McCandless Democratic Committee Scholarship Awardees

The McCandless Democratic Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 2019 awards of $1,000.00 scholarships to Nina Ruffolo and Roshie Xing and a $500.00 Honorarium to Kacey Yip. The awards were presented Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Town Hall.

Nina Ruffolo will attend NYU Shanghai in the fall to study International Relations. Her essay discussed the importance of a continued fight for civil rights and actual equality. During the 2018 elections, Nina had a fellowship with the Conor Lamb Campaign for Reelection before working for Emily Skopov. Within school, Nina co-leads Save the Children Action Network, a club that works to provide all children with a quality early childhood education. She also is a co-leader to Kids of America, a group that works to create peaceful and educational dialogue on current events. Outside of school, Nina is on the Leadership Committee for GirGov. There, she leads the Racial Justice Committee in the fight for improved police and community relations. Nina is the daughter of Cris and Tony Ruffolo of McCandless.

Roshie Xing will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall to study Mathematical Economics. Her essay discussed voter disenfranchisement and the importance of voting rights access in the United States to fulfill America's promise as a representative democracy. In the fall of 2018, Roshie worked with Emily Skopov's PA House campaign on data and opposition research, which was a valuable experience behind the scenes of a political campaign. At North Allegheny, she is president of the school's Model United Nations team, a past captain and current coach for the NA Euro Challenge team, and a student ambassador for Save the Children Action Network. In her free time, she has done community service work through National Honor Society with World Vision and Vincentian Home, plays flute for the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, and writes a politics/current events column for the NASH Uproar. Roshie is the daughter of Ruiling Zhang and Jianhua Xing.

Kacey Yip will be attending Washington University in St. Louis to pursue her interest in Psychological and Brain Sciences with a minor in Speech and Hearing as a pre-physical therapy student. Her essay highlighted the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how integral providing accommodations and ensuring clear communication are to establishing equality and a barrier-free world. Over the past four years, Kacey has been actively involved in the American Sign Language club, National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America, and service-based clubs including Interact Rotary and Key Club. Outside of North Allegheny, she has advocated for Save the Children Action Network and created the Emergency Medical Sign Language booklet to help bridge the communication gap between Deaf patients and hearing healthcare professionals. Kacey also volunteers at the Woodlands, Riding for the Handicapped of Western PA, UPMC Passavant, ALIVE Ministry, Animal Friends, and World Vision.

Peggy Malloy Amatangelo, Chair
McCandless Democratic Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee
Peggy Amatangelo, Chairperson
Joyceann Ditka
Jennifer Rapach

Melody Hannegan