Sister Jerome’s Mission Names 4 Scholarship Recipients

CANFIELD, Ohio – Sister Jerome’s Mission, a program of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, presented four students taking part in Sister Jerome’s Mission College program with scholarships during a luncheon Sunday at The Ursuline Center. The scholarships honor local businessman Clarence R. Smith Jr. and his wife, Rose Marie.

Scholarship recipients are Kevin D. Talley of Hermitage, Pa., Lauren L. Wimer of Warren, Sara A. Egry of Girard and RaKaiya L. Peterman of Niles. All four students are majoring in social work and attend Youngstown State University.

Talley will graduate from YSU in December. He served two years in the U.S. Navy as master of arms in the military police and is a graduate of Farrell High School in Farrell, Pa. His dream is to work with disadvantaged youth and young adults.

Wimer will graduate from YSU in December 2018. She is a graduate of Howland High School and plans to work with children and families. Wimer and Talley were both awarded $1,000 scholarships.

Egry is on track to graduate from YSU in 2019 and is a graduate of Niles McKinley High School. She was awarded a $750 scholarship.

Peterman will graduate from YSU in December. She is a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. Her dream is to work with children and teens with mental disabilities. She was awarded a $250 scholarship.

The Clarence R. and Rose Marie Smith Scholarship, introduced last October, is awarded annually to one or more students active in Sister Jerome’s Mission College program who earn good grades and demonstrate a strong commitment to furthering their educations, earning their degrees and improving our community.

Sister Jerome’s Mission College program breaks the cycle of generational poverty by helping students from low-income families to succeed in college. In addition to pairing students with knowledgeable mentors who guide them through the higher education experience, the program provides financial assistance for essentials such as food, clothing and transportation. This makes it possible for students to get to class, focus on their studies, earn good grades and graduate well-prepared for jobs that enable them to support themselves and their families.

Clarence Smith is a long-time friend and supporter of Sister Jerome and her ministries and serves on the advisory committee of Sister Jerome’s Mission.

A successful businessman, Smith led Diamond Steel Construction Co., a company founded by his father more than 85 years ago, established Compco Industries, Compco Land Co. and has been instrumental in the start-ups of several other area businesses. Smith’s success enables him to support many philanthropic organizations and causes. Providing a solid education to the region’s young people has been and remains at the heart of many of those activities, including Sister Jerome’s Mission College program.

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