N-W Music Parents Club hands out scholarships

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, June 22, 2006

The Music Parents Club at Niagara-Wheatfield High School recently awarded its annual scholarships to deserving students who have been in the music program throughout middle and high school.

This year, eligible graduating seniors had to write an essay about “What Music Means to Me” in order to be considered for one of the three $250 general scholarships.

After a jury examined and evaluated each essay, Cyle Bolents, Tim Cline and Justin Tompkins were selected at the scholarship recipients.

For the first time, a fourth $250 scholarship was added in memory of James Sikorski, a 1999 graduate of Niagara-Wheatfield and music student who died of cancer during his sophomore year at college. Matt Maracle was named the recipient of this additional scholarship, which was donated by the Sikorski family.

Christina Custode received the annual $2,000 scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior who will major in music in college. Custode, who will attend the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, was also presented with a $500 scholarship from the American Federation of Musicians 106-209. According to AFM representative Jim Shober, Custode was one of only four students in Western New York to receive this scholarship, which recognized her excellence in music throughout high school, where she won numerous awards at the state level.