City of Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, left, presents the annual Frank Gawronski Democratic Memorial Scholarship to 2024 Dunkirk High School graduate Marencia Bohn, pictured with her parents Marjorie and Andrew Bohn.
Marencia Bohn has been named the annual Frank Gawronski Democratic Memorial Scholarship recipient.
The scholarship is named for the late longtime Dunkirk Democratic Party leader who had an extensive and influential career as an educator and elected official after graduating himself from Dunkirk High School and also being a distinguished combat veteran of the war in Vietnam. Fundraising for the Gawronski scholarship will continue at the City Democrat picnic on Aug. 7, with tickets available by calling Treasurer Sharon Neratko at 716-951-0754.
Neratko can also accept non-picnic contributions to the Gawronski Memorial scholarship so it can eventually be perpetuated through the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.
Bohn is salutatorian of her Dunkirk High School class of 2024 and will now study musical theater at Long Island University. Bohn’s musical talent has already served the City of Dunkirk very well as she sang the National Anthem for many public events, including inaugurations and memorials.
In accepting the Dunkirk Democrats’ scholarship, a non-partisan award for a top Dunkirk student who has excelled in community service, Bohn eloquently writes of her enthusiasm to be a first-time voter later this year.
“Voting in the 2024 election is not only a right I will act upon in a few short months, thanks to the 19th and 26th amendments to our Constitution, but also a civic duty I am eager to partake in. The ability to vote is exciting not only to have a chance to write on my first ballot, as I watched my parents do for many elections, but also an opportunity to fulfill my power in our democracy,” she wrote. “As a teen, I know my voice may seem small but voting will be putting my voice out there about the future of my city, state, and country. I am eager to see if my fellow residents see prospects similar to my opinion, but I will also keep an open mind and accept differences.” “This election will be the awakening of my influence on government, and just the beginning of my voice as a small part of our whole community.”