The York Suburban Dollars for Scholars organization is establishing a one-time, four-year Ronald Provard Scholarship in memory of the district’s long-time teacher and business manager.

Ron Provard died on December 15, 2017. Contributions in his memory were designated for the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars program, which he was instrumental in launching more than 20 years ago.  The funds from those contributions will become the core of the new scholarship, which will be supplemented by other YS Dollars for Scholars income to fund the four-year award.

YS Dollars for Scholars was established in 1998 as an outgrowth of the York Suburban Alumni Association.  Ron had retired as Assistant to the Superintendent and business manager a year earlier. Anxious to remain involved with the district, Ron became a co-founder of the YS Dollars for Scholars program.  At that time, $25,000 was needed to establish the endowment fund at the York County Community Foundation. Ron was involved in raising those funds for the original scholarships and then the establishment of an endowment fund in 2001.

Born in Waynesboro, PA in 1933, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Shippensburg University and his Master’s Degree from Temple University.

Ron served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

He began teaching at York Suburban High School the year the school opened in 1958.  Ron later served as the district’s business manager and secretary to the YS School Board.  For his many years of service, the district’s administration center is named in his honor.

In addition to his school-related activities, Ron was involved with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Grace UCC church.

Contributions to the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars program should be mailed to 1800 Hollywood Drive, York, PA 17403.

Submitted by Mrs. Ellen Freireich

York Suburban High School has once again been recognized as one of America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report.  The high school was identified as one of 2,211 silver medalists (500 schools were recognized as gold medalists) from among the over 28,000 high schools in the country.  

The criteria for selection includes performance on state assessments, the performance of historically underserved students, graduation rate, and college readiness determined by student participation and performance on Advanced Placement exams.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that YSHS has been recognized by U.S. News.  In 2015, the high school also earned a silver medal, followed by bronze medals in 2016 and 2017.  

More information about the recognition can be found at www.usnews.com

Aidan Fryar is the recipient of the one-time Ronald Provard Scholarship at York Suburban High School. The grant, awarded as part of the YS Dollars for Scholars program, was established in memory of Ron Provard, a long-time teacher and business administrator in the York Suburban School District.

An 18-year-old senior at York Suburban, Aidan will receive $2,500 for his first year of college and $1,000 a year for each of the following three years. The award was presented by Alice Provard, the widow of Ronald Provard.

Aidan is deferring his college acceptance at BYU-Provo for two years to serve a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Service mission in Cauayan, Philippines. After his mission trip and college, he hopes to pursue a medical career. He is the son of Vicki and Ryan Fryar.

He is well-known in York County as a champion swimmer, having been a State Swimmer for all four years of his high school career.  

Aidan Fryar is shown with Alice Provard, widow of Ronald Provard.

In addition to swimming, Aidan is also on the track team and competed on the cross country team in his senior year. He has also participated in multiple triathlons. He received the District III Academic Recognition Award and a Sportsmanship Medal.

An Eagle Scout, his project involved creating a bench around a tree on the playground of Valley View Elementary School.

A member of the York Suburban Honor Roll, he is also vice president of the German Honor Society.

Submitted by Mrs. Ellen Freireich

Earlier this year, the York Suburban Girls Basketball Team, recognized by the York-Adams League for their outstanding sportsmanship, were awarded the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award. This distinction made it possible for the team’s seniors to apply for scholarships available through the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund. Mrs. Swartz refereed girls high school basketball from 1981-1995.  Her fellow York County Interscholastic Athletic Association officials, set up a sportsmanship award and scholarship after her death in 1997 to honor Mrs. Swartz’s dedication and example of excellent sportsmanship on and off the court.

On Monday, May 21, representatives of the scholarship fund presented scholarships totaling $57,000 to five senior members of the team at the School Board of Directors Meeting.  Kennedy McKee received a $15,000 scholarship and Briaunna Embrey-Banks was awarded a $12,000 scholarship. Gianna Batty-Harrison, Katherine Mooney, and Ali Reinecker each received scholarships worth $10,000.

York Suburban Dollars for Scholars is pleased to announce the following awards for the 2018-19 academic year, totaling $36,750.  In all, we have 11 new awards going to 8 students and 19 renewable awards for support going to 25 students for the 2018-19 academic year. Congratulations to all recipients!

New Awards for the Class of 2018

Claire Barley: Richard D. Evans Scholarship Fund ($1,000 non-renewable) and Clarabeth Grossman Scholarship ($1,500 renew at $1,000)

Steven Burchett:  Clarabeth Grossman Scholarship ($1,500 renew at $1,000)

Aidan Fryar:  Ronald Provard Scholarship ($2,500 renew $1,000)

Alana Hyunh:  Robin Worley Myers ($1,000 renewable) and the York County Community Foundation Moore-Stauffer Scholars award ($1,500 non-renewable)

Athin Ishaq:  David R. Black Memorial Scholarship ($1,000 renewable)

Maya Lehman:  York County Community Foundation Pearson Scholarship ($1,500 non-renewable)

Brooke Ruth:  York County Community Foundation Bob Potts Memorial Scholarship ($1,000, not renewable)

Jake Taylor:  York Suburban Class of ’62 Fund ($1,000 renewable) and the York County Community Foundation Doris Schwartz Scholarship ($4,000 non-renewable)

Renewed Awards for 2018-19

Class of 2015: Danielle Cardone, Jensica Isiminger, Tagan Lehr, Claudia Mingora, Jordan Sandoval, and Hanna Yu

Class of 2016: Jonathan Abel, Susan Lloyd, Nicole Peritz, Jessica Renjilian, Paige Robison, and Paul Um

Class of 2017:  Jacob Isiminger, Jack Korver, Sophia Spadatto, Peter Wager, and Carl Young

Class of 2018 Awardees (pictured left to right): Jake Taylor, Brooke Ruth, Athin Ishaq, Alana Hyunh, Claire Barley, Steven Burchett, and Aidan Fryar. 

Awardee Maya Lehman with YS Dollars for Scholars President, Karen Evans.