Through the generosity of Ray Schnittker and Jeff Gural, the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association was able to initiate a scholarship fund that would be able to
identify and reward eligible high school seniors or returning college students who are involved in racing themselves or come from families of licensed owners, trainers, or drivers who participate in harness racing.
Named for Schnittker’s world class trotter Deweycheatumnhowe, the “Dewey Degree” is an annual fellowship given to an eligible student who meets the criteria and is chosen by our Chapter Officers and an impartial third party judge. It is a $1,500 non-renewable assistance award.
2009 is the initial year the award will be given and the members of the Upstate New York Chapter are confident that the recipient who was chosen exemplifies an individual who is actively pursuing a career in harness racing and who also represents the next generation of “young blood” that will help the sport stay viable in the future.
The 2009 Dewey Degree Scholarship recipient is Brittany Schwartz.
Brittany is currently attending Delaware Valley College and will be entering her senior year this fall. She is in the Equine Science Program and has maintained a 3.7 GPA and has found herself on the Dean’s List for her first three years at the college. She has been working for the Groff Racing Stable and has interned at Hanover Shoe Farm, Nandi Farm, and most recently has spent six weeks working for Jimmy Takter. Besides having experience in the racing end of the sport, she also has worked with embryo transfer, stallion collection, and foaling mares.
Brittany is not only talented on the track; she is also talented “on the track”. She is a cross country runner and has been named a 1st team All MAC Conference runner and Delaware Valley College’s Most Valuable Woman’s cross country runner in 2007.
Her drive and passion for the sport of harness racing and her achievements in school and within the community were the primary factors that led the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association to select Brittany Schwartz to receive the inaugural edition of the Dewey Degree Scholarship.
USHWA would like to thank everyone who submitted a resume and ask that all who are still eligible next year, re-apply for the 2010 edition of the Dewey Degree.
(USHWA)
Pictured left to right in the photo are: Tim Bojarski, Priscilla Schwartz, Brittany Schwartz, Jeff Gural, Ray Schnittker, Dustin Ross and Jason Settlemoir.