Scholarship 2011
Grand Knight Mike Madden and Scholarship Chairman Dean Adams awarded the 2011-12 Memorial Scholarship, given this year in memory of PGK Sanford “Sonny” Acree, to John Paul Ferraro of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. The presentation was made at ‘JP’s graduation on May 21.
JP received a number of awards at his graduation. These included the Citizenship Award, the Academic Excellence Award ( 93 % ‘A’ average overall with no class less than 90%) and also the Presidential Award for maintaining an ‘A’ average in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
JP was also recognized as a member of the Academic Cup Team and National Honor Society.
We were honored to have Sonny’s widow, Mary Ann Acree with us at the presentation and to be able to recognize her as we honored Sonny by presenting the Scholarship in his name.
From my remarks at the presentation:
Sonny Acree was a man of integrity and honesty. He was always true to his word, a “champion of the underdog”, and he accepted people as they were, striving to give them a chance to better themselves, no matter their past.
God was very important to him. He valued service and faithful stewardship of God’s gifts, especially in nature. He also valued the Knights of Columbus and the service they do. His main and lasting gift to Bishop Ackerman Council was to launch our Holy Donut Trailer program more than 30 years ago, which has allowed the Council to help our families, Parishes, and community. It is the principal source of funding for this Scholarship.
He loved his family. Everything he did had some connection to his family, and all five of his children attended Catholic schools.
Sonny valued education. Even though he dropped out of school to enter military service in World War II, he continued his education following the war by attending evening classes, reading and studying until he was able to do anything he put his mind and heart to. He always wanted to learn more.
Mr. Acree would be very proud to have this honor of helping someone further their education in a Catholic environment.
The Bishop Ackerman Council Memorial Scholarship is awarded yearly on a competitive basis. Applicants are evaluated on Academic Merit, Financial Need, an essay on “The Value of a Catholic Education”, their service and volunteer activities, and a letter of recommendation. The Scholarship is only valid for attendance at Saint Henry District High School, the Catholic high school for our District. For more information, please see the Scholarship Information Page.
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