The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (Florida USHWA) has announced the four candidates who will receive awards this year from the final 2025 Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship program.
This scholarship was established in memory of harness racing communicator U.S. Hall of Famer Allen J. Finkelson, the former Vice President of Public Relations at Pompano Park and longtime Chairman of the Board of the national USHWA organization.
“Andrianna Cegielski, Jonathan Clein, Samantha Mills and Sakina Robateau will each receive $1,000 [USD] in scholarship funds from our Florida USHWA Chapter,” said committee chair Thomas H. Hicks. “They are outstanding students.”
Preference for these scholarship awards is given to students majoring in journalism, communications, public relations or equine related studies. Applicants must be a resident of the state of Florida and currently accepted or enrolled in a fully accredited college or university in the United States. Criteria for selection also includes community service, academic achievement and leadership.
Andrianna Cegielski of Palm City is a recent graduate of South Fork High School and will be attending Indian River State College in the fall. She graduated with a weighted GPA score of 4.15 and will be a Chemistry major leading towards attending veterinarian school. The daughter of Jaroslav and Halina Cegielski, Andrianna is already a CVA Certified Veterinary Assistant and has been an Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation volunteer for the last seven years.
Jonathan Clein of Wellington is a recent graduate of Suncoast Community High School and will be attending the University of Florida in the fall. He graduated with a weighted GPA score of 4.27 and will major in Journalism and Communications-Media Production Management and Technology. The son of Kenneth and Deborah Clein was a producer at WRSN, the high school news station, and was president of the Transaction Entrepreneurship Club.
Samantha Mills of Coconut Creek is a junior at the University of Florida majoring in Public Relations. She has earned a 3.59 GPA. The daughter of Scott and Shannon Mills has been on the fall and spring academic honour roll and was named the Outstanding Social Media Account Executive Award winner for Alpha PR. She is also a Student Fellow at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and has been a public relations intern at the Florida House of Representatives. This is her second year winning a Finkelson Scholarship.
Sakina Robateau of Margate is a recent graduate of Pompano Beach High School and will be attending Florida A&M University studying Broadcast Journalism. She graduated with a weighted GPA score of 4.83. The daughter of Shakira Robateau was a Delta Academic Achievement Award winner in 2024 and 2025. She has been a Kiwanis/Key Club member for the past three years and is a member of the National Art Honor Society.
Due to lack of funding, the Florida Chapter of USHWA will no longer be able to award the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship.
The scholarship was first developed by the Florida Chapter in 1995 after the passing of Allen J. Finkelson. The scholarship fund was first seeded by none other than New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner with a $10,000 USD donation.
(USHWA)