The McCandless Democratic Committee Peggy and Vince Amatangelo Scholarship

The McCandless Democratic Committee awards scholarships to North Allegheny High School students planning to further their education. Scholarships recognize students who have excelled academically, are engaged in the community, and exemplify the values that we as Democrats hold dear.

The program was initiated in 2005 and has been consistently providing scholarships every year since then. The Scholarship program is funded through our events and generous donations from the community.

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2025 Awardees

2025 scholarships were awarded to the following students:

Sophia Brunger will be attending Slippery Rock University in the fall, studying Environmental Geoscience. She hopes that her efforts in environment justice will spark a real change. During her time at North Allegheny Sophie was the president of the Wellness Club, participated in the Climate Adventures Club, the Environmental Club, Stand Together, and was a Thrower on the Track and Field team. Outside of school she is an avid mountain biker who participates in Trail Pittsburgh volunteer efforts and was on the Pittsburgh North Mountain Bike Team. Sophia is committed to social justice, education, women's healthcare, and sustainability. Sophia is very grateful to the McCandless Democratic Committee for this scholarship and the opportunity to help in furthering her education.

Abigail Peigh will be a freshman attending Kent State University in the fall, in the Career and Community Studies Program. Go Flashes!!!While attending NA, I also completed a 2 year program at A.W. Beattie in Marketing and Advertising Design. I love everything theater and music, as well as photography and videography. That’s what I’m hoping to focus on at Kent State. One of my goals after graduation is to start my own business. It will focus on helping individuals with disabilities feel more confident in the workforce by providing an opportunity to gain work skills in a fun, safe and inspiring workplace.

Mikhaela Titus is planning to attend B Indiana University of Pennsylvania to study nursing. Throughout high school she was part of many clubs including National Honors Society, Key Club, and English Honors Society. She was elected president of Key Club and was able to bring volunteer opportunities to the nearly 200 members of the organization. Mikhaela has spent her time volunteering at Miracle League, Animal Friends, and many other organizations. She also founded a club at North Allegheny called Heart for Her, where she was able to raise funds and hold donation drives for a local women’s shelter. In her spare time, she works as a cover manager at Hello Bistro. Mikhaela is very thankful to the McCandless Democratic Committee for their generosity and opportunity!

The Scholarship Committee

Peggy Amatangelo, Chairperson

Rita Martin

Mimi Pasternak

Jennifer Rapach

Deb Sagan

Recent Awardees

2024 Awardees

Ava DiGiacomo will attend American University to study Journalism and Political Science in the honors college.

Mackenzie Volpe is a graduating senior at North Allegheny Senior High School. She will be attending The Ohio State in the fall, studying chemistry on a pre-medicine track

Collin Wang will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, where he currently hopes to major in Economics and minor in Statistics and Data Science.

2023 Awardees

Madi Eschenbach will attend the University of Akron to study Political Science and Psychology at William’s Honors College.

Sierra O'Neil is starting at the University of Pittsburgh this fall and will be studying Digital Narrative and Interactive Design.

Benjamin Quint will study Global Development at Cornell University in the fall, following a full-time research fellowship with the USDA.

2022 Awardees

Quinn Volpe is headed to American University in the fall to study audio production and journalism.

Coleman Walsh is a North Allegheny student graduating in the class of 2022, after which he will study Cognitive Science at the University of Delaware.

Claire Majerac - Honorarium Claire will be a freshman at Case Western reserve university in the fall.

2021 Awardees

Campbell Schweninger received a $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollar) Scholarship and she will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.

Ashna Patel received a $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollar) Scholarship and she has chosen the University of Pennsylvania for her future matriculation.

2020 Awardees

Kendel Barber - We are pleased to announce that Kendel Barber is the recipient of the 2020 McCandless Democratic Committee Scholarship. -

Vincent Raitt - will be going to college, he will be studying economics and political science.

2019 Awardees

Nina Ruffolo will attend NYU Shanghai in the fall to study International Relations.

Roshie Xing will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall to study Mathematical Economics.

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.

2018 Awardees

Jordan Farrell will be attending The Catholic University of America located in Washington DC in the fall to study political science.

Matt Como will be attending Penn State University in the fall to study engineering.

2017 Awardee

Julia C. M. Maruca will be attending Boston University Kilachand Honors College.