THE BRIAN SCHRAMM SERVICE ABOVE SELF SCHOLARSHIP

Brian Schramm “Service Above Self”
Memorial Scholarship Steak Dinner

Date:
Saturday, July 31, 2010

Time:
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Where:
American Legion Post #468
344 Dorsey Road – Greece, NY
Phone: 663-2091

Donation:
$20.00/ticket

Help raise money for the scholarship as well as for Honor Flight;
this year’s profits will be split between the two

Steak Dinner
(served 2:00-7:00 p.m.)
Raffles & 50/50’s
Music for Listening & Dancing
Pre-Sale Tickets Available at American Legion Post #468

In 2010 instead of determining the winners by school, the selection committee initially removed all of the names and transcripts and chose the top four candidates.

Jennifer Dentino has a passion for serving others. In her application she stated, “A community is only as strong as the people who are part of it. By dedicating myself to attending to the needs of the community, I believe that I can demonstrate a commitment to ‘rebuilding’ the community, one person at a time. When I look back on my life in thirty years, I would consider my life successful if I have proven my desire to share my talent and wealth with countless persons in need…I believe I am ambitious and committed to continuing my efforts to those in need and I can only hope in years from now, that I can make a difference.”

Christopher Iafrati has been involved in a multitude of school and community service. He is considering a career in exercise science, as well as criminal justice. He feels he is worthy of the scholarship because “Like Brian I am not a one-dimensional student/person and like to think I am adventuresome when I try new things. In high school, I found many fun things to be a part of including singing in chorus, being in plays, participating in Children’s Theater and pole vaulting in track. I have found time to participate in volunteer opportunities though my church and work as a lifeguard at my high school.”

Mercedez Koo said, “Heroes. They are the leaders of our lives-the strong, the powerful, the role models that guide us to truth and safety…Brian Schramm was the very personification of hero… Brian’s efforts to defend his country were selfless, immeasurable, and heroic…I am going to make a decision that I have wanted to make for my entire life-to become a hero. I want to become a doctor. I want to heal. I want to cure. I want to touch lives…Just as Brian has made a permanent mark in the hearts of our community, our school, and our country; I hope to make a permanent mark of my own.”

Sarah Gumina has done a great variety of both school and community service. She hopes to “design, modify or improve the safety of products as an engineer.” One of her teachers says she is “thoughtful, [a] lover of learning, [and] competent.” Another teacher says: “To whichever endeavor this young woman dedicates herself, I am confident that she will rise to the top. It is her nature to do so, and not because she is competitive, but because she is joyful. Her joyfulness is what makes her unique, and it is what will continue to bring her success in her life.”

Victor Rivera is a young man who works hard and motivates others to do the same. He’s been involved in track and field, the police explorer program, and working at the Barnard Festival. As one of his teachers said about him, “[He] has offered his services around his neighborhood by mowing lawns, shoveling, painting. or just helping neighbors when completing a project.”

Kristyn Ann Coccitti made a decision when she was in eighth grade to graduate early, taking high school courses in 8th grade, and extra classes during her 9th and 10th grade years. Her extracurricular activities include private math tutoring and working on the Athena High School yearbook. In her future, she wants to make a difference in children’s lives by attending a SUNY college.

Amanda Cunico exemplified the qualities of Brian very well. She has been the math league president for two years, and worked on homecoming weekend. In addition, she has been involved in several mission trips with her church to help people less fortunate than herself. In her application, she wrote, “…I remember Brian, and what a wonderful person he was. He is a role model for all teens because he was honorable and compassionate…” She is also an honorable and compassionate person.

Andrea Rex is extremely involved in school activities, having worked with the Ignition Mentoring Program, the Pine Brook kindergarten class, and at her church’s Christmas plays. She describes herself as “friendly and outgoing”, “approachable and always trying to see the best in people.” She says, “I truly just love life and taking it one day at a time, making the most of the time that I have with the ones that I love.”

On Saturday, September 13th, a steak dinner will be held at Greece Post 468 on 344 Dorsey Road to raise money for the Brian Schramm Service Above Self Scholarship.

For the first three years of the scholarship, one student at Greece Olympia received the award. In 2008, two students, one at Athena and one at Olympia received awards. It is the hope of the scholarship committee and the Schramms to expand the scholarship to all four Greece high schools: Arcadia, Athena, Odyssey and Olympia.

Tickets for the dinner are $20/dinner, with dinner being served from 2-7 p.m. All tickets are pre-sale, and can be purchased at Greece Post 468. Raffles will be held, prizes will be given, and dancing will be offered by DJ Danny Blues.

This year’s recipient is a young man who is very community minded. He has actually supported the Brian Schramm Scholarship and Veterans’ Outreach fundraisers in Brian’s memory. He says, “I am very familiar with the principles Brian stood for (family, love of his country, working hard at Olympia, service to his town/school/country, his love of soccer, and his love of life. When I found out Brian gave up his life to keep me free, I decided to do my best in school, not get into trouble, and choose a career that would help better others. This is why I am going into teaching in the young ages…I want them to be proud of their heritage, their school, their work and their country while living life to its fullest.”

It is with great pride that we award the Brian Schramm Scholarship, worth $1500, to James J. Wehrle.

On October 15, 2004, a 2001 Olympia graduate, Brian Schramm, was killed in Iraq. The Brian Schramm Scholarship was born on that day. The scholarship for the past three years has been given to an Olympia senior who exemplifies the qualities of Brian. This year, due to the generous supporters of the scholarship, two scholarships are being given, one to an Athena senior with a:

Congratulations to Jordan Walker, the 2007 recipient of the Brian Schramm Scholarship. Jordan is incredibly school and community spirited. His school activities are numerous, including a variety of sports, as well as school leadership responsibilities, such as safe school ambassador, President of Model UN, peer educator, and even a representative from Olympia to the Greece Education Foundation, the School Board, and the Fiscal Responsibility Advisory Council.

He is an Eagle Scout, a volunteer for Camp Good Days and Special Times, a serious viola instrumentalist, and an active member of his church youth ministry. His pastor said of him, “His determination to serve others and increase the quality of their lives has become contagious at our church.”

Brandon Baxter is the 2006 Recipient of the Brian Schramm Scholarship

Brandon Baxter was chosen from a large field of applicants as the 2006 recipient of the Brian Schramm Scholarship. He exemplifies the qualities of the award: community and school service, a good sense of humor, and a plan to major in criminal justice. Brandon received $1500.

Brandon has been involved in school service since he was in elementary school. In high school, he was a member of the Student Leadership Team from 2004-2006, a Buckman Heights volunteer, and an attendee of the Beaver Hollow Student Leadership Retreat for two years. In the community, Brandon spent two summers at the Flower City Work Camp, a summer on an inner city mission trip to Philadelphia, and was a volunteer at Grandeville Senior Living community. As Brandon says, “Brian Schramm gave his life selflessly for this country, and I will give my very best efforts to serve my community selflessly in a career in criminal justice.” Congratulations to Brandon for this great honor.

Memorial Day Celebration at Olympia Honors Schramm

On Thursday, May 25th, a ceremony was held in front of the new library at Greece Olympia High School to honor Greece Olympia’s veterans and to dedicate Brian Schramm’s plaque for the Commons Area showcase, along with a tree donated by the Schramm family.

Lieutenant James VanBrederode from the Keyston Pipes and Drums with the Gates Police Department played the bagpipes as the guests gathered. Chris Sloane greeted the guests, including Gary Beikirch, the Honor Guard from the American Legion, Olympia’s veterans, the Schramm family, and other invited guests. Geroge Giordano read the words on the plaque: “No greater sacrifice! We at Olympia High School are extremely proud to say you were one of us. Our gratitude is extended to you and your family for what you have given to our country. Please accept our thanks and our promise that your memory will forever live in these halls.” He also read the list of those killed in Vietnam.

Gary Beikirch, a Vietnam recipient of the prestigious Medal of Honor, gave the keynote speech, moving words on honor. The dedication of Brian’s plaque given by Donna Murano, was followed by three volleys from the Monroe County American Legion Honor Guard to honor Olympia’s deceased veterans with a “Final Salute”. Three Olympia students played Taps. A silent procession led by the bag piper paused to place Brian’s plaque in the showcase with the other veterans. A reception was held at Olympia’s Media Center.

Morinelli Selected as First Recipient of Schramm Scholarship

Joseph Morinelli is the first winner of the Brian Schramm Scholarship. At Greece Olympia's Senior Awards Ceremony on June 8th, Joseph received a check for $1500 to be applied toward his tuition. Morinelli plans to major in music education; he is in a two plus two program, beginning at Monroe Community College, and then transferring to a four-year school. Joseph has been actively involved at St. John's the Evangelist parish in Greece, transporting clothing, washing dishes, serving food, and working as an aide with confirmation retreat preparation classes. He stated in his application: "…I understand that Brian Schramm was a compelling and brave human being. When we played 'Suo Gan', the Welsh folk song dedicated to Brian, I felt so moved…It was also a distinguished honor to be one of the band officers to present the plaque to the Schramm family. I cannot even begin to describe how heart-warming and noteworthy this made me feel."

Spencer Recognized for Her Good Deed

Christine Spencer, a senior at Greece Olympia High school, took the initiative to collect money at her job for the Brian Schramm Self Scholarship. Christine's brother, Nicholas, had been a friend of Brian's. She said, "I just had to do something. I thought that collecting money for the scholarship would be a good idea." She put a box on the counter at Party City when she was working. On April 1st, she brought the box and its contents to school; Christine had raised over $475. Spencer plans to attend SUNY Morrisville for Equine Science in the fall. Christine was recognized by the Greece Board of Education for her "good deed".

McDonalds Becomes a Benefactor for the Scholarship

On April 11th, the West Ridge Road McDonald's donated a portion of its profits to the Brian Schramm Scholarship. Over $300 was raised from 5-8:00 p.m., as Olympia staff, friends, relatives, and supporters filed into McDonalds for dinner. The fundraiser was the brainchild of Hal Johnson, a McDonald's employee and friend of Brian's, who used to work with Brian at this location.

Halpainy Steps Forward

Marc Halpainy, a senior at Greece Olympia High School, needed to do something positive after the loss of his friend and neighbor, Brian Schramm. He decided to help raise money for the scholarship, and came up with the idea of creating stickers to sell. Taking the initiative to contact the right person, he helped work on the design, ordered the stickers, and began selling them at school, as well as at a variety of other events. Halpainy raised several hundred dollars, often receiving a donation of $5-10 per sticker. He, too, was recognized by the Greece Board of Education for his "good deed". Marc is definitely a civic-minded individual. He became very actively involved with the scholarship committee, assisting in the counting of money, recording of individual donations, and thanking the donors.

Greece Olympia's Band Honors a Hero

A Welsh folk song entitled "Suo-gan" by James Curnow was played by Olympia's band at a December concert. The song depicts a mother's love for her child. The band officers collected money from students in both bands and designed the plaque themselves. The night of the concert, the plaque was presented to the Schramms, with the inscription, " heroes are never forgotten." Brian had been a member of Olympia's band, as well as his older sister, Jennifer.