Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship Program
Malcolm P. Crooks was one of the founders of the AWA, and many other conservation-oriented non-profit organizations throughout our area. Malcolm's outstanding contributions, both regionally and nationally, have fostered a greater public appreciation for conservation and the value in protecting the environment. Malcolm was actively involved with conservation since the 1940s. It is with great sadness that we marked his passing in May 2019.
To honor the lasting impact that Malcolm has had in our community, the AWA established the Malcolm P. Crooks Honorary Scholarship in 2014 to award a civic-minded New Hope Solebury-High School (NHS-HS) senior who has displayed excellence in the science and plans to continue his/her formal education in the broad field of physical sciences. The AWA scholarship honors Malcolm’s many outstanding contributions, regionally and nationally, which have fostered a greater public appreciation for conservation and the value in protecting the environment. Malcolm’s contributions in our community will forever serve as an excellent example of how one individual can make a lasting impact.
In 2017, the AWA created a separate restricted Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship fund to enable the scholarship program to forever serve as a way for our community to honor Malcolm’s many environmental contributions and benefit our high school students.
With your support, the AWA has awarded sixteen scholarships!
MALcolm P. crooks Scholarship Recipients
2024 Recipients - Sofia Tasoluk and Rena Xu
This year, we have awarded the Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarships to Sofia Tasoluk and Rena Xu! Both students served as co-presidents of the NHS Environmental Club and were volunteers with the AWA.
In the fall, Sofia will attend the University of Miami and plans to major in Environmental Science. She is also interested in policy and decision making for environmental issues. Rena plans to attend Carnegie-Mellon University and on Material Science Engineering to learn how to create systems to reduce waste in the environment and produce safe green energy.
Rena Xu, Sofia Tasoluk, and Jade Greene
2023 Recipients - Avery Mendola, Alma Ren, & Rina Notani
For the first time, we have awarded THREE scholarships to three very special people: Avery Mendola, Alma Ren, Rina Notani, congratulations!
“Avery, Rina and Alma were selected to receive AWA scholarships based on their scholastic achievements, community activities and their desire to pursue further education in the physical and environmental sciences,” said AWA’s president, Jade Greene. In the fall, Avery will attend Penn State University and plans to major in Environmental Resource Management. Rina plans to attend Drexel University and focus her education on biology and environmental science. Alma plans to attend Cornell University and major in Environmental Engineering. “Avery, Rina and Alma represent exactly the type of students the AWA wishes to honor in our Malcom P. Crooks Scholarship program,” Greene added.
2022 Recipients - Syndey Kanuga and Jude Hutkins
Syndey Kanuga, Jude Hutkins, and Michael Zolkewitz
Congratulations to the recipients of the the 2022 Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship: Syndey Kanuga and Jude Hutkins!
In the fall, Sydney plans to attend John Hopkins University and major in biomedical engineering. Jude plans to attend Tulane University and focus his education on environmental science.
"Sydney and Jude were selected based on their scholastic achievements, community activities and their desire to pursue further education in the physical sciences," said AWA's president, Jade Greene.
Every year, we award the MPCS to honor Malcolm, who was a force for good and environmental conservation in our area and nationally. Click the link in bio to learn more about Malcolm's amazing work and our scholarship.
2021 Recipients - Katharine Dougherty and Rylie Hepp
Michael Zolkewitz, Katharine Dougherty, Rylie Hepp, Jade Greene, and Les Isbrandt
Two New Hope-Solebury High School seniors, Katharine Dougherty and Rylie Hepp, received Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarships from the Aquetong Watershed Association this year!
Katharine will attend Pennsylvania State University and plans to major in Earth Science. Rylie plans to attend Northeastern University and focus her education on finance and sustainability policy.
Katharine also worked with the AWA as part of the senior APEX project, researching and promoting sustainability, and participating in our stream monitoring program.
2020 Recipient - ROBERT Murphy
The Aquetong Watershed Association has granted the 2020 Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship to Mr. Robert Murphy. Robert will attend the University of Pittsburgh and plans to major in Environmental Science. While attendin NH-S High School, he achieved an excellent overall grade point average and excelled in many AP science courses, including Environmental Science.
2019 Recipient - Jessica Steinberg
Jessica will attend the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and plans to major in Bioengineering or biology. At NH-S High School, she achieved an excellent overall grade point average and excelled in many AP courses. Jessica also served as an officer of the Environmental Club, volunteered as a junior fire fighter, and served on the New Hope Borough's Junior Council.
Mr. Chris Cook, a NH-S HS science teacher and member of the AWA Scholarship Committee, recommended Ms. Steinberg stating, "Jessica was a unanimous decision among those that have had her in class. She is an outstanding student and a wonderful person."
2018 Recipient - Claudia Koeppen
Ms. Claudia Koeppen has been awarded the Malcolm P. Crooks Honorary Scholarship.
On hand to present the award at New Hope-Solebury High School's June 13th Senior Award Ceremony was AWA's President, Les Isbrandt and Secretary, Jade Greene.
Claudia was selected to receive the annual AWA Scholarship award on the basis of her scholastic and community achievements.
Claudia will attend Duke University and plans to major in Chemistry. Claudia has excelled in every AP Science course offered at NH-S High School.
2017 RecipientS - Hannah RESZKA and Shaelyn Parker
In 2017 the Malcolm Crooks Honorary Scholarship was awarded to TWO Solebury High School Seniors, Shaelyn Parker and Hannah Reszka.
Shaelyn and Hannah were selected to receive the annual AWA Scholarship award on the basis of their scholastic and community achievements.
2016 RecipientS - Kelly Hayden
New Hope-Solebury High School senior Kelly Hayden received the 2016 Malcolm Crooks Honorary Scholarship from the Aquetong Watershed Association (AWA) on May 17.
2015 Recipient – Katherine Kowalchick
On May 21, New Hope-Solebury High School senior, Katherine Kowalchick, received the 2015 Malcolm Crooks Honorary Scholarship from the Aquetong Watershed Association. On hand to present the award was AWA Director and President, Les Isbrandt and AWA Director and Secretary, Jade Greene.
“Katherine Kowalchick was selected to receive the annual AWA Scholarship award on the basis of both her scholastic and community achievements. In addition, Katherine represents exactly the type of student the AWA wishes to honor in its Malcolm Crooks Scholarship program. Katherine will attend the Colorado School of Mines and plans to major in engineering. Her interest in this field of study developed from her desire to understand more about how best to balance science and economics with protecting the environment.”
2014 Recipient – Allison Russo
On May 27, 2014 New Hope-Solebury High School senior, Allison Russo, received the first Malcolm Crooks Honorary Scholarship from the Aquetong Watershed Association. On hand to present the award was AWA Director and Treasurer Les Isbrandt.
“Allison Russo was selected to receive the first annual AWA Scholarship award on the basis of both her scholastic and community achievements. In addition, Allison represents exactly the type of student the AWA wishes to honor in its Malcolm Crooks Scholarship program,” said Isbrandt, chair of AWA’s Selection Committee. In the fall, Allison will attend Boston University and plans to major in physical science with emphasis on neuroscience."
