The Fredonia American Legion Post 59 Women's Auxiliary recently hosted a reception in recognition of three applicants for its Department of Education Scholarship and its 2026 Girls State participant. The event included Auxiliary members, the students, and their parents.
Katherine Fortna, who graduated from Fredonia High School in June, received the 2026 Auxiliary Department of Education Scholarship and was presented a certificate and gift card. She will be attending Cornell University in the fall and study human ecology. Fortna was a student member of Fredonia's Board of Education and a Rotary Youth Exchange student to Brazil, was involved in Model United Nations, a Quest student leader, a Student Council representative, and a performer in musicals and choirs. Her work experience included working through the Rural Health Care Education in Warsaw via the Health Care Career Opportunities Program. Fortna, upon completion of her studies, desires to give back to the community where she was raised and feels she can be a part of a solution for those who struggle accessing quality health care.
The other two scholarship applicants were Allison Hellwig and Olivia Balch, who were not in attendance but were acknowledged for their participation in the selection. Both are equally focused on their education and careers, and acquired lengthy resumes that include school, community and church activities.
Rosemary Gugino, who will enter her senior year at Fredonia High School in the fall, was named the 2026 Girls State recipient. She shared her experience of participating in Girls State in Brockport and was explicit that each girl played roles in passing bills and participated in governmental duties. Gugino had just returned from Girls State and was traveling to Washington, DC to intern under a member of Congress.
Pictured, from left to right: Fredonia American Legion Post 59 Education Representative Joan Loewer, Department of Education Scholarship recipient Katherine Fortna, Auxiliary representative to Girls State Rosemary Gugino, Coast 59 Commander Stacie Erick. Submitted photo
