Watson-Reese Briarfield Scholarship Recipients Recognized

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Watson-Reese Briarfield Scholarship awarded its 2020 scholarships to six students pursuing studies at Youngstown State University.

Scholars were selected based on academic achievement, community service, financial need, and extracurricular activities as well as their affiliation to Briarfield. Eligible recipients must be employees of Briarfield or a direct lineal descendant of a Briarfield employee.

“All of our recipients show great potential in leading the next generation,” said Diane Reese, president of Briarfield. “We are so grateful to be able to support them and Youngstown State University.”

In total, the scholarship program awarded $8,000 this year.

2020 scholarship recipients include:

Shannon Tarr attended Austintown Fitch High School where she participated in Spirit Club and volunteered at Angels for Animals and Catholic Charities. She will be majoring in exercise science at YSU. Her goal is to be an athletic trainer for the National Football League and National Basketball Association. Shannon is related to Kathryn Tarr, an employee at The Inn at Poland Way.

Kyle Gamble is majoring in mathematics and minoring in actuarial science. He graduated from Canfield High School in 2019. During his time at Canfield, Kyle played varsity basketball and was in the band, National Honor Society and Y-Teens. Kyle has worked at The Inn at Ironwood as a dietary aide since August 2019. His dream job is to be an actuary. 

Mara Hierro is in YSU’s BaccMed program. She is pursuing a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Mara started at The Inn at Christine Valley in April 2017. She worked in the dietary department before moving on to be a resident assistant. Mara graduated from Boardman High School in 2019 where she was part of several programs, including Art Club, Spanish Club, National Art Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, LINK Crew and Big Spartan Little Spartan. Her dream job is to one day be a surgeon.

Sonya Baker is pursuing a degree in education, specifically in the area of English. She plans to teach at the high school level upon graduation. Sonya is a 2019 graduate from Austintown Fitch High School. During that time, she was a member of the French Club, ran cross country and track and volunteered in the activities department at Briarfield at Ashley Circle. Sonya is the granddaughter of Marie Bokry, the longtime receptionist at Briarfield at Ashley Circle.

Karlee Kluchar is pursuing a degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. She previously attended Austintown Fitch High School. She played on the varsity soccer team during all four years and was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Interact Club. She also spent time volunteering at Briarfield Manor. Karlee is the daughter of Jenn Kluchar, the director of nursing at Briarfield Manor.

Dana Hackney is currently a Pre-Nursing major at YSU with the goal of pursuing a career in nursing. She has been a resident assistant at The Inn at Poland Way since October 2018. Dana is a 2018 graduate of Beaver Local High School.

Pictured: Ed and Diane Reese of EDM Management Inc. stand next to a photo of Norma and Frank Watson, along with Ellen and YSU President Jim Tressel.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.