Mikkelson and Komer Scholarship Recipients
Southside High School Valedictorian Class of 2009, Krissy Stoner was sidelined by a soccer injury. She used that setback to set herself up to score a much bigger goal – her college education. In her Community Foundation scholarship essay, she related how being benched changed her outlook and vision. Big brother, by nine minutes, Josiah (who ranked 3rd among SSHS seniors) wrote about his sister! The self-described procrastinator says Krissy’s constant presence and gentle pressure always positively affected his forward progress.
The Stoner twins are the youngest of five siblings in their modest household; Dad’s a teacher, mom works at the high school and both were thrilled to receive a financial lift. “We were both a little dismayed by the debt load we were going to incur,” says Krissy. Now, the “leg up” allows them the freedom to pursue their dreams – Krissy at Hobart & William Smith College, Josiah at Rochester Institute of Technology.
That’s just what our scholarship originators had in mind. Retired Elmira businessmen, Jack Mikkelson and Stuart Komer both confirmed their desire to “help someone else” by giving them an opportunity to pursue higher education. “It’s even more important today,” says Komer. “With fewer kids able to access jobs right out of high school, they need college to get ahead.” Both men credit the community for part of their success and want to keep the cycle going and growing.
“We always hope bright students will come back to this area and do the same for others,” adds Chemung Canal Trust Company’s Betsy Dalrymple. “So, even though we may never know where our scholarship winners take root and grow, it’s always worth sowing these local seeds.”
