Tioga Downs, the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Harness Horse Breeders of NYS sponsored a scholarship race for five local high school seniors on Sunday (June 11).
Ashley Tiffany of Tioga Central, driving the horse Springhouse Mojo with trainer Mike Sinclair, won the race. Tiffany, who is going to Arnot Ogden School of Nursing, admitted she was real nervous. "It was a thrill of a lifetime," said the nursing major.
Alicia Cygan (Vestal High School), who is going to Nazareth College to study occupation, finished second with Revenant and trainer Mickey McNichol. Anna Raymond (Newark Valley High School) finished third driving Hot Patootie with trainer Joe Skowyra. Raymond will attend Morrisville State in the fall to study Equine Science and Management. Fourth went to Jacob Pylypciw, representing Union Endicott, with the horse Thumpem N and trainer Jeff Byron. Pylypciw is going to Stony Brook University to study Clinical Laboratory Science. Ethan Pryor (Owego Free Academy) finished fifth guiding College Major with trainer Jason MacDougall. Pryor will attend Seton Hall to study communication.
All five students received a scholarship for $1,700.
(With files from Tioga Downs)