From staff reports
Six 2022 high school graduates from Venango County were awarded $500 scholarships from the faith-based Together We Can coalition for essays they wrote.
The students were asked in the essays to define social justice and explain how it relates to the “golden rule” of treating others how one wants to be treated.
The six winners were:
Adam Luther, son of Rachel and David Luther of Franklin and a Franklin High School graduate
Abby Williams, daughter of Olivia and David Williams of Franklin and a Rocky Grove High School graduate
Natalie Doty, daughter of Abram and Jamie Doty of Stoneboro and a Franklin High School graduate
Gabrielle Miller, daughter of Brad and Dawn Miller of Limestone and a Venango Catholic High School graduate
Rosalynne Ferraro of Franklin, daughter of Dave Ferraro and Veronica Santee of Franklin and a Franklin High School graduate.
Here are some thoughts from each of the scholarship winners about what they learned from writing the essays:
Heeter said “writing about social justice and its relation to the golden rule has taught me that with unity, understanding and respect social justice can be strived for and eventually achieved.”
Williams said “the issue with social injustices is not only the fact that a large majority of our country does not recognize this as a serious problem, but it is that it does not hurt one specific group but instead is a trickling problem that in one way or another will eventually affect you, or someone you know.”
Luther said “anyone can advocate for social justice simply through the act of treating others how oneself wants to be treated — with respect, with love and with acceptance.
Miller said “through this experience, I have learned that the Golden Rule is truly the cornerstone of social justice and should be the guiding light for all action toward equality and equity.”
And Ferraro said “social justice is a very complex issue, but if we as a society can approach these social issues in an understanding, tolerant and respectful light, we can navigate the future to include justice for all and fair treatment of marginalized people.”
Jeff Polley, a member of the Together We Can leadership team, has said the essay contest is designed to allow students to “research their own definition (of social justice) and make their own judgments.”
The endeavor to reach out to all high school seniors in Venango County grew out of a similar essay effort Polley conducted in previous years at Venango Catholic in which cultural diversity scholarships were awarded.
Together We Can members have focused on the importance of education and the need to reach out to the area’s young people of all races while they are in school.
Heeter is attending the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh to study business administration-pre law.
Williams is attending Pitt to study biology or engineering.
Luther is attending Penn West California (previously California University of Pennsylvania) to study communications disorders with a goal of becoming a speech therapist.
Doty is attending Westminster College to major in molecular biology in order to pursue a career in pediatrics or research.
Miller is attending St. Francis University in Loretto to major in nursing with a minor in American sign language.
And Ferraro is attending the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, to major in biology.
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