 2011 with a degree in environmental science from Wilkes. 2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of Beno’s passing.
Though last year’s golf tournament was canceled due to the pandemic, donor support continued. Jack Borzell expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the scholarships, noting, “Through all of the changes over the past year, the one thing that hasn’t changed has been the hearts of our donors.”
The $10,000 contribution to Wilkes supports an endowed scholarship in John Anthony “Beno” Borzell’s memory. It will be presented to students studying earth and environmental science at the University. An environmental chemistry lab in the Cohen Science Center is named in memory of John Anthony “Beno” Borzell. In 2019, a classroom on the second floor of Stark Learning Center used by students from the College of Science and Engineering was also dedicated in Beno’s honor.
Additional scholarships of $1,700 each also were presented to three Wyoming Area High School graduates who are athletes planning to pursue studies in the sciences. The scholarship amount – $1,700 – commemorates the number 17 worn by Beno as a football and baseball player. This year’s recipients are Sydney Krushka, Maria Amato and Aubriana Marranca.
Contributions to Wilkes since the tournament’s inception exceed $100,000. Forty-three scholarships of $1,700 each – totaling $73,100 – have been presented to Wyoming Area High School seniors since 2012.
The 2021 golf tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountaintop, Pa. For details, please email borzellj1717@comcast.net.
