Bob MacDougall, the chairman of the co-sponsored SOA of New York/Yonkers Raceway Scholarship Committee, has announced that Johnathan Hallet is the winner of the 2016-2017 Scholarship Award in the amount of $5,000.

There was a tie for second place between Olena Hauser and Alleysha Reynolds, and they will each receive a $2,500 award.

Jonathan Hallet is currently enrolled at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, where he is working on achieving a degree in mechanical engineering. Jonathan’s parents, John and Michelle, race horses on the east coast and he is the grandson of Bruce Aldrich.

Olena Hauser completed her studies at North Rockland High School in Thiells, New York and will be attending the Lubin School of Business at Pace University in New York this fall, where she plans to study International Business. Olena’s stepfather, Timothy Hauser, is longtime horse owner campaigning top trotters including Classic Martine and Frau Blucher.

Alleysha Reynolds is currently enrolled at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, pursuing a degree in equine science. Alleysha is spending her summer as a groom working for the Ray Schnittker stable and hopes to become a veterinarian and help the horses she loves working with.

“We had a very strong diverse group of applicants for this year’s scholarship,” noted MacDougall. “The winners had a strong combination of academic achievement and extracurricular activities. 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.

(SOA of NY)