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For more than two decades, generous community support and donations have enabled the McEldowney Academic Scholarship Foundation, established in memory of Richard L. "Mac" McEldowney, to award nearly $400,000 in scholarships to hundreds of local Blair County students. Funds for our scholarships are raised through Mac's Irish Bash, our sole annual fundraising event, held annually in March at the Blair County Convention Center. A pizza party was held for the 2024 scholarship recipients and family members at the Catholic War Veterans Post 1691 to congratulate and wish them the best as they continue on with future endeavors. Shown are (from left): seated -- Makenzie Soellner, Tyrone Area High School; Caylin Harris, Tyrone Christian Academy; Lilliana Coppeta, Altoona Area High School; Marlee Baum, Altoona Area High School; Samantha Brandt, Bishop Guilfoyle High School; Megan Diehl, Central High School; Payton Gregg, Central High School; Paige Weimer, Hollidaysburg Area High School; and Patricia Pluebell, Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center. Standing -- Scott McEldowney, committee trustee; Noah Kelleher, Bishop Guilfoyle High School; Elijah Ransom, Hollidaysburg Area High School; Aden Diehl, Altoona Area High School; Eileen McEldowney, committee chairperson; Hunter Hatch, Great Commission Schools; Vincent Cacciotti, Bellwood-Antis High School; Heather Diehl, committee trustee; Mike McDonough, committee president; and Brittany Hatch, financial secretary. Absent from photo: Olivia Confer, Altoona Area High School; Emma McCloskey, Altoona Area High School; Austin Burk, Altoona Area High School; Kimberly Bennett, Bellwood-Antis High School; Olivia Baney, Bellwood-Antis High School; Caden Schenk, Central High School; Katlynn Klett, Claysburg-Kimmel High School; Bridgette Miller, Great Commission Schools; Daniel Kelley, Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center; Connor Bennett, Tyrone Area High School; Claire Carper, Williamsburg High School; Zane Kuchenbrod, Williamsburg High School; and Zoe Holahan, Committee Scholarship winner. High school seniors and parents throughout Blair County can obtain information to apply for the McEldowney Academic Scholarship from their school guidance counselors or at macsfund.org.