Finkelson - Scholarship
ALLEN J. FINKELSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers' Association annually bestows the Allen J. Finkelson Memorial Scholarship, which is named in memory of one of harness racing's marketing legends.
Finkelson was one of the great marketing ambassadors for harness racing. His promotions, while at Monticello Raceway and then Pompano Park, were world renowned in addition to the many great sports and celebrity people whom he was friends with and helped promote harness racing. Finkelson was inducted into the Communicator's Corner of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame and was honored with the Proximity Award for his contributions to promoting the industry. He passed away at age 71.
Since its inception, this scholarship fund has helped deserving young people realize their career dreams with grants for continuing education in the equine and communications industries. Applicants must be a Florida resident and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. The Scholarship is administered by the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers' Association.
Four Receive Florida USHWA 2018 Allen J. Finkelson Scholarships
Coral Springs, FL (September 13, 2018) - The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has announced four candidates who will receive awards this year from the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship fund was established in memory of Hall of Famer Allen J. Finkelson, the former Vice President of Public Relations at Pompano Park and longtime Chairman of the Board of the national USHWA organization
“There were 13 candidates that were eligible for the scholarships.” said Thomas H. Hicks, who chairs the scholarship committee. “Our committee worked diligently in deciding who would be the winners. We are very pleased to have had so many applications this year and it was not easy making the final selections.”
The top scholarship winner of $1,000 was Shiselle Povedano and three students, Ashley Ferrato, Jessica Hallett and Jaimeelee Medoza, will each receive $500.
Preference for these scholarship awards were given to a student(s) majoring in journalism, communications or equine related studies. On average, there has been up to $3,000 awarded annually in scholarship money.
Applicants must be a resident of the state of Florida and currently accepted or enrolled in a fully accredited college or university in the United States. Criteria for selection include community service, academic achievement, and leadership.
Shiselle Povedano of Coral Springs is in her senior year at the University of Florida heading towards duel degrees in public relations and economics. She currently had a GPA of 3.75 and is on the Dean’s List. Shiselle is also a co-founder and vice president of the Association for Media Professionals. She recently worked as part of the photography crew for the SuperCon Convention in south Florida and does community service with the CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services, an at-risk youth prevention center. She was the only unanimous choice of the Scholarship Committee.
Ashley Ferrato of Palm City is in her freshman year at the University of Florida and is a pre-veterinarian student. She attended South Fork High School and had a GPA of 3.87. She has grown up with her family owning horses her entire life. She worked the past summer as an assistant for the Animal Care Extraordinaire Vet Clinic, competes in Dressage and was an assistant barn manager for Treasure Coast Dressage. Her extracurricular activities included USEF Varsity Lettering and is an officer of Future Farmers of America.
Jessica Hallett of Margate has entered her sophomore year at Nova Southeastern University going for a degree in Biology and Behavioral Neuroscience and has a GPA of 3.69. She is the daughter of trainers John & Michelle Hallett of Margate and has spent most of her life around harness racing. Jessica’s extracurricular activities are quite extensive including the NSU Equestrian Club, President’s 64, Broward Sheriff’s Office Police and Fire Cadet Program and many more groups. And Jessica is becoming an accomplished journalist and has been writing feature stories on harness racing for Harnesslink.com for more than a year.
Jaimeelee Medoza of Port Charlotte is entering the University of Central Florida as a junior and has a GPA of 3.54 and is studying towards a degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing. She was Dean’s List the past two years at Florida Gulf Coast University. An avid singer, Jaimeelee performs at local churches, nursing homes and has also worked for Habitat For Humanity. She also worked on the school newspaper as a news writer, worked in radio and on the Yearbook Committee.
For more information about the Florida Chapter of USHWA and the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship, visit their website at www.ushwa-florida.com.
Jessica Hallett
Sarah Birkhold
Application Available for Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship 2024
Pompano Beach, FL (May 15, 2024) -- Steven Wolf, president of the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Racing Writers Association (USHWA), has announced that the chapter is now accepting applications for its 2024 Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship Awards,
The scholarship fund was established in memory of Hall of Famer Allen J. Finkelson, the former Vice President of Public Relations and Pompano Park and longtime Chairman of the Board of the national USHWA organization.
The Florida Chapter has continued its scholarship program, which is important for our young people to help them with tuition costs.
Preference for these scholarship awards will be given to students majoring in journalism, communications or veterinarian/equine related studies. Applicants must be a resident of the state of Florida and currently accepted or enrolled in a fully accredited college or university in the United States. Criteria for selection include community service, academic achievement and leadership. Applicants must have demonstrated scholastic ability with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and show evidence of community service and leadership through certificates, awards and/or letters of commendation.
Fully completed applications must be postmarked no later than July 15, 2024, for consideration of a late August 2024 award. Recipients may reapply annually for a maximum of four years. The application form may be downloaded by clicking below. Applications should be submitted/addressed to USHWA-Florida, Scholarship Committee, 601 N. Federal Hwy., Ste. 320, Pompano Beach, FL 33062. For more information or to receive an internet application, visit http://www.ushwa-florida.com or e-mail Thomas H. Hicks at renparlc@gate.net, or Steven Wolf at stevenwolf1956@gmail.com.
Bonilla and Hallett Receive 2020 Florida Scholarships
USHWA Florida Announces 2019 Finkelson Scholarships
July 17, 2019
Pompano Beach, FL – The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced two candidates who will receive awards this year from the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarships.The scholarship was established in memory of Hall of Famer Allen J. Finkelson, was the former Vice President of Public Relations at Pompano Park and longtime Chairman of the Board of the national USHWA organization.
“Both Sarah Birkhold and Jessica Hallett will each receive $1,000 from our Chapter,” said committee chair Thomas H. Hicks. “Sarah is a graduate student with a GPA of 3.9 at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Jessica is a college junior at Nova Southeastern University with a 3.4 GPA as a medical major. They are both outstanding students.”
Preference for these scholarship awards were given to a student(s) majoring in journalism, communications or equine related studies. Applicants must be a resident of the state of Florida and currently accepted or enrolled in a fully accredited college or university in the United States. Criteria for selection include community service, academic achievement, and leadership.
Both women have been prior winners of the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarships and are the children of harness racing parents.
Sarah Birkhold of Sarasota, FL is a third-year graduate student at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinarian Medicine seeking her doctorate in veterinarian medicine and is on course to graduate in May, 2021. She is on the Honor Society for the following groups, Alpha Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and the Collegiate Leadership and Achievement Association. Sarah is also Vice-President of the Chapter Society of Theriogenology, Secretary of the Food Animal Club and was President and Secretary of the Gator Collegiate Cattlewoman Organization.
Jessica Hallett of Margate, FL, has scholastic honors that include International Baccalaureate (IB), HOSA Barbara James Community Service Regional, State and National Service Awards, NSU Sharks Services Award, President’s 64, NSU Honors College, NSU Dual Degree, Student Leader of the Year Award and Star Of Life Award. This past year Jessica, who writes for Harnesslink.com, wrote a story that went national and she was awarded Honorable Mention in the John Hervey Media Awards. She is also on the NSU Equestrian Club and Team, Women’s Weightlifting Team, the Emergency and Disaster Medicine Club, Delta Epsilon Mu and Honors College.
For more information about the Florida Chapter of USHWA and the Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship, visit their website at www.ushwa-florida.com or go to their Facebook page at Florida Chapter USHWA .
Steven Wolf, President, Florida Chapter of USHWA
Clein, Melara, Hicks Receive 2021 USHWA-Florida Scholarships
Cayla Ray Smith, Sarah Clein Receive 2022 Scholarships
Finkelson 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Mills, Richards Receive 2024 USHWA-Florida Scholarships
Pompano Beach, FL (August 4, 2024) - The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced two candidates who will receive awards this year from the 2024 Allen J. Finkelson Scholarship program.
This scholarship was established in memory of Hall of Famer Allen J, Finkelson, the former Vice President of Public Relations at Pompano Park and longtime Chairman of the Board pf the national USHWA organization.
"Samantha Mills and Maya Andrea Richards will each receive scholarship funds from our USHWA Chapter," said committee chair Thomas H. Hicks. "They are outstanding students."
Preference for these scholarship awards is given to a student(s) majoring in journalism, communications, public relations or equine related studies. Applicants must be a resient of the state of Florida and currently accepted or enrolled in a fully accredited college or university in the United States. Criteria for selection also includes community service, academic achievement and leadership.
Samantha Mills of Coconut Creek is a sophomore at the University of Florida majoring in public relations. She has earned a 3.57 GPA. The daughter of Scott and Shannon Mills has been on the Fall and Spring academic honor roll and was named the outstanding social media account executive award winner for Alpha PR. She is also a Student Fellow at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and has been a public relations intern at the Florida House of Representatives,
Maya Andrea Richards of Ponte Vedra is a freshman at the University of Florida majoring in communications. She graduated from Ponte Vedre High School with a 4.0 GPA in the last two years. The daughter of David and Gwen Richards has been on the National Honor Society, National Science and English Honor Society and the Phi Theta College Honor Society, Shw was also a varsity track, basketball and lacrosse player.
For more information about the Florida Chapter of USHWA and the Allen J. Finkelson Scholaraship visit www.ushwa-florida.com or go to the Florida Chaoter USHWA facebook page.
From the Florida Chapter of USHWA
