News
May 31, 2016Three Schenectady Area Students Win $1000 Upper Union Street Business Scholarships
The Upper Union Street Business Improvement District (BID) has announced its three 2016 $1000 scholarship winners. They are Christopher Baldwin, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School; Tiyana Faith Epperson, Schenectady High School and Lauren M. Farina, Niskayuna High School.
In Chris Baldwin’s winning essay, he cites the important role local small businesses play in the economic growth of the community. His understanding of local business is partly attributed to his having been “surrounded by small business owners” all his life. His grandfather and uncle, both named James McGuiness, are long-time Schenectady businessmen who set an example through business success and charitable “giving back”. Chris has completed course work associated with Schenectady County Community College as well as Honors, Advanced Placement and University (SUNY Albany) in the High School courses. He carries a 91.53 GPA and ranks 15th in his Notre Dame – Bishop Gibbons class.
Tiyana Epperson ranks 38th in a class of 575 with a GPA of 3.4. She has completed class work in a variety of International Baccalaureate and Honors courses and has earned 22 Carnegie Credits. She plays violin with the Schenectady High School and Union College Community Orchestra and intends to major in the Music Industry / Music Business at the College of St. Rose. According to her Guidance Counselor “She a sense of responsibility and maturity that you don’t see in most teenagers”. Her essay cited “Local businesses are a great way for a city to regulate its economy,” by keeping resources within in the community. She babysits and works as a page at the Schenectady County Public Library.
Lauren M. Farina’s essay focused on the social aspects of small businesses and how they drawing customers by being unique and providing variety and character. Lauren has been the starting catcher on the Niskayuna High School Varsity Softball Team as well as on various club teams. She is on the National Honor Society and has taken at least one Advance Placement or Honors course each of her High School years. She carries a 3.71 GPA. She is employed at the Niskayuna Starbucks.
Upper Union Street Business Improvement Street (BID) Co-Executive Director Madelyn Thorne and Board Vice President Peter Musler co-chaired the scholarship committee. “It’s inspiring to review what these young people have accomplished,” says Peter Musler. “Their grasp of the role and value of small businesses like those on Upper Union Street is mature and thoughtful. Congratulations to all.”
The Upper Union Street BID is a designated business district of the City of Schenectady. Composed of about 100 individual, independent businesses with unique characteristics, it has become a shopping destination for customers from throughout the Capital Region. The scholarships are funded by private donations and from the proceeds of special events like the Pony Rides at the upcoming Strawberry Fest & Art Show on Saturday, June 18 and a 5 K race set to be run during the annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 1. The web site is www.upperunionstreet.com.
