Bob MacDougall, chairman of the co-sponsored SOA of New York/Yonkers Raceway Scholarship Committee, has announced that Alleysha Reynolds is the winner of the 2014-2015 Scholarship Award in the amount of $5,000 and Sarah Vallee is the winner of the $3,000 award.

Alleysha Reynolds is currently enrolled at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where she is majoring in Equine Science and Management. Alleysha was introduced to the harness racing industry at a young age. She has been working as a groom in New York and Pennsylvania where her special bond, talent and love of horses made her decision to study to become an Equine Veterinarian an easy one. Alleysha is the daughter of Luann Reynolds of Duryea, Pennsylvania.

Sarah Vallee has been accepted to enter the University of Delaware, in Newark, Delaware this fall, where she will study to become a Veterinarian. She has been an exceptional student in high school, on the High Honor Roll and Principles Honor Roll for all four years at Jackson Memorial High School. She has been influenced by her parents, Anita and Shaun Vallee, of Jackson, New Jersey, and is presently an active groom at Yonkers Raceway.

“The scholarship records of both winners, along with their participation in extracurricular activities were excellent,” noted MacDougall. They should serve as examples for all high school and college students to follow. The committee wishes all of the applicants the very best as they continue on with their education”.

The annual SOA/Yonkers Raceway scholarships are awarded to SOA members, or members of their immediate families, or to covered individuals (backstretch personnel) or a member of their immediate families, for study beyond the high school level. The recipient is chosen on the basis of merit and financial need.

The winners and their families will be acknowledged one night at Yonkers Raceway this summer.

(SOA of NY)