2022 Mason FOREVER Foundation Award winners announced

The Mason FOREVER Foundation awards scholarships honor of Mason Sawyer Monteleone. He was interdisciplinary health science major student at the University of Florida in Tallahassee when he tragically died in a car accident at the age of 21. Monteleone was interested in becoming a physician assistant or an orthopedic surgeon. He graduated from Canisius High School in Buffalo and attended middle school at Lewiston-Porter.

Scholarships are awarded each Aug. 16 to students who are enrolled in an accredited university/college in the U.S. and pursuing a degree in the medical, health or fitness fields.

This year’s recipients include Lewiston residents Lucas Heffler, a graduate of Lewiston-Porter High School, who is a chemical engineering major at Syracuse University; and Lucia Sanchez, a Lew-Port, graduate who is a biology (premed) major and business minor at SUNY Geneseo; and Madelyn Fike, a graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School who is a premed major at Seton Hall

Heffler was awarded a Mason FOREVER Foundation Scholarship in the amount of $3,000, based on his course of study, grade-point average, commitment to the medical professions, sports involvement and community service.

Sanchez was awarded the first Mason FOREVER Foundation Niagara Pioneer Scholarship. She earned $3,000 based on her course of study, GPA, commitment to the medical profession, sports involvement (including playing for Niagara Pioneer travel soccer), and community service.

Fike was awarded a Mason FOREVER Foundation Scholarship in the amount of $2,000, based on her course of study, GPA, commitment to the medical professions, sports involvement and community service

Other awardees included Brooke Pecorella of Alleghany, an occupational therapy major at Gannon University, $1,000; Desiree Killey of Midland, Michigan, an occupational therapy major at Saginaw Valley State University, $500; and Taneh Anderson of South Jordan, Utah, a health sciences major at Salt Lake City Community College, $500.

The foundation supports the community and youth interested in medical, health, fitness and sports.

Presently, the Mason FOREVER Foundation (via Got Sneakers) is collecting used or new sneakers and cleats. Drop off locations are at Village Fitness Club Lewiston, Lewiston Dance, the Monteleone residence, and 190 Oliver St., North Tonawanda. Its major fundraising event is an annual 5K that is held in May/June.

Visit www.masonforever.com to donate, or to learn more.