Sandra Kaufman, chairman of the co-sponsored SOA of New York/Yonkers Raceway Scholarship Committee, has announced that John McDermott Jr. is the winner of the 2017-2018 Scholarship Award in the amount of $5,000. The second place award of $3,000 went to Christopher Regina and Olena Hauser picked up the third place scholarship award of $2,000.
John McDermott Jr. recently received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He is currently enrolled for the fall at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. John’s father, John McDermott, races horses at Yonkers Raceway and around the east coast.
Christopher Regina recently graduated from Mahopac High School in Mahopac, New York. He will be continuing his education this fall at the University of Albany where he will be pursuing a degree in Finance and Business Administration. Christopher’s father, Anthony Regina, has campaigned Standardbreds at Yonkers Raceway for more than 20 years.
Olena Hauser is currently attending Pace University’s Lubin School of Business in New York City where she is majoring in International Business. Hauser also received a scholarship last year from SOA of NY/Yonkers Raceway, finishing in a tie for second. Olena’s stepfather, Timothy Hauser, is longtime horse owner campaigning top trotters including Classic Martine and Frau Blucher.
“We were very pleased to have 12 very strong applicants for this year’s award,” noted Kaufman. “The point totals were very close this year and so many of the students displayed a strong combination of academic achievement and community involvement. 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. This year’s scholarship was renamed in memory of Jo Ann Hertlein, a longtime office administrator at the SOA of NY offices who passed away in December.
(SOANY)