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Establishing a Fund: Frequently Asked Questions & Current WASDEF Funds

The "Scholarships, Awards & Prizes" program allows donors and organizations the opportunity to continue their legacy while granting eligible graduating WAHS students the chance to advance their education. The Education Foundation administers funds that, on average, provide about 100 students with a scholarship, award or prize each year. Each fund has specific award criteria established by the gifting donor. The high school's guidance office conducts the selection and application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

For new donors, there are several options to consider when establishing a fund through the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF). Understanding the differences between an award or prize, a scholarship, and an endowed fund can help you determine which option best aligns with your giving goals.

What is the difference between an award or prize, a scholarship, and an endowed fund?

Award or Prize: Awards or prizes are typically $500 or less and are intended to provide short-term support to a student. These funds are considered spend-down accounts, meaning the balance will decrease as distributions are made unless additional contributions are received to replenish the fund. Award distributions are paid directly to the student recipient.

Scholarship: Scholarships are typically $500 or more and are intended to provide short-term financial support for a student's education. Like awards and prizes, these funds are considered spend-down accounts unless additional contributions are made to replenish the balance. Scholarship distributions are paid directly to the educational institution the student recipient will attend.

Endowed Fund: Endowed funds are designed to provide long-term, sustainable support while preserving the fund's principal over time. In accordance with WASDEF's endowed fund policy, a minimum balance of $10,000 is required to establish an endowed fund.

Unlike non-endowed funds, distributions from endowed funds are calculated based on the fund's investment earnings and follow the Foundation's spending policy. This approach allows the fund to support students and educational opportunities over time without requiring the donor to make ongoing contributions. If your goal is to establish a fund that can continue supporting students for years to come, an endowed fund may be the right option for you.

Who should I contact to establish a fund?

Annual Awards: The Foundation administers annual awards, scholarships, and endowed funds that provide ongoing support to students and educational programs. For donors interested in establishing a fund or making a long-term contribution, the WASDEF office is your point of contact.

One-Time Awards: For one-time awards or prizes presented at graduation, please contact the Williamsport Area High School main office at (570) 323-8411, ext. 60500.

Have additional questions?

If you would like to learn more about the differences between fund types or discuss establishing a new fund through WASDEF, please contact the Foundation office.

Taylor Chrisenberry, Executive Director Phone: 570-327-5500, ext. 40602 Email: tchrisen@wasd.org

Current WASDEF Funds

Award & Prize Funds
  • Class of 1897, Archibald Hoagland Award
  • Class of 1897, Martha C. Thatcher Prize
  • Class of 1911, Sherman V. English Award
  • Class of 1916, Chemistry & Research Achievement Award
  • Class of 1928 Prize
  • Class of 1939, Clara Casner Carpenter Award
  • Class of 1941, Strolling Strings Award
  • Class of 1952, Arthur Paulhamus Award
  • Class of 1957 Prize
  • Class of 1963, George E. Deffenbaugh Award
  • Class of 1964 Prize
  • Class of 1972, Deceased Class Members Memorial Award
  • Class of 1987 Prize
  • Class of 1989 Prize
  • Class of 1990 Prize
  • Class of 1994 Prize
  • Class of 1995, Joe Muir Memorial Award
  • Class of 1996 Prize
  • Class of 1997 Prize
  • Class of 1998 Prize     
  • Class of 1999, Steven R. Wiser Award
  • Classes of 2000 & 2006, Thomas H. Bauman Award
  • Class of 2009 Prize     
  • Class of 2012 Prize   
  • Class of 2021 Executive Board Award
  • Class of 2022 Award   
  • Class of 2025 Award
  • Dr. June Baskin Award
  • Florence Laubscher Baver Memorial Prize
  • J. Ronald Beck Award
  • Sam Belle Award
  • Richard A. Berry Jr. Band Award
  • Bethune Douglass Award
  • Barry Campbell Award
  • Career & Technical Education Teachers’ Award
  • Pasqualino Ciccarelli Memorial Award
  • Joan Collins Art Award
  • Larue Cooke Memorial Award
  • Curtin Intermediate School, William K. Miller Scholarship Award
  • Curtin Intermediate School,  Robert D. Smink Scholarship Award
  • Sharon D. Deckard Scholarship Award
  • Shirley L. Dieffenbach Scholarship Award
  • Carrie Oliver Dove Award
  • The Michael G. Durrwachter Memorial Award
  • Lynn B. Ertel Award
  • Beula Faber Manley Prize    
  • Carl V. Gaus Prize
  • Regina Girio Award
  • George E. Graff & Flora S. Graff Journalism Awards
  • Esther H. Guy Award
  • Christopher Hecknauer Memorial Award
  • Ida R. Heller Award
  • Eric John Hostrander Memorial Award
  • Floretta J. Hunter Award
  • George and Rose Kaplan Memorial Award
  • Davey Keiser Memorial Award
  • Emma Kiess Award
  • Anne Knecht Starner Award
  • Elmer Koons Prize      
  • Kathryn B. Latini Literary Scholarship
  • Coach Dave Love Football Award
  • Eleanor Love Award
  • Patricia A. Lowery, Ph.D., Scholarship
  • Debra S. Lundy Memorial Scholarship
  • Lycoming Valley Intermediate School PTSO Award
  • Chuck McConnell Memorial Award
  • Marie A. Miele Scholarship
  • Mary S. and Clair A. Miller Business Award
  • Percy D. Mitchell Memorial Award
  • Richard L. and Miriam Swan Mix Award
  • William H. O’Neil Memorial Award
  • Terry D. Ohnmeiss 1964 Memorial Award    
  • Jason P. Rogers Memorial Award
  • The Ross Family Award for True Humanity
  • Salabes Brotherhood Award
  • James A. Slattery Memorial Award   
  • Deborah L. Smith Young Memorial Award    
  • May Heilman Spangle Award
  • Mark L. Steele Memorial Award
  • Thaddeus Stevens Primary School Award     
  • Margaret B. Stouffer Award
  • Myrtle Stroup Award
  • Richard Allen Swartz Award
  • Jackie Thomas Award
  • VFW Post 844 Award 
  • Robert C. Van Allen Career & Technology Award
  • Francis T. Vottero Award
  • Kent C. Weaver Award
  • Williamsport Area High School Alumni Prize
  • Williamsport Area High School P.T.S.O. Academic Achievement Award
  • Williamsport Area High School P.T.S.O. CTE Award
  • Williamsport Area High School P.T.S.O. Lillian M. Reider Award
  • Williamsport Area High School P.T.S.O. Mary B. Smith English Award
  • Williamsport Area High School P.T.S.O. David W. Stuempfle Award
  • Williamsport Area High School P.T.S.O. Paul R. Warnick Award
  • Rachel Hayes Youngman & Elizabeth Ludwig Youngman English Prize
  • Ami (Desmond) '94 and David Heller '94 Prize Fund
Scholarship Funds
  • Valeria M. Aponick Scholarship
  • Victor and Myra Arena Charitable Foundation Fund
  • Kylee Elizabeth Case Memorial Scholarship
  • Bessie Herman Conser, Class of 1930 Award
  • Ann Conser Curley, Class of 1959 Award
  • The Game-Changer Scholarship Fund    
  • Margaret Hamilton Quinn Scholarship
  • Scott Harmon Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Abram Howard Memorial Scholarship
  • Mildred E. Kelly Scholarship
  • Sandy R. Lawson Scholarship
  • John and Lenna Braddock Person Fund
  • Shirley G. Reese Memorial Scholarship
  • Louise H. Stryker Award
  • Anthony “Tag” Tagliaferri Scholarship

 

Endowed Scholarship Funds
  • The Class of 1962 Scholarship Fund
  • The Fausnaught Family Scholarship Fund
  • John A. Foulkrod Scholarship Fund
  • Doris Teufel Heller Scholarship Fund
  • Sullivan Family First-Generation Collegian Scholarship
  • Thomas Kelchner Memorial Scholarship for the Arts
  • Tim Montgomery Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Turner Foundation Scholarship Fund
  • William and Rose Weber Scholarship Fund
  • Martina B. Mangiardi Geiger Nursing or Applied Science Endowed Scholarship Fund*
  • Richard S. Coulter Endowed Scholarship Fund*
  • Football & Girls' Soccer Endowed Scholarship Fund*

*Endowment established FY27

2025-2026 By the Numbers

  • Student Impact

    1,300+

  • Distributed in Scholarships & Awards

    $142,761

  • Distributed in Grants & Classroom Support

    $87,766

  • Total Assets

    $3,097,568

© 2026 Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation
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