GCTA Community

Gates Chili Teachers' Memorial Scholarship

update: October 25, 2004

Gates Chili High School Staff v. Students Basketball Game

Fund raiser for Gates Chili Teachers' Memorial Scholarship

Friday, February 15, 2002 was the date of the annual Senior-Faculty Basketball Game at Gates Chili High School. This annual event provides superb entertainment for the high school students as well as being the major fundraiser for the Gates Chili Teacher's Memorial Scholarship. Gary Oehlbeck, Dan Hickey, Joan Stevens and Amy O’Brien coordinated this year’s event. The players included Jim Briggs, Jason Benham, John Brondon, Bill Dadey, Gary Oehlbeck, Bill Christina, Troy Jeffers, Dan Hickey, Aaron Johnson, Eric Johnson, Jim McLean, John Unson, Dirk Sipes, Jerrod Starbird, Dean Myslivecek, Chris Varlan, Pat Coughlin, Ellen King, Beth Blaufuss, Robbie Lewis, Sandy Train, Joan Stevens, Nancy Swanson, Laurie Jeffers, Chris Spinelli, Stacy Lauricella, Erin Abbatta, Ann Burgett, Martha Capotelli, Laura Capolina, Kathleen Bailey, Chris Cramer, Martha Busek, Sandy Foley, and Tonya Folwell. Due to the hard work and play of all these people, we were able to raise over $2100 for the scholarship fund. Thanks to all who participated!

The Gates Chili Teachers Association sponsors a college scholarship program for Gates Chili High School graduating seniors. Each year, the faculty of the GC HS play against the students in a fundraising basketball game. Tickets are sold to the event and the proceeds are matched by a donation from the GCTA. Last year,, $2132.00 was raised by staff and students in ticket sales resulting in a contribution of over $4200.00 to the scholarship fund.

The Scholarship Fund originated in 1961, and became the Fannie Dauchy Scholarship in 1963, in honor of a devoted and dedicated teacher who died in an automobile accident late one night after directing a school play. In 1972, the name of the award was changed to the Gates Chili Teachers' Memorial Scholarship. Over the years, donations have been made to the scholarship fund by family members and the GCTA in memory of other Gates Chili teachers who have passed away during their teaching careers. Other organizations and individual teachers have also made contributions to the scholarship fund over the years. In the forty years since its inception, more than $100,000 has been awarded to over 200 students.

Each year a committee of teachers reviews the applications of qualifying seniors. The scholarship criteria includes, but is not limited to: good citizenship, high scholastic standards and the need for financial assistance. The monetary amount of the scholarship and the number of scholarships awarded in a given year, is somewhat discretionary on the part of the Scholarship Committee. In each of the past twenty years, six students, on average, received awards of approximately $600.00 each. Teachers from any grade level or building who are interested in serving on the Scholarship Committee should contact their building representative, or one of the GCTA officers.

In 2002, seven GC HS seniors were awarded scholarships of $750.00 each. ( 2002 Scholarship winners)