The United States Harness Writers Association’s chapter in Florida has announced the four candidates that will receive awards this year from the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship fund was established in memory of Hall of Famer Allen J. Finkelson, the former VP of public relations at Pompano Park and longtime chairman of the board of the national USHWA organization
“There were 13 candidates that were eligible for the scholarships,” said Thomas H. Hicks, who chairs the scholarship committee. “And our committee worked diligently in deciding who would be the winners. We are very pleased to have had so many applications this year and it was not easy making the final selections.”
The top scholarship winner of $1,000 was Shiselle Povedano and three students, Ashley Ferrato, Jessica Hallett and Jaimeelee Medoza, will each receive $500.
Preference for these scholarship awards were given to a student(s) majoring in journalism, communications or equine related studies. On average, there has been up to $3,000 awarded annually in scholarship money.
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 include community service, academic achievement, and leadership.
Shiselle Povedano of Coral Springs is in her senior year at the University of Florida heading towards duel degrees in public relations and economics. She currently had a GPA of 3.75 and is on the Dean’s List. Shiselle is also a co-founder and vice president of the Association for Media Professionals. She recently worked as part of the photography crew for the SuperCon Convention in south Florida and does community service with the CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services, an at-risk youth prevention centre. She was the only unanimous choice of the Scholarship Committee.
Ashley Ferrato of Palm City is in her freshman year at the University of Florida and is a pre-veterinarian student. She attended South Fork High School and had a GPA of 3.87. She has grown up with her family owning horses her entire life. She worked the past summer as an assistant for the Animal Care Extraordinaire Vet Clinic, competes in Dressage and was an assistant barn manager for Treasure Coast Dressage. Her extracurricular activities included USEF Varsity Lettering and is an officer of Future Farmers of America.
Jessica Hallett of Margate has entered her sophomore year at Nova Southeastern University going for a degree in Biology and Behavioral Neuroscience and has a GPA of 3.69. She is the daughter of trainers John and Michelle Hallett of Margate and has spent most of her life around harness racing. Jessica’s extracurricular activities are quite extensive, including the NSU Equestrian Club, President’s 64, Broward Sheriff’s Office Police and Fire Cadet Program and many more groups. And Jessica is becoming an accomplished journalist and has been writing feature stories on harness racing for harnesslink.com for more than a year.
Jaimeelee Medoza of Port Charlotte is entering the University of Central Florida as a junior and has a GPA of 3.54 and is studying towards a degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing. She was Dean’s List the past two years at Florida Gulf Coast University. An avid singer, Jaimeelee performs at local churches, nursing homes and has also worked for Habitat For Humanity. She also worked on the school newspaper as a news writer, worked in radio and on the Yearbook Committee.
For more information about the Florida Chapter of USHWA and the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship, visit ushwa-florida.com.
(USHWA)